The Priests of the Sacred Heart Open a New Mission in Cuba

On the occasion of the centenary of the Founder’s death, the Superior General, Fr. Carlos Luis Suarez, celebrated the sending of three Dehonians on a mission to Cuba on December 8, 2025. Cuba thus marks the ninth Dehonian presence in Latin America.

Since the opening of the very first Dehonian ad gentes mission in Ecuador in 1888, the Priests of the Sacred Heart, faithful to the spirit of their founder and driven by the love of Christ, have continually carried the Gospel to various peoples in Latin America. Following Ecuador (where the mission was opened on two separate occasions), Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, and Colombia, Cuba officially marks the ninth Dehonian presence in Latin America as of December 8th, the day of the celebration of the Immaculate Conception. The opening of this mission is another step forward in realizing Father Dehon’s missionary project, 100 years after his death.

Therefore, we share with you this reflection on the new mission in Cuba, for which the entire Congregation prayed during the Dehonian Memorial Day on November 26th.

FROM ECUADOR TO CUBA, THIS DAY OF GOD – REFLECTION

From the first mission in Ecuador to the opening of Cuba in 2025, one thread remains unbroken: total availability in the service of the Lord. As a Congregation, we continue to listen to Jesus and venture into deep waters. Cuba presents itself in a context marked by economic hardship, lack of freedom, and a Church that lives in simplicity and resilience. Both realities share social weaknesses and challenging realities, but also the possibility of embodying the reparation of the Heart. This memorial day is, therefore, pedagogical: it reminds us that being faithful to our charism does not represent a sort of nostalgia; rather, it is a renewed source of pastoral creativity.

In this sense, the Dehonian presence in Cuba becomes a sign of hope and continuity of Father Dehon’s charism: to be there where the Heart of Jesus suffers, in the little ones, the poor, and the abandoned. Just as Ecuador represented a bold beginning in 1888, today Cuba opens up a horizon of radical dedication.

In Cuba, we Dehonians are called to exercise closeness, spiritual accompaniment, and the promotion of hope. This mission does not consist in great works, but in patient sowing and witnessing to fraternity. It echoes the first oblation of Fathers Blanc, Grison, Lux, and so many other Dehonian confreres, which is now being revived in a new time.

“As disciples of Father Dehon, we want to make union with Christ in His love for the Father and for all the principle and center of our life.” (Cst 17).

Let us pray for the new mission in Cuba, and for the Fathers Adolfo Oropeza, SCJ, Javier Luengo, SCJ, and Brother Dennys Vélez, SCJ, who bring the Dehonian charism to Cuba, so that the Lord may bless them and accompany the Cuban people in their hopes and challenges.