CAMAGÜEY.- Nine bells struck the attention of the present. The 13-year work of the Catholic Church in the territory together with the political and governmental authorities yielded fruit. Even the impetuous sun did not undaunted the great smiles and the finery of body and soul that were extended in each embrace and in every greeting; because the day of the inauguration of the Home Monsignor Adolfo Rodríguez is a feast among the faithful.

The facility with a capacity to serve 95 elderly people permanently, and 20 more during the day, has an area of 6 000 m² where they can enjoy outdoor areas with parks and areas for physical rehabilitation.

The center, with three floors, has elevators, consultations, nursing, pharmacy, laundry, hairdresser and barber, central sterile, local for occupational therapy, the residence of the nuns, and 45 rooms for grandparents, among other common spaces.

Since the first stone of the building was placed, on May 8, 2006, several have been the principal authors of this endeavour; among them was his inspirational recognition, Monsignor Adolfo, first Archbishop of Camagüey; Monsignor Domingo Oropesa, Bishop of Cienfuegos, and Monsignor Juan García Rodríguez, Archbishop of Havana.

The home will be attended by the congregation of the Camillian, present in 21 nations of four continents. With these three sisters, who have been in the province for nine months, the permanent entry of the order to Cuba was established, "this beautiful country and in this cozy town of Camagüey", in the words of Sister Celia, Superior General of the Camillian sisters. Our mission here is to make the elderly feel at home, to witness love and mercy. Faithful to the mission of San Camilo de Lellis to assist the sick as a mother does with the sick ones. "

Giorgio Lingua, Ambassador of the Vatican in Cuba, transmitted a message of affection and blessing from the pope to the present and responsible of the "Archbishop Adolfo" and pointed out that the Camillian will perform in the place "not only a social work but a work of love. Spaces like this should be the lung of the neighborhood, because it does so much good to attend and visit the elderly! "

Special moment was the remembrance of Camagüey’s Archbishop Wilfredo Pino to Mgr. Adolfo "The holy Bishop who made us trust in the Lord. The bishop of details, of affection to all alike, believers or not: He was the shepherd who knew his sheep and his sheep knew him. "

He also dedicated words of praise and gratitude to those who participated in the realization of this project, especially to almost 100 workers and technical personnel who worked daily as well as those who in recent months gave the last details to the home. They have "my personal gratitude, that of the Church and the people."

Before concluding he added, "Public health and the church we have given an example of how you can work in the common good because we are all in the service of the Cuban people." In that spirit, the home was officially opened by Archbishop Adolfo, just on the day of the birth of St. Camilo de Lellis.

An institution, which adds to the total of 40 care units in the province and the 13 households, in addition to the Father Olallo Home, under the slogan of the congregation of the Camillian do all the works well, sure that there is no greater work than the respect and care of our Elders.

  • Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez