UPDATE! PILGRIMAGE TO THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE ACU AND THE RESTING PLACE OF ITS FOUNDER
In anticipation of the planned pilgrimage to the resting place of ACU Founder P. Felipe Rey de Castro SJ, and in pursuit of further exploration of a cause of canonization, the pastor of the “iglesia de Reina” had to conduct an anthropological investigation. While the Cemetery of Colon records, today in the hand of the government, reflect his initial internment there the day following his death on February 12, 1952, they did not include his return to it after the remains were moved to the ACU Havana House chapel and later returned to the Cemetery on or around April 17, 1961, without the possibility of following standard protocols. This past weekend Fr. Jorge Luis Rojas conducted the investigation, identified the remains and is in the process of updating records, including addition of his name to the newest of two Society of Jesus tombstones that grace the holy ground.
On June 16 to June 18, 2023, Congregantes David Cabarrocas and Efraín Zabala will be joining the celebration of the centenary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Ignatius of Loyola parish, affectionally known as Iglesia de Reina, in Cuba. The parish serves as the headquarters of the Jesuits in Cuba, and is the tallest and, arguably, most beautiful church in Cuba. The ACU was established in its largest meeting room, which has been aptly designated in the name of Fr. Felipe Rey de Castro, S.J., our founder. His biography is scheduled to be published soon and will first be unveiled in that room.
David and Efrain invite two Agrupados to join them on this pilgrimage, which will include a religious ceremony at his resting place in Colón cemetery. The itinerary will include visits to the old Escuela de Belén, the University of Havana, the old Havana ACU House, the neighborhoods of Calvario (site of the old Jesuit seminary and ACU Via Crucis) and Coronela (site of the old Pius XII House of Spiritual Exercises). Room and breakfast complementary, but traveler must pay for visa and transportation expenses. Please note that these dates conflict with the ACU pilgrimage to the Holy Land (a few spots are still available). Contact Efrain_Zabala@icloud.com or +1(305)308-8544 at once for additional information on the Fr. Felipe Rey de Castro, S.J. pilgrimage.
