Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Camagüey (Agenzia Fides) - “As we prepare for the Marian Jubilee Year, in honor of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the image of Our Lady of “La Caridad,” we hope that the example of holiness left by Father Olallo may awaken in all Cubans the desire to return to God and remain in Him...of going with Mary to the encounter with Christ, as He is the face of the true love lived out by Fr. Olallo and that receives the name of charity, just as our Virgin Mary of Cobre...” This was what the Bishops said in their Message issued upon the Beatification of Fray Jose Olallo Valdes, entitled “Father Olallo, a gift from God to the Church and for the Cuban people.”
The beatification will take place on November 29, in a Solemn Mass which will be the first ever celebrated in Cuba in the Square in front of the church dedicated to Our Lady of “La Caridad,” in Camagüey, the city in which Father Olallo lived for 54 years, serving the sick and needy. The Mass will be presided by Cardinal Joseph Saraiva, as special envoy of the Holy Father, and will be concelebrated by Archbishop Juan de la Caridad Garcia Rodriguez, Archbishop of Camagüey and President of the Cuban Catholic Bishops' Conference.
Fr. Olallo will be the second Cuban to be beatified, and the first ever to be beatified in Cuba. For all intensive purposes, it is as though he were the first, as he is much more popularly known and venerated on the island as a saint, given that the first blessed, Jose Lopez Piteira, was only born in Cuba, the son of Spanish immigrants who remained only a few years on the island before returning as a boy to Spain with his parents, and dying there as a martyr in 1936.
In the Bishops' message, they describe the life of the new blessed, highlighting how the virtue of charity “was lived out by him with a courageous and creative, generous spirit towards those who found themselves in desperate situations, never worrying about his life, his health, the wear on his body, or fatigue,” turning the hospital into “a great family, in spite of the many differences among the patients.” They also recall how Fr. Olallo “prayed in the morning, afternoon, and evening, walking down the “Calle de los Pobres,” a street that is now named after him, helping the poor materially and spiritually. He helped the imprisoned, gave food to the hungry, and evangelized through his famous evening talks in which he educated many in the faith, saving marriages and reconciling enemies. In this manner, he became a father and mother to a countless number of people.” This made him a person loved by all, and upon his death, a monument was erected in his honor, by popular demand, and a street, city square, and home for the elderly were all named after him.
The Bishops then reflect on the question as to what it is that God expects of Cubans, upon receiving this gift of Fr. Olallo's holiness. The ask that “we become enthusiastic with his example.” “May we know how to value the great love with which parents care for their incapacitated children...or other people who spontaneously offer assistance to others.” It is also an example of how “we should trust in the power of prayer...” and thank God for the gift of “so many religious dedicated to taking care of children, elderly, and sick, and the many Hospitaller Brothers of Saint John of God, who have for over 400 years been taking care of those who suffer in body and spirit.” They also hope that with Fr. Ollao's example, “many youth may think about a possible vocation to priestly or religious life, and respond with generosity to the call of God.”
“May the example of patient and heroic charity of Fr. Olallo help us all, especially those who perform the delicate service of promoting the common good...” the Bishops concluded.
The Cuban Bishops' Conference has been promoting preparations for this celebration for some time now, to spread information on his life and testimony and allow for a more profound celebration of the event. The Archdiocese of Camagüey has distributed a 100-question pamphlet on the historical, cultural, and religious background of the new blessed, to aid in this preparation. There have also been frequent pilgrimages to his tomb, in Saint John of God Church, where his remains have been venerated since 2004. The Holy Father Benedict XVI has sent a special greeting to the Cuban people, upon the occasion of this beatification, in the Angelus address on November 23. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 24/11/2008)
