The 500 of San Cristobal

This Friday, November 15, as has happened for centuries in Havana, Saint Christopher, accompanied by a crowd that followed his image and that of the Virgin of Charity, walked the streets of his town on the eve of the celebration of the 500 years of founded.

The procession, presided over by Cardinal Juan de la Caridad García, archbishop of Havana, left the S.M.I. Cathedral towards Empedrado Street and had its first stop in the San Juan Bautista Park, after passing in front of the Bodeguita del Medio, where a sincere silence was the demonstration of respect offered by those present.

“Whoever wants to be great, let him become a servant of all. (…) Help us, Lord, to put aside our pride and seek Your Truth” That is what Father Riberto Fernández, parish priest of Regla, called at the stop made before leaving Havana Street to continue through Brazil.

At another stop, this time near the Plaza Vieja, the priest highlighted that Saint Christopher achieved sainthood because he became a follower of Jesus and suffered martyrdom for his faith. After highlighting how much sadness misunderstandings for religious reasons bring to souls, guided by Father Fernández, those present asked in one voice: “Lord, be our refuge and consolation.”

The image of San Cristóbal, whose name means bearer of Christ, continued in procession, after crossing the Plaza Vieja, through Muralla and Oficios streets, to exit to the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, from where it continued through Amargura and Aguiar, to finish again in the Cathedral.

Once there, Cardinal García recalled that the founders of the city proclaimed their faith in God with the mass that founded the last settlement of Havana.