As part of the accompaniment of consecrated life and dialogue with the Cuban Conference of Religious men and women (CONCUR), the visit of Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, together with Daniela Leggio, Dicastery Office Head, took place in Cuba from 25 to 30 November 2025.
Cuba holds a vibrant tradition of faith and has experienced a rich ecclesial history over time. Today, the Church continues its pastoral mission in often simpler forms, as a presence of communion and closeness to the people. In a time in which many struggle to find deep meaning in life and the future, consecrated life – though limited in numbers– stands as a small flame of hope, precious and necessary.
This essential quality of the present calls for charisms to express themselves with discernment and fidelity to their identity, adapting to concrete situations and remaining close to the people. In this perspective, the presence of religious men and women coming from 65 countries makes the universality of the Church visible within the island’s ecclesial fabric.
In light of this richness of origins and gifts, the Pro-Prefect, Cardinal Fernández Artime, expressed his intention to raise awareness among the Superiors of Institutes so that, as far as possible, the presence of consecrated life in the country may be safeguarded and supported.
The program began on 25 November in Havana, where Cardinal Fernández Artime met with the religious men and women of the Archdiocese. The dialogue provided an opportunity to share experiences, challenges and hopes of consecrated life and to renew trust in the daily witness of consecrated persons. On this occasion, the Pro-Prefect emphasized the value of discreet fidelity and closeness to the people: “Consecrated life in Cuba is a sign of hope that is born from silent fidelity, humble service and concrete closeness to the people.”
On 26 November the delegation, together with the President of CONCUR, Fr. Ricardo Alberto Sola Ros, Sch.P., and some Council members, traveled to El Cobre. Here, the following day, 27 November, a meeting was held with consecrated men and women from the dioceses of Santiago de Cuba, Holguín and Guantánamo. The moment allowed for mutual listening and shared reflection on the mission of consecrated life in their respective particular Churches, highlighting the need to meet more often to support one another in mission. The day culminated in the celebration of the Eucharist at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, patroness of Cuba, a step that underscored the prayerful dimension of consecrated life and its rootedness in the faith of the people of God.
On 28 November, after Cardinal Fernández Artime returned to Havana, Daniela Leggio, along with CONCUR members, continued the visit to Camagüey. On 29 November a meeting was held with the religious men and women from the dioceses of Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila, in a climate of fraternal dialogue on key pastoral questions and concrete forms of collaboration and mutual support among communities and charisms.
During the meeting, Daniela Leggio emphasized the value of these moments of exchange, which strengthen communion and encourage a shared journey: “These days of encounter have strengthened communion and the desire to walk together, listening to the richness of the voices of every community and every charism. Coming here one also discovers so much beauty and the way in which the Kingdom of God makes itself present.”
The itinerary concluded on Sunday, 30 November, with the meeting in Santa Clara with the members of consecrated life of the diocese, a missionary presence attentive to the most vulnerable and rooted in ecclesial communion.
Throughout the journey, meetings with consecrated life in the various dioceses and some visits to particular communities, accompanied by shared meals and experiences, facilitated direct knowledge and offered valuable opportunities for fellowship and exchange.
At every moment, a common experience lived by consecrated persons clearly emerged: the ability to welcome, accompany and focus on the essential, in the simplicity of the Gospel.
For the Dicastery, it was a great gift to witness firsthand the fidelity of so many consecrated women and men who, even in challenging conditions, continue to live their vocation with simplicity, perseverance and dedication to the people of God. In this sign of communion and hope, the Dicastery renews its closeness to consecrated life in Cuba and encourages it to continue its mission, in fidelity to the gift received.
