This is this English translation of Father Fernando Cardenal’s September 2010 testament – a selection of which, was read at his funeral recently in Managua. See the video of the sermon from the mass celebrating his life here (en español). Translation provided by Mark Lester, CGEE Central America Regional Director.
TESTAMENT
Why do I hope to go to Paradise after my death?
Soon I will celebrate my 77th birthday, and even though I am not retired and continue working, it is natural at my age to think, simply and without any drama, that death could be close. At any moment. A massive heart attack, a sudden rise in blood pressure (I do have hypertension), a car accident could take me to my death without being able to communicate with my family, my fellow Jesuits and my friends. That is why it occurred to me to write down now the reflections that I would like to be communicated at the hour of my death. This I do now. First, I will make some religious reflections, then some about the current situation of Nicaragua, and I end leaving two tasks for my Jesuit Superiors and family. Everything that I tell you comes from the very depths of my heart.
This blog post was written lovingly by Kathleen McBride, Central America Regional Director, in memory of a great man, Father Fernando Cardenal.
Father Fernando Cardenal – a Revolutionary for Love
For those of you who met Father Cardenal, we are sad to share the news of his death. On Feb 2nd, Father Cardenal went into the hospital for a hernia operation. His health began to deteriorate five days after the surgery as a result of septic shock due to peritonitis. After 18 days in the hospital he died in Intensive Care on Feb 20th.
For those of you who met Father Fernando on your journey to Nicaragua either recently or during the 80´s, you will remember a stunning tall white haired man with tender blue eyes who spoke of conversion, transformation, action and consequences – the story of a life dedicated to social justice.
Fernando was an unusual Jesuit. He joined the Sandinista Revolution clandestinely in the early 70’s during the struggle against the Somoza Dictatorship. After the overthrow of the dictator in 1979, he served as the National coordinator of the Literacy Campaign which brought the national illiteracy rate down from over 50% to 12.9% in a 5 month period. The effort won the highest award from the United Nations. Later he served as the Minister of Education during the Sandinista Revolution. Because of his involvement in the Sandinista government, Father Cardenal was expelled from the Jesuits in 1984 by the Superior General Father Kolvenbach at the insistence of Pope John Paul II. In 1997 Father Cardenal was reinstated to the Society of Jesus as his case was considered an authentic case of conscientious objection – the only case in 460 years of Jesuit history of a Jesuit expelled and reinstated.
His memoirs, now in English (Faith and Joy: Memoirs of a Revolutionary Priest) recount his journey from the time of his conversion in Colombia as a result of his experience with the poor in a marginalized neighborhood on the outskirts of the city of Medellin all the way to his entry into the Sandinista Front and his work in the Revolution, his expulsion from the Jesuits and his return to the Society of Jesus. His story is a remarkable story of love, hope and a lived out preferential option for the poor of a man of faith.
CGEE mourns the loss of this remarkable man whose life of commitment has touched so many.
Tag your study abroad photos with #AugsburgCGEE to enter!
The spring 2016 semester programs in Mexico, Central America, and Southern Africa will be hosting an Instagram photo contest from January 20 – May 20, 2016.
To be eligible to win a $50 gift card to Target, you must:
CGEE programs encourage thoughtful reflection during and after any study abroad experience. One student recently returned from our Central America semester program, has written a piece on her identity as a Malaysian citizen who came to the US to study as an International Student, then went on to be the only International Student in her study abroad cohort to Central America with a group of US citizens.
This is a guest post by James Tan, the parent of a CGEE semester student on our Central America program, Nicole Tan (Colorado College). He was able to visit her in Nicaragua during one of the last remaining weeks on the fall 2015 program.
Challenging, innovative and transformative, this outstanding academic program gives a connective learning immersion across Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. As a visiting parent, I observed first hand the diverse aspects; from faculty instruction to field coordinators, student engagement to coursework content, and immersive field exposure gained across the countries.
Katie is a junior at Duke University, currently studying abroad in Central America with CGEE. This is an excerpt from Katie’s blog. Her blog is a great resource for anyone considering study abroad in Central America!
What does flexibility look like traveling in Central America?
It looks like getting used to rescheduling your classes when they’re cancelled due to protests over corruption (Guatemala) or the building of a new canal (Nicaragua).
It looks like knowing your taxi or shuttle might not arrive on time, without letting that stress you out.
It looks like figuring out how to bathe in a little den with a pot of boiling water and two buckets.
It looks like not being scared to ask for directions every once (or twice) in a while.
It looks like being open to making mistakes while learning a new language and understanding that you won’t understand everything. And that’s okay.
…And it looks like realizing that sometimes the best experiences in life are the unplanned experiences.
This post was written by CGEE staff member Lucy Hardaker, who works at the Minneapolis office at Augsburg College.
The CGEE Central America semester students are some of the busiest study abroad students around. Not only are they going through an experiential program, but they are doing so amid a busy travel schedule! It was always difficult for me to fully grasp what a “Day in the Life” of a student must be like, but after my short visit to Nicaragua, I am beginning to understand.
First up was a full day of Nicaraguan sightseeing in the cities of Granada and Masaya, including the Masaya Volcano. This was a great introduction for both me and the students, as they had just arrived from Costa Rica only a few days earlier.
The next day, I learned what the academics of CGEE are all about. Students began the day with discussion, and then were taken to a local non-profit center (Coordinadora Civil), where we listened to a guest panel about getting the local youth involved with their country’s politics and social movements.
After lunch, I was given a tour of the Batahola Norte neighborhood where CGEE semester students stay while in Managua. Ruth Garrido guided me around multiple host families’ homes. Although I do not speak Spanish (Ruth translated for me), it was clear to see from happiness on each one of their faces that they thoroughly enjoyed hosting students.
The next day, I saw experiential education in action. Class began with a short film on the history of Augusto Sandino, followed by a discussion about the film, and a previously assigned reading. After the discussion, students were brought to Loma de Tiscapa – the site on which Sandino was executed, where there now stands a monument to him that watches over the entire city.
After only a few short days with CGEE Central America Students, I was finally able to see why our programs are so transformative with my own two eyes. Not only were the Central America staff some of the most friendly, welcoming, and dedicated individuals I have ever met, but the knowledge of the region’s history and culture combined with experiential education model is one of the best ways for students to truly understand the culture in which they are studying.
Post from Hannah Schmit, Augsburg College student who traveled to El Salvador as part of a winter break course. Hannah also recorded a YouTube video about her experience.
The crowded plane jostled onto the tarmac and my travel-wearied body snapped Alert. The piercing lights of distant planes cut through the dark blue haze of night. We had arrived in San Salvador. For the following ten days, I along with my classmates and professor, journeyed through the streets, cities, and lives of the people of El Salvador. We began in the city and were given invaluable experiences with church groups and speakers who explained the history of the tumultuous country and gave us glimpses of the true heart of the people. We traveled to a town called Suchitoto, where we heard pure voices of those who had experienced tragedy as they tried to teach us how to forgive. Another voice from Suchitoto spoke of peace and music, of dancing and love, and most importantly of using the gifts given to us by God to make the most out of our lives. From Suchitoto we traveled to Nueva Esperanza, new hope, and met with calloused hands and friendly smiles. The people of Nueva Esperanza showed us the power of family and community in the face of adversity. We remember those who have shared their lives with us and we honor those who passed in the civil war.
