Félix Varela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids VenerableFélix Varela Morales |
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Felix Varela circa 1853
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| Born | November 20, 1788 Havana, Cuba |
| Died | February 18, 1853 (aged 64) St. Augustine, Florida, United States |
Félix Varela y Morales (born November 20, 1788 – died February 18, 1853) was a Cuban Catholic priest. He was also a leader who worked for Cuba's independence. He is seen as a very important person in the Catholic Church in both his home country of Cuba and the United States, where he also served.
Contents
Life Story
Early Years and Education
Félix Varela was born in Havana, Cuba, on November 20, 1788. At that time, Cuba was still part of New Spain, a Spanish colony. He grew up in St. Augustine, Florida. His grandfather, Lieutenant Bartolomé Morales, was a military commander there. Félix's mother died when he was born, so his grandfather helped raise him.
When he was a teenager, Félix decided not to join the military. Instead, he returned to Cuba to study to become a priest. He attended the San Carlos and San Ambrosio Seminary in Havana, which was the only seminary in Cuba. He also studied at the University of Havana. At 23, he became a priest in the Cathedral of Havana.
Teacher and Thinker
Within a year of becoming a priest, Varela joined the seminary as a teacher. He taught important subjects like philosophy, physics, and chemistry. Many famous Cubans learned from him, including José Antonio Saco and José de la Luz y Caballero. De la Luz once said about Varela: "As long as there is thought in Cuba, we will have to remember him, the one who taught us how to think."
Varela also started a literary society. He published a popular book on philosophy called Miscelánea filosófica before he turned 30. He was a true intellectual who encouraged new ways of thinking.
Working for Change
In 1821, Varela was chosen to represent Cuba in the Spanish government, called the Cortes Generales, in Madrid. There, he joined others in asking the king for independence for Latin American countries. He also wrote an essay arguing for the end of slavery in Cuba.
Because of these strong ideas, Varela faced great danger. In 1823, the French army invaded Spain and brought back the old king, Ferdinand VII. The king then harshly punished anyone who supported liberal ideas. Varela was ordered to be arrested. To escape, he fled first to Gibraltar and then to the United States. He spent the rest of his life there, settling in New York City.
Life in the United States
In New York, Varela continued his work for human rights and education. He started El Habanero, which was the first Spanish-language newspaper in the United States. He also published other newspapers in Spanish, like El Mensajero Semanal, and even one in English. He wrote many articles about human rights, religious tolerance, and the importance of education for everyone. He also encouraged cooperation between English and Spanish-speaking communities.
After learning English, Varela served as a priest at St. Peter's Church from 1825 to 1827. He later bought an old church building and started a new Catholic parish called Christ Church. He then helped build the St. James church. In 1836, he bought another church building and renamed it the Church of the Transfiguration. He was the pastor there for many years. This church still serves a community of immigrants today.
In 1837, Varela became the Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. This meant he was a very important leader in the Church in New York State and northern New Jersey. He helped the American Church deal with the large number of Irish immigrants arriving at that time. He even learned the Irish language to better communicate with them.
Varela also helped create the famous Baltimore Catechism. This was a teaching guide for Catholic children in the United States for many years. He later received a special degree in Theology from St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.
Later Life and Legacy
By 1848, Varela was very tired from all his hard work. He developed severe asthma and moved to St. Augustine, Florida, where he passed away five years later in 1853.
Almost 60 years after his death, Varela's body was moved from Tolomato Cemetery in Florida back to Cuba. He was laid to rest in the University of Havana's main hall.
Honors and Recognition
The Cuban government has created an award in his name, called the Orden Félix Varela. This award is given to people who have made important contributions to Cuban and world culture.
His name is also linked to the Proyecto Varela, a project in Cuba that aims for more freedom. The United States Postal Service honored Varela in 1997 by issuing a 32-cent commemorative stamp. Many Cuban Americans living outside Cuba feel a connection to him because of his own experiences as an exile.
Places Named After Varela
- Felix Varela High School in Miami, Florida, opened in 2000 and is named in his memory.
- "Varella Avenue" in St. Augustine, Florida, is a street named after him, though his name is misspelled.
- "Padre Varela" street in Centro Habana, Cuba, is a main street, though it's often called by its old name, Belascoaín.
- BD−17 63, a star in the Cetus constellation, was named after Varela in 2019.
Path to Sainthood
Félix Varela is currently being considered to become a Catholic saint. The process officially began when he was declared a Servant of God. This means the Church recognizes his life as a devoted Catholic and an example for others.
On Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012, the Archdiocese of New York and the Archdiocese of Miami announced that the Vatican had declared Varela "Venerable." This means he lived a very good and virtuous life, showing heroic faith.
For him to become "beatified," which is the next step, a miracle must be proven to have happened because of his prayers. If another miracle is proven after that, he could then be "canonized" as a saint. If this happens, he would be the first person born in Cuba to be honored as a saint in the Catholic Church.
In 2015, Cardinal Jaime Ortega, the Archbishop of Havana, appointed Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia to lead the process for Varela's beatification and canonization.
Images for kids
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Felix Varela circa 1853
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A bust of Félix Varela on the grounds of the University of Havana campus.
See also
In Spanish: Félix Varela para niños
