Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez gathered June 19, 2026, with the priests and deacons of the diocese at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola for an evening of study, prayer and reflection on Magnifica Humanitas.

We very much need time for silence. The world in which we live is filled with so many distractions due to instant media and communications. Through our cellphones, laptops and iPads, we are in constant contact with others as well as with all that is going on within the world. We know things as soon as they happen, and many times it is difficult to know what the reality is since the communication of events takes place through the perception and persuasions of others. We also communicate what we think is reality with our own particular understanding. We certainly need silence in our world today to help us to understand better what is really going on and to know ourselves better as well. Noise does not make for reality, and many times makes it difficult to hear God. Pope Leo is an excellent example of listening in the midst of much noise.

Jesus continually reminds us of the importance of silence and of getting away by ourselves to pray in order that we might come into God’s presence as well as to understand ourselves better. In the Gospels, we often find the Lord going off by Himself to pray in silence and inviting His disciples to do the same. Most times, Jesus is interrupted by the crowds that come to Him to whom He always gives His attention. However, what He gives them comes about through the time He spent in silence with His Father. His example is much in keeping with His words to us, “When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret” (Mt 6:6). It is very difficult to live in a world where silence is not present to the extent that the noisiness of the world distorts its reality. We need silence to know God, ourselves and reality.

Father Varela’s legacy belongs to several lands. Cuba remembers the educator and patriot who awakened a nation’s conscience. Spain was the setting of his courageous defense of constitutional government and human freedom. New York remembers the missionary priest who evangelized and accompanied generations of Irish immigrants. Florida preserves the memory of the place where he completed his earthly pilgrimage.

At a time when migration, education, religious freedom and human dignity remain pressing concerns, Venerable Father Félix Varela continues to offer the Church a compelling example. He taught people to think, encouraged them to live in freedom and, above all, led them to Christ through the faithful exercise of his priestly ministry.

On the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, also called Corpus Christi, June 7, 2026, faithful worldwide joined in public processions with Jesus, present in the Eucharist, witnessing faith and love for Christ.