From the Missions: Fr. Heenan Reports on the New FSSP Apostolate in Ecuador
The beginnings of our new apostolate in Ecuador can be traced to a meeting with the Archbishop of Portoviejo three years ago, when we presented the work of the Fraternity. His Excellency asked if we would be willing to take on a unique apostolate in Guale, a small, remote rural town in the province of Manabí, about two hours from Guayaquil. Guale has not had a resident priest for over 35 years and has only been sporadically cared for by priests from surrounding parishes, which are over an hour away. The territory also includes various small communities with scattered chapels. Because of the long absence of true pastors, very few people practice the faith, and many Protestant sects have arisen. Father Proust certainly has his work cut out for him.
Starting a new apostolate always implies challenges, but founding the first one in a new country with little religious formation and deep material poverty is a daunting task. We began by asking apostolates across North America to donate liturgical goods so we could establish a functioning sacristy, and we are extremely grateful to our confreres who responded generously. We also organized a missionary group of 15 men, primarily from our apostolate in Guadalajara, who volunteered to come to Ecuador for ten days to help Father Proust prepare the church and rectory. Father Proust and I arrived a few days ahead of the group to gather supplies and prepare the local community.
We arrived in Guale for the evening Mass on the Feast of the Assumption. The first Mass was quite unfamiliar for both the parishioners and the priests, as we had no time to prepare servers or musicians. Following Mass, Father Proust baptized 19 children during a two-hour ceremony that had been scheduled by the previous visiting priest.
The following day, the village celebrated their patronal feast of San Jacinto. Due to the poor state of religious practice, the feast day exists primarily as a large festival with dances, loud music, and carnival rides. Around 150 people attended the sung Mass in the morning, which we were able to pull off with the help of seminarians from a couple of religious communities present in the diocese who traveled a long distance to be in attendance. After Mass, we held a small procession through the town and then headed off for our first Mass in one of the adjacent communities.
The next day, we made the nearly three-hour trip to the chancery to meet the bishop and curial officials to learn about the practical workings of the diocese. Tomorrow, we will return to Guayaquil to purchase a car and household appliances for the rectory. We also have to find a place to purchase basic liturgical supplies. When we return on Wednesday, we will bring the missionary group so they can begin their work.
The missionaries will engage in both manual labor and evangelization. Our immediate needs include making improvements to the sacristy, modifying the altar, repairing the water systems, and installing basic appliances. Many more tasks will certainly arise throughout the week.
We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to this marvelous work for the glory of God. We will send frequent updates on our progress.
In the Triumphant Heart of Jesus,
Padre Daniel Heenan FSSP
Parish Priest, Quasi-Parish of San Pedro in Cadenas
