INFORMATION ABOUT THE FRANCISCAN FRIARS IN CUBA

INFORMATION ABOUT
THE FRANCISCAN FRIARS IN CUBA

At present there exists in Cuba a Franciscan OFM Delegation dependent on the Province of Cantabria (Spain). Before the advent of the Castro regime, there were one hundred and eleven friars. The majority of them were forced to leave Cuba. However, about twenty brothers remained in the country. Initially they lived on their own; then, at a later stage, in small fraternities.

Throughout the past thirty nine years these friars have accompanied the people and shared in their hardships.

At present, there are sixteen solemnly-professed friars, two temporary-professed and five postulants. They are distributed in four fraternities: three in Havana and one in the town of Remedios in the Province of St. Clare.

The age-groups and countries of origin of the friars are as follows:

over 70 years old - 5 friars
60-69 years old -3 friars
50-59 years old - 3 friars
40-49 years old - 2 friars
30-39 years old - 3 friars
3 brothers are from Spain (Province of Cantabria)
3 brothers are from Mexico (Province of Jalisco)
10 brothers are Cubans.

In spite of the advanced age of some, the friars are involved in pastoral activites, in vocational promotion and in the formation of the candidates for the Order.They attend to some thirty towns and religious centres dedicating themselves to the celebration of the sacraments, catechetical work with young people and adults and to in personalized attention to many needy people.

The formation-house is located in Guanabacoa (Havana). Two temporary-professed friars and five postulants live with their formators and some elderly friars. For the next group there are hopes to prepare another house - the friary of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem - and to establish it as a novitiate. The prospects for more vocations are very encouraging.

The presence of the friars in Cuba since 1959 is like a genuine page from the "Little Flowers of St.Francis". They have maintained their presence on the island and have lived closely to the people, sharing in their struggles. Each time that I have visited our brothers in Cuba I have been edified by their joy and acceptance of the many forms of poverty as a privileged way of living Franciscan minority in the midst of a people who struggle for subsistence and liberation.

My last meeting with the brothers in Cuba was from October 28 to November 10, 1997 for the celebration of the Chapter of the Delegation.

Juan Telesforo Zariarrain, ofm
Minister Provincial

the above information was received at our office
today Wednesday, January 21, 1998

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Created / Updated Wednesday, January 21, 1998 at 18:43:18
by John Abela ofm for Communications Office - Rome
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