Church sends forth Hispanic Apostolic Movements for Jubilee Evangelization

By Priscilla Greear - Florida Catholic

MIAMI | At the bayside spiritual oasis of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity, Father Rafael Capó challenged over 150 leaders of Hispanic Apostolic Movements of the Archdiocese of Miami to rise, evangelize and climb “to the heights” in their journey with Christ. He called them in Jubilee Year to embrace charity, respect God’s creation and love (all) their neighbors, building bridges of Gospel love and reconciliation across the stormy seas of polarization.

Hispanic movements leaders gathered for spiritual refreshment at the Shrine, known as La Ermita de la Caridad, on March 15, 2025, for the Día del Envío de los Movimientos Apostólicos Hispanos, or Day of Sendoff of Hispanic Apostolic Movements. They represented 15 movements from Shoenstatt, a Marian movement focused on spiritual growth and renewal, and Camino del Matrimonio, which prepares couples for the sacrament of matrimony, to Cursillo de Cristiandad, which helps people live the Christian faith more deeply, and Legion of María, another Marian movement. Other speakers were Sister Maria Jose Socias of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Deacon Tony Perez.

Father Capó, vice president of mission at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, described how the Jubilee tradition originated in the Old Testament every 50 years for the Jews to remember their deliverance and focus on forgiveness, pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and renewal. When Christ unfurled Isaiah’s scroll in the temple, he fulfilled the Jubilee by proclaiming good news to the poor and liberty to the oppressed. “The successors of Peter have kept alive this spirit of the Jubilee Year, the Year of Grace, the Holy Year, living this Jubilee spirit of the Old Testament, but in the light of the mystery of the risen Christ.”

“As the universal Church, we are pilgrims on a pilgrimage, like the Israelites who went on pilgrimage to the Holy Temple of Jerusalem,” he said. “We are all going on a pilgrimage through the door that is Christ. Holy Doors are a symbol of the salvation of Christ.”

The Church held its first Jubilee in 1300 and now observes one every 25 years, in addition to extraordinary ones like the Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015. Father Capó called Hispanic leaders to live the Jubilee theme as “Pilgrims of Hope” with a spirit of gratitude, forgiveness and spiritual renewal through prayer and adoration. “In sickness and in health, in youth or old age, in any moment of life we are called to prayer.”

The Jubilee also challenges the faithful to embrace God in nature with “a Christian spirit of respect for creation” through simple practices like taking reusable bags and recycling. “We waste water when we know people don’t even have running water and have to walk to get clean water,” he said. “We are comfortable, and it leads us to not think about these things in a country of abundance.”

He highlighted the life of blessed Italian young adult Pier Giorgio Frassati, to be canonized this summer, who loved to climb mountains “to the heights” and discuss faith with friends on his outdoor adventures.

While global conflict rages, Father Capó called participants to build peace and goodwill, starting at home with family members, groups and neighborhoods. Elders are called to engage youth in their apostolic movements and youth can learn wisdom from their elders.

He challenged leaders to practice charity concretely, telling the story of how the 4th-century Roman soldier St. Martin of Tours encountered a beggar in the freezing cold and cut his cloak in half to warm him.  “Martin arrived in Tours and had a dream that it was Christ wrapped in half his cloak.”

Catholics must also build community to overcome the polarization infecting the Church. “We have to pray for unity because division comes from Satan. The spirit of the Jubilee is how can I be an instrument of communion and unity?” said Father Capó.

The day culminated with Mass at the Shrine celebrated by Archbishop Thomas Wenski. In his homily, the archbishop thanked the representatives of the Hispanic Apostolic Movements for their commitment to proclaim Christ’s salvation and invoked the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide them in answering God’s call.

He encouraged them to pick up their crosses and face challenges, not falling into a passive faith focused on devotions and comfort, but with disregard for people in need. He shared his “deepest thanks for the courageous labors that you carry out and encourage you to follow Jesus, obedient to the voice of God.”

Judith Padron, a member of the Legion of Mary, said that “this event inspires every apostolic movement on a yearly basis to engage ourselves to look for more souls for the kingdom. Our commission is to bring the love of God to everyone in whatever stage of life.”

Victor Rocha, vice president of membership for Serra Club of Miami, seeks to start a Spanish group to support vocations. He appreciated Father Capó’s emphasis on jubilee reconciliation, prayer and charity to encourage a deeper Lenten spirituality. “I’m trying to learn contemplative prayer, reading the book on ‘Open Hearts, Open Minds’ by Thomas Keating,” he said. “I’ve also decided to increase my almsgiving. I can maybe be a little more charitable.”

Attendees Klovys Castellanos and her husband, Jorge Salazar, participate with their family in Schoenstatt Miami. Castellanos was inspired to further embrace spiritual activities and her ministry as a catechist alongside her daughter. They attend Shoenstatt meetings both by Zoom and in homes. “Christ must be the center of all movements for there to be genuine fellowship,” said Salazar.

Their daughter Angelica Salazar, 25, likes connecting with other active young adult Catholics through Schoenstatt movement. “At my age, people tend to stray away from faith. Having people who share the (faith) with you helps a lot and reinforces the faith.”

Event organizer Fernando Gomez called it a day of “communion and mission” to support and connect with the diverse movements, from Horizontes de Cristiandad for older adults to Nueva Vida for those recovering from addiction. The Hispanic Apostolic Movements meet once a month at the Southeast Pastoral Institute in Miami, the regional office of the U.S. Bishops for Hispanic ministry in the Southeast.

Gomez and his wife, Laura, believe that “an hour a week is not enough to be Catholic.” They have served in Camino del Matrimonio for 20 years.  “They know they are not alone working by themselves in working in a movement,” he said.

Father Capó said that the annual commissioning day implements the U.S. Church’s National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, an outcome of the 5th National Encuentro. “It’s an important annual occasion for our leaders of the different Hispanic Apostolic Movements in the archdiocese for a recommissioning and commitment to mission that they are entrusted by the Church,” he said. “They are called to step up in this moment to not just be evangelized, but for the Hispanic movements to be agents of evangelization for the wider Church.”