Guantánamo: Living Faith and Social Commitment

From December 5 to 11, we had the grace of experiencing a profoundly significant visit to the community of Guantánamo, in an atmosphere marked by simplicity, closeness and an authentic family spirit. We thank the Lord for this precious time he has given us: a time of sincere encounter, of mutual knowledge and of attentive discovery of the mission that the sisters generously carry out in this context. Throughout these days we walk together, sharing daily life, joys, challenges and silences, as true sisters and missionaries, united by the same call and the same desire to serve.

Throughout the visits we were able to get closer to the pastoral reality and the generous missionary commitment that the sisters live, first of all, in the parish of La Milagrosa and in its various communities in the mountains and rural areas. The visits to the communities of El Limonar, Ojos de Agua, El Salvador, San José Obrero, as well as to Caritas, were moments full of emotion, marked by the simple welcome, the living faith of the people and the close and attentive presence of the sisters with each person. These experiences touched our hearts deeply and broadened our view of the mission lived day by day.

The discovery of the parish of San José Obrero and its rural communities – Santa Cecilia, La Sombrilla, Maquecita, Maquey, Arroyo Hondo and Paraguay – allowed us to delve even deeper into the diversity and human and spiritual richness of this mission. Each community, each encounter and each gaze contained a history, a hope and a humble but deeply rooted faith, which moved and challenged us deeply.

During our stay we lived with special joy the feast of the Immaculate Conception in the parish of San José and, in particular, in the community of Ojos de Agua. The Eucharist, the shared meal, the music and the simple and sincere fraternity created an atmosphere of deep communion. We feel close to the people, to our brothers and sisters, and to God himself. This celebration was an intense ecclesial and fraternal experience, which nourished our faith, renewed our hope and strengthened our missionary commitment.

We also had the opportunity to participate in a meeting with the group of elderly and sick people. Sharing lived in an atmosphere of formation, listening and respect allowed us to touch with our hearts their concerns, their dreams, their joys and, above all, their inner strength and their admirable courage. Their faces, marked by life but illuminated by hope, were for us a moving testimony of faith and perseverance.

Another particularly powerful and emotional moment was participating in the training session of the ‘Faro, luz y guía’ (Beacon, Light and Guide) group in Punta Maisí, aimed at teenagers and mothers, as part of the Human Development Groups Project. The human and spiritual quality of the teachings imparted by the trainers, as well as the closeness, attentiveness and commitment of the participants, constituted an exceptional treasure and a true source of encouragement and hope.

We also had the great joy of visiting the Santa Isabela Nursery, in the Loma de Chivo neighborhood, a living, well-kept space, full of tenderness and creativity. The attention given to the children, the profoundly human climate and the dedication of those who work in this service touched our hearts and awakened in us a deep admiration for this educational work that carries the future.

Finally, we shared beautiful fraternal moments with our brothers and sisters CMF and had the opportunity to greet and briefly exchange with Msgr. Silvano Herminio Pedroso Montalvo, bishop of the diocese. The visit to the bishopric and the meeting with the diocesan priests were for us a rich and deeply enriching ecclesial experience, which strengthened our sense of belonging to the Church and our communion in mission.