By Jonathan Martinez - Florida Catholic
Photographer: JONATHAN MARTINEZ | FC
Marjorie P. Wessel, president of the Catholic Educators Guild, presents the Lumen Christi award to Bishop Agustin Roman's family as Archbishop Thomas Wenski and Kim Pryzbylski, archdiocesan superintendent of Schools, look on.
Photographer: JONATHAN MARTINEZ | FC
Bishop Agustin Roman's sister, Iraida Martinez, and her husband Jorge Luis Martinez look at the Lumen Christi award which they received posthumously on behalf of Bishop Roman.
The presentation took place during a Mass at St. Mary Cathedral June 10, the feast of Corpus Christi.
"We were baptized in order to receive Communion, in order to be in union with God � the gift of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ that brings us to the Father,� said Archbishop Thomas Wenski after the homily and before the award was presented to Bishop Rom�n�s family. �That was the whole purpose of Bishop Rom�n's life, to bring all people (by) preaching the Gospel to that union, to that communion with God and the Lord Jesus Christ.�
The award was presented by the Catholic Educators Guild, a group composed of Catholics who teach in both parochial and public schools in South Florida.
�The Most Reverend Agustin A. Rom�n was a true champion for Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Miami and truly a light of Christ,� said Marjorie P. Wessel, president of the Catholic Educators Guild.
Bishop Rom�n came to Miami in 1966, where he founded the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity. He died from cardiac arrest April 11, at the age of 83. Bishop Rom�n�s sister, Iraida Martinez, and niece, Ileana Martinez, accepted the award in recognition of the bishop.
"He accomplished everything that he wanted. He was able to continue his work until the end, and now his legacy is visible today,� said Iraida Martinez.
"He was the one who taught me everything about the Church, about the sacraments. I and all of us who were taught by him feel so proud today,� said Ileana Martinez. �He will always be present within us, inspiring us."
Other distinguished Catholics who have received the award include Miami�s second archbishop, Edward A McCarthy, and its third archbishop, John C. Favalora.
"As a teacher and as a priest he represented the light of Christ and he lived it every day,� said Carmen Castello, secretary of the Catholic Educators Guild. �He was a light for others to follow, an example of Christ."
Photographer: JONATHAN MARTINEZ | FC
Members of Bishop Agustin Roman's family pose for a photograph after the Mass where the Lumen Christi award was given to them in his honor. From left: Ileana Martinez, Esperanza Martinez, Jorge L. Martinez, Iraida Martinez (holding the award), Jorge Luis Martinez, Angelica Martinez and Veronica Martinez.
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