Venerable Félix Varela
Cuban priest and philosopher, exile in the United States and vicar general of New York
- Rank
- Venerable
- Kind
- Priest
- Life
- 1788 – 1853
- Era
- 19th century
- Countries
- Cuba, United States
Life story
He was born on 20 November 1788 in Havana, then part of the Captaincy General of Cuba. He studied at the San Carlos and San Ambrosio Seminary and at the University of Havana, and was ordained at the cathedral of Havana at the age of 23. He taught philosophy, physics and chemistry at the seminary; his students included future leaders such as José Antonio Saco and José de la Luz y Caballero.
In 1821 he was chosen to represent Cuba in the Cortes Generales in Madrid. After the Bourbon Restoration of 1823 he was sentenced to death and fled to Gibraltar and then to the United States.
He settled in the United States and founded the newspaper El Habanero, for which he found a printer in Philadelphia in 1824. In the late 1830s he became Vicar General of the Diocese of New York (sources give 1837 or 1839). Suffering from severe asthma, he retired to St. Augustine, Florida, where he died on 18 February 1853, aged 64. The decree declaring him Venerable is dated 14 March 2012 and was announced publicly on 8 April 2012.
Works and witness
- Ordained in Havana at 23 and taught philosophy and science at the seminary
- Elected Cuba's deputy to the Spanish Cortes in 1821
- Sentenced to death after 1823 and forced into exile
- Founded the Spanish-language newspaper El Habanero in the United States
- Vicar General of the Diocese of New York from the late 1830s
Saints from the same country
References
- Catholic News Agency, "Cardinals approve heroic virtues of Father Felix Varela"
- National Catholic Reporter, "Cuban-born priest renowned for his ministry in US declared venerable"
- Archdiocese of Miami, "Pope Benedict declares Father Felix Varela as venerable"
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.