25 Years of Service to Others
On September 2, 2025, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami celebrated the 25th anniversary of Fr. Willie’s ordination to the priesthood. This milestone reflects his unwavering commitment to his vocation, to the Catholic Church, and to the Belen Jesuit community.
The school community gathered in prayer to honor Fr. Willie, expressing gratitude for his leadership, humility, and dedication to forming young men in the Jesuit tradition of faith and service.
"Since Fr. Willie's ordination, his journey of faith has taken him through the jungles of Brazil, a school on the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and our own campus—always working with humility, integrity, and an open heart," said Mr. Roca ’84. "Today, we honor not just the years of his priesthood, but the spirit with which he has lived them—generously, joyfully, and always in service of others."
Fr. Willie’s commitment to the Catholic identity of Belen Jesuit is evident not only in his words, but in his daily witness. He celebrates Mass with reverence and joy, inviting deeper reflection, and reminds us that the mission of education at Belen is rooted in preparing students for more than success in life—it is about helping one another attain eternal life in heaven.
"Under his leadership, our school has flourished. He has strengthened our Catholic, Jesuit identity, reminded us of the importance of faith and service, and pushed us to strive for excellence in all things: academics, athletics, character, and most importantly, faith," said Student Council Vice President Javier Carreño ’26. "Fr. Willie has reminded us that Belen is not simply a school, but a family bound together by faith, brotherhood, and love. His example teaches us what it means to live the Jesuit mission: to be men for others, seeking the greater glory of God in all that we do."
As we give thanks for 25 years of priesthood and service, we pray for many more years of Fr. Willie’s inspiring leadership, example, and dedication to vocations. Click here to see the photo album.
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.