Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santa Clara (Agenzia Fides) - "Human society and social order must receive their primary power from a multifaceted action guided by the conviction of members of the community toward the common good." So wrote the Blessed Pope John XXIII November 29, 1959 to the faithful to Cuba for the First National Catholic Congress. The Commission of Culture of the Diocese of Santa Clara prepared the celebrations. The event was structured around the assemblies of the four branches of Catholic Action. There was a candlelight procession in the evening, with torches from Cobre, after crossing the country, culminating in the Civic Square, now Revolution Square, where Mass was celebrated for the closing of the Congress in the presence of the image of the “Virgen de la Caridad” (Our Lady of Charity), with the participation of about 1 million people, and the Plenary Assembly of Catholic Action.
The commemoration that was held on November 28 and 29 at the Diocesan Library in Santa Clara not only recalled the event, but also wanted to observe from a fresh perspective, the challenges of the Church, trying to determine the task of Christians today. There was also a photographic exhibition of these 50 years and during a roundtable with the participation of some journalists, there were various testimonies on the work that has taken place in this time.
Even Cubans in Miami recalled this great event with celebrations. In their letter, also sent to Agenzia Fides, they write: "The Virgin of Charity had mobilized all the people of Cuba, the Cuban bishops had called everyone together, all Catholic organizations had joined with Catholic Action. Catholic schools also attended and throughout the country there were conferences, advisories, and announcements in just three months. This demonstrates the vitality of a Church committed to the common good of the nation." Cuba currently has 11 dioceses, an area of 100,860 square kilometers, and 11,184,023 inhabitants. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2009)
