Father General sends off OAR missionaries to Cuba

PANAMA CITY—Last February 4, within the 11:30 AM solemn mass which he had presided over, the Prior General, Fr. Miguel Miro OAR, officiated the send-off rite for the four Recoletos missionaries bound for Cuba. The concelebrated mass was held at the Parroquia de San Lucas in Costa del Este of this city.

Fray Joel Naranja, former prior of the Recollect community of San Isidro Labrador Parish in Casian Island, Taytay, Palawan was among those four friars who volunteered to work in this island nation in the Caribbean.

The other three were: Fray Jairo Gordillo, Colombian, the appointed local prior of the new community; Fray Ismael Xuruc, Guatemalan; and Fray Noe Servin, Mexican, who represents the Province of San Nicolas of Tolentino. Frays Gordillo and Xuruc represent the Province of Candelaria.

This new international community in Antilla town, province of Holguin at the western section of Cuba will be directly under the Prior General who said, in one of his communications last year: “The brothers of this community will need prayer, wisdom and creativity to proclaim the Gospel to those who have not heard about Christ or live far from the Church.”

During the send-off rite, Father General himself imposed the missionary cross to each of the four friars.

In his latest text message to the Recoletos Communications early today February 6, Fray Naranja said they are still securing their visa for Cuba hoping to depart on February 14.

Father General will fly back to Rome, then proceed to the Philippines in time for the kickoff of the 7th Provincial Chapter on February 12, a Monday.