Teachings of St. Francis Xavier inspire missionaries
Father Willie celebrated mass for the Belen Youth Missions participants and their families on June 12.
Sixty five students from Belen Jesuit will travel to La Estancita in the Dominican Republic from June 24 - July 2, 2017 to build a bridge for 5 communities. The mass was celebrated with St. Francis Xavier in mind, who is considered the patron saint of missionaries.
During his homily, Father Willie quoted St. Francis. “It is not the actual physical exertion that counts towards one’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but by the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken,” said St. Francis Xavier.
Father Willie reminded the missionaries that the work that they will be doing in the Dominican Republic isn’t meant to garner “pats on the back” instead it is meant to do God’s work and help people that truly need it. He warned that the work would be difficult and at times grueling in the summer heat but that they would be humbled and grateful for the experience once the bridge was completed.
Before the mass concluded, Father Willie blessed the crosses each participant will wear on the mission trip. Students also received their BYM polo and long sleeve shirt. The top three fundraisers – Sebastian Chamizo, Ricardo Mayo, and Eric Mena - were recognized for raising a total of $10,303. In all $130,000 was raised for this year’s mission trip.
Click here to view the photo album of the BYM Commissioning Mass.
BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: communications@belenjesuit.org
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: communications@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's 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 is situated on a 34-acre site in western Dade County, just minutes away from downtown Miami.