To the Band of Brothers: 90 Year Celebration
(Fr. Willie, S.J. ’87, gave this speech in front of the school community on March 31, 2026, to begin the school day in gratitude for the 90th birthday of Fr. Pedro Cartaya, S.J. ’54 and Fr. Lionel Lopez.)
Today we gather in gratitude, in joy, and in reverence to celebrate a rare and beautiful milestone: ninety years of life—ninety years of grace—lived by two faithful servants of God. To reach such an age is, in itself, a blessing. But to reach it as priests, as shepherds of souls, as men who have spent their lives in service to Christ and His Church, is something far greater. It is a testament not only to longevity, but to fidelity.
For nine decades, Fr. Cartaya and Fr. Lionel have walked with Jesus. Through times of great change in the world and in the Church, they have remained steady. They have preached the Gospel in seasons of joy and in seasons of trial. They have stood at the altar, day after day, offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass—quietly, faithfully, often without recognition, but always with love.
Think for a moment about what ninety years contains. It holds childhood dreams and youthful discernment. It holds the courage of a vocation first embraced, the years of study and formation, and the day of ordination—a moment that changed not only their lives, but the lives of countless others. It holds decades of ministry: baptisms that welcomed new life into the Church, confessions that restored souls, marriages that united families, anointings that brought comfort in suffering, and funerals that entrusted the faithful departed to God’s mercy.
Each of these moments tells a story—not just of duty fulfilled, but of love given. A priest’s life is not measured in achievements as the world counts them. It is measured in quiet acts of grace: a word of encouragement at the right moment, a presence beside someone in pain, a homily that reaches a searching heart, a prayer offered when no one else sees.
And so, today, we do not simply celebrate age—we celebrate impact. We celebrate lives poured out in service. We celebrate the countless souls who have been touched, guided, and strengthened because these two men said “yes” to God.
It is easy, perhaps, to look at ninety years and see only the passage of time. But in the Christian life, time is never empty. It is filled with grace. Every year, every day, every moment becomes an opportunity for God to work. And in the lives of these two priests, we see what happens when a person allows that grace to take root and grow.
Their lives remind us of the words of Scripture: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Not because their journey has been easy, but because they have persevered. They have remained faithful through the challenges, the uncertainties, and the changes that inevitably come with time.
They have also shown us something else—something deeply needed in our world today: the beauty of perseverance. In a culture that often values what is new, quick, and temporary, their lives stand as a witness to what is enduring. They remind us that holiness is not built in a moment, but over a lifetime. That faith is not proven in a single act, but in a thousand small acts of fidelity.
And what a gift their lives have been for us. Whether we are young or old, whether we are certain in our faith or still searching, their witness invites us to reflect. It asks us the questions Ignatius presents in his Spiritual Exercises: What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What will I do for Christ?
At ninety years of age, these two priests continue to teach us—not only through their words, but through their very presence. They remind us that a life lived for God is never wasted. That every sacrifice offered in love bears fruit. That even in the later years of life, there is still a quiet, powerful witness to be given.
Today is also a moment of gratitude. Gratitude to God, who called them, sustained them, and brought them to this day. Gratitude to their families, who nurtured their vocations. Gratitude to the communities they have served, who have walked alongside them. And gratitude to them for their generosity, their humility, and their unwavering faith.
We thank them for the countless hours spent in prayer, often unseen. For the times they chose to serve when it would have been easier to rest. For the ways they have carried the burdens of others, sometimes quietly, sometimes alone, always with trust in God.
And perhaps most of all, we thank them for their “yes.” A “yes” spoken many years ago, but renewed each day since. A “yes” that has echoed through the lives of so many people gathered here and beyond.
As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we also look forward with hope. Because their story is not only about the past—it continues in the present. Their lives remain a living testimony to God’s faithfulness, and their witness continues to inspire.
May we honor them not only with our words today, but with our lives. May we learn from their example. May we strive, in our own way, to live with the same faith, the same generosity, and the same trust in God’s providence.
And may God, who has begun this good work in them, bring it to fulfillment. May He bless them with peace, with joy, and with the deep assurance that their lives have borne great fruit.
Ninety years is a gift. Ninety years of priesthood lived with fidelity is a legacy.
Today, we celebrate that legacy. We give thanks for it. And we ask God to continue to bless these two faithful servants, now and always.
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.