Belen Youth Missions
For nearly 40 years, Belen students have participated in missionary activity in greatly impoverished areas of the Dominican Republic. In connection with other Jesuit priests of our Province (Antilles) who are serving in the Dominican Republic, we have engaged our students in service aimed at benefiting rural communities of different areas of that country.
Our students share life, faith and work with campesino communities who become our teachers in the faith, as well as friends in Christ.
Our students share life, faith and work with campesino communities who become our teachers in the faith, as well as friends in Christ.
Together with the local people, our students have participated in the construction of small schools, chapels, and bridges. In addition, we have been able to set up medical missions to these places with the help of Belen parents who are physicians or nurses.
Missions Over The Decades
List of 4 items.
-
1980s
1981 - Janey- Built an Elderly Center
1982 - La Cejita- Built an Aqueduct
1983 - La Cejita- Finished the aqueduct
1984 - La Cejita- Built a school house
1985 - La Cejita- Added classroom and built latrines
1986 - La Guama- Built a chapel
1987 - El Aguacate- Built a school house
1988 - Los Naranjos- Built an aqueduct
1989 - Rincón Largo- Built a chapel and an aqueduct -
1990s
1990 - Jumunuco- Built an aqueduct – Established a Makeshift Clinic
1991- Loma de los Ríos- Built an Aqueduct – Established a Makeshift Clinic
1992- Jamamú- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
1993 - Yaque Arriba- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
1994 - Yaque Arriba- Built Roads – Established a Makeshift Clinic
1995 - Yaque Arriba- Built an Aqueduct – Established a Makeshift Clinic
1996 - Yaque Arriba- Built Roads – Established a Makeshift Clinic
1997 - Janey- Provided Electricity - Established a Makeshift Clinic
1998 - Bambú- Built a School – Established a Makeshift Clinic
1999 - San Rafael del Yuma- Built a Fence for an Orphanage -
2000s
2000 - Los Arroyos- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2001 - La Piragua- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2002 - La Piragua- Built an Aqueduct – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2003 - Yarda- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2004 - Yaroa- Built an Aqueduct – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2004 - Monte Adentro- Build a chapel
2005 - Arroyo Caña- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2006 - Venú- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2007 - Sabaneta de Mata Grande- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2008 - Arroyo Blanco- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2009 - Pedro García- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic -
2010s
2010 - Loma de Comedero- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2011 - Pescado Bobo- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2012 - San Felipe Abajo- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2013 - La Piragua- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2014 - Hoyo de Perez- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2015 - El Puerto- Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2016 - Batey- Built a Bridge
2017 - La Estrancita - Built a Bridge
2018 - San Felipe Abajo - Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
2019 - Vaca Gorda - Built a Bridge – Established a Makeshift Clinic
Message from Father Willie
For over 30 years, Belen Jesuit has been taking its students to the mountains of the Dominican Republic to serve and be served by the beautiful people of Santo Domingo. It pains me to think that this summer will be the exception. Unfortunately, because of the current circumstances, I have decided to halt all preparations and reservations for the mission trip. It is a timely issue considering the pressure that the airlines are placing on us to make decisions sooner rather than later. Because my concern first and foremost is for our students, it is more prudent for now to cancel the summer mission trip. The business office will be refunding your initial payments and checks will arrive at the address on the check by April 15th.
It pains me to think that BYM will not take place. If, and only if, circumstances change and we see a clearing in the dark, pandemic clouds that hang over us, we can make arrangements to salvage the experience. But for now, it is best we act cautiously. I count on your prayers and support.
Auspice Maria,
Fr. Willie
BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain. The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline. In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty. The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow. Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.