On July 23, 2016., in the parish of Puerto Padre in Cuba, the Cuban Delegation celebrated with great joy and fraternal spirit, the first temporary profession of Fray Yoandri Silva Calzadilla, O.S.A., a youth from Holguin, who becomes the first Cuban Augustinian religious from the new presence of the Augustinians in Cuba. At this same event, the Cuban Delegation held the opening of the celebrations to mark the "10 years after the return of the Augustinians to Cuba.”
Father Aldo Marcelo Caceres Roldan, O.S.A., Superior of the Cuban Delegation, states, “It is part of our memory, the obvious signs of Augustinian tradition found in some corners of Havana, as in the heart and conscience of all those who have taken in our charism. This work is owed, on the one hand, to the American Augustinians, Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, who gave their lives for this land between 1899 and 1961. They left the Cuban people a significant cultural and historical heritage, especially the unforgettable figure of the Servant of God, Father Juan Joseph McKniff (1905-1994).”
He further notes, “ A particular sign of hope in our Delegation is the flourishing of vocations. At the moment we have a considerable number of applicants in Puerto Padre…. In August this year we will start the pre-novitiate, in the community of Havana, with two young men…. Along with them will live our newly professed brother, Yoandri Silva Calzadilla, who for the moment will start his formation in Cuba.”
Congratulations to the Cuban Delegation on this significant milestone!
Yoandri Silva Calzadilla professes first vows before Aldo Marcelo Cáceres, O.S.A., Superior of the Cuban Delegation.
