In the Footsteps of ‘Father Amando Llorente, S.J.’
Known as a "master preacher" and one of the most experienced retreat masters since St. Ignatius, the late Jesuit Father Amando Llorente left a profound legacy both in Havana and the U.S. until his passing in 2010. He was a mentor and spiritual guide to numerous university students, fathers, men, and their spouses who attended retreats under his leadership.
Father Llorente was instrumental in founding the Agrupación Católica Universitaria (ACU), an apostolate in Cuba inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. After the Cuban revolution, he reestablished ACU in Miami, later expanding it to Atlanta, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C. The organization continues to offer Catholic Ignatian formation to students and young professionals, helping them prepare for their spiritual, professional, and family lives.
Continuing the Mission
Father Llorente is now being considered for canonization, while ACU continues its mission with weekly Wednesday prayer and study meetings in South Miami, business luncheons, community service projects with local Missionaries of Charity, and father-son activities for members with sons in grades 6-12. David Prada, a senior director at the Archdiocese of Miami and an architect, highlighted the importance of individual apostolates in serving others and the Church, a principle he learned from Father Llorente.
"We all realize that we are in the same boat together, and ACU provides us with the formation and spiritual support we need to fully live out our faith in today's turbulent world," said Prada, who has taught confirmation and religious education classes at Corpus Christi Parish in Miami for over 26 years. Every Wednesday, he and his 87-year-old father attend an evening Mass and men's prayer/formation group hosted by ACU, strengthening their faith alongside other members.
Forming Young Professionals
ACU continues to host Ignatian retreats at Casa Manresa Retreat House in Kendall, focusing on forming men through different phases of their lives. The organization, originally established in 1931 by Jesuit Fathers Felipe Rey de Castro and later Amando Llorente, began in pre-revolutionary Havana and was reconstituted in Miami.
Father Llorente, who was one of Fidel Castro's teachers at Havana’s Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, was later expelled from Cuba along with the Society of Jesus. In Miami, he expanded ACU's focus to include young professionals from diverse backgrounds, attracting members like David Prada.
The current ecclesiastical director of ACU, Jesuit Father Jorge Luis Rojas, recently arrived from Cuba to continue the group's growth. He succeeded Jesuit Father Christian Saenz, now teaching in Rome. Despite leadership changes, ACU's mission to form young professionals in the faith remains unchanged. Members meet weekly for Mass, Bible study, and the annual Spiritual Exercises retreat, ensuring they stay on the right path.
ACU also has a branch for married couples called CANA groups, but its main focus is on forming good fathers, husbands, and sons. Every December, members gather in Miami for an international event and induction of new members. Membership is open to all and consecrated to Our Lady.
Mariano "Marty" Perez, ACU’s formation director for South Florida, serves on a committee promoting Father Llorente's canonization. The committee is collecting stories about Father Llorente's life and impact. "In Cuba, kids often lost their faith to socialism and communism," said Perez. "With a few good men, Father Llorente began to change society. He was not only a great priest but an amazing person."
Father Llorente's legacy lives on through the hundreds of ACU members who continue to be guided by mentors and support each other professionally and spiritually. "The ACU charism is men living out their lives consecrated to Our Lady, striving to be the best we can be," added Perez.
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