UPDATE ON THE SCJ's IN VENEZUELA
50th Anniversary of the SCJ's in Venezuela
On Monday, August 18, 2003 in Caracas at the parish of San Miguel the Archangel, the members of the SCJ community in Venezuela celebrated a solemn Eucharist in thanksgiving on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Fr. Manuel Mira, SCJ, in Venezuela. Bishop Saúl Figueroa, Auxiliary Bishop of Caracas, presideded. Fr. Gonzalo Arnaiz, SCJ, Regional Superior, was accompanied by a good representation of the parish community.
Fr. José Luis Segura, SCJ, introduced the Liturgy of the Word of the Liturgy with a reading that told of the vicissitudes of the arrival of Father Mira on August 17, 1953. In the homily, Fr. Gonzalo reminded the SCJs of the "Ecce, venio" - "Here I am" (Hebrews 10:9) pronounced by Christ as an expression of complete availability for God's plan of salvation.
Fr. José Garcia, SCJ, and Fr. Vicente, SCJ, the oldest SCJs in Venezuela, recalled their own experiences in the establishment of communities of San Carlos and Valencia.
All the religious renewed their vows, seeing this as the beginning of a new stage for the congregation in Venezuela which Fr. Gonzalo has called the "Reestablishment." Each SCJ received a Dehonian cross as a sign of their promise. The celebration concluded with an emotional "Happy Birthday" and a big ovation which expressed the gratitude of the loyal friends of the parish priests and those who left their home and their homeland in order to serve their brothers and sisters in Venezuela.
First Chapel dedicated to Fr. Juan Maria de la Cruz
September 6, 2003
On September 22, 2003, we celebrated the martyrdom of various Christians in Spain, among whom was Fr. Juan Maria de la Cruz, SCJ. For this reason the day before, Sunday the 21st, a chapel was dedicated to this devout man.
In Venezuela, Fr. Jesus Vicente, SCJ, proposed the dedication of the Quizanda Chapel (in the area that belonging to the Sacred Heart Parish of Jesus in Valencia) to this great man who gave his life testifying to the love of God.
The majority of the priests and religious gathered in the new chapel dedicated to Fr. Juan Maria de la Cruz to celebrate Mass. In his homily, Fr. Gonzalo spoke of the importance of martyrdom, which is not only a sacrifice and immolation, but also a witness - a martyr - to the faith.
Father Gonzalo added a special petition for vocations, asking Blessed Juan Maria to be a special intercessor for vocations. At the same celebration, Fr. Jesús Vicente, SCJ, gave thanks to the community, the Congregation, and to God for the support given for the reopening of the Chapel, the first dedicated to Blessed Juan Maria, SCJ.
