Belen Jesuit Preparatory School

Welcome to the Brotherhood

Antonio Castro ’86 |Alumni Board of Directors President
(This speech was given on May 22, 2018 to the class of 2018 at the Alumni Pin Ceremony and Eucharistic Celebration Alumni Board of Directors President Antonio Castro ’86.)
 
Gentlemen:
 
It really is an incredible privilege for me to be able to address you this morning on behalf of the Belen Alumni Association.
 
And it is especially meaningful to be here at Gesu. This is a homecoming of sorts. This is where Belen started in Miami, after being forced from Cuba. I want to recognize Fr. Eddie Alvarez for his great ministry here, and all the Jesuits here today. They’re not only Jesuit Fathers, they are Belen Brothers! So it is very special to be celebrating this event, your Mass—one last Mass together as a Senior Class, as Fr. Willie said—here at Gesu: such a beautiful place, and meaningful, too.
 
Every graduating class claims to be the best class that ever graduated from Belen. It has been said that the Class of 1986 is the best class that ever graduated from Belen. Who am I to disagree with that? And I know a few members of the Class of ’86 here today who will agree: Mike, Lou, Plaz, and Willy, and Javi and Carlos, too. But, in reality, all classes say it. Each class believes it is special. And it is true of each class, but this Class of 2018 is truly special:
 
This class is the first Senior Class to jump in the new pool. This class is the first Senior Class to enjoy the completed Dining Hall, and the fully renovated chapel. And it is the last Senior Class to be blessed to have Dr. de Quesada as Dean of Men. This class is tied for the greatest number of twins, plus a set of triplets. And, of course, it is the largest class (233 graduates) that has ever graduated from Belen—and probably the largest class that ever will graduate from Belen
 
But I believe that what truly defines this class is not mere numbers, but character. May it be said that the Class of 2018 is the Best Class ever because of the character and, yes, some of the characters, in this class. All of the experiences you’ve shared: the parties; the all-night study sessions; the papers and the projects; the close calls and narrow escapes, some of which may have been a little sketchy … All of those experiences helped to shape and define you: an exceptional class not only academically, reflected in the colleges you will be attending; but also exceptional in your activities and your faith.
 
Some of you I’ve known since little league, or through soccer, mock trial or Student Council; and one of you I’ve known all your life! So because I have known so many of you in this class, it is a tremendous privilege for me to welcome you all to this special Brotherhood.
 
You are about to become part of something truly remarkable: this Brotherhood that we call the Belen Alumni Association. Some call this network a “mafia.” I prefer to call it our “famiglia,” our family—imitated by some, envied by others, but respected by all.
 
Today you are a band of 233 brothers here. Tomorrow, you join a Brotherhood of more than 7,000 across the country and around the world that transcends decades and generations.
 
So, whether you attended the Belen with a new Dining Hall and new pool, or the Belen with the Barn and the Dustbowl, or the Belen in Marianao or Sagua in Cuba, the essence of Belen and our Association remains constant. That is what unites us: passion and purpose for others, for Belen.
 
We are united not only by our past with Belen, but our future with Belen. So here’s the crazy part: YOUR BEST BELEN YEARS ARE AHEAD OF YOU. I know it sounds unbelievable, so I’ll say it again: your best Belen years are ahead of you. How is that possible? You’ve just had the greatest years at Belen, with the retreat, prom, and state championships. But trust me, your best Belen years are yet to come.
 
Imagine coming back to Belen, seeing friends, and talking to teachers, like you never left—except there’s no homework, no penance halls, you can wear what you want, and even grow a beard if you want. That’s pretty cool. And I’d like to take a moment to recognize all your teachers, and a special round of applause for Mr. DQ, the Dean of Men
 
Imagine when you find the right girl and decide to marry, and the groomsmen at your wedding are your Belen brothers, as Fr. Willie will tell you that he sees at the weddings he celebrates. That's awesome.
 
And when you have a baby, and the baby is baptized by a Belen Jesuit father—like my sons were by baptized Fr. Sardiña, one of our own, a Belen brother. That’s tremendous!
 
And when you come back to Belen to serve with Magis—like the Helping Hands event recently organized by Crescencio Ruiz—because you want to fulfill that continued calling to be Men for Others, and you’re surrounded by Belen brothers. That’s an incredible feeling.
 
But if God should bless you with a son (or two, as He blessed me), and you have the opportunity to send them to Belen, that is the best: to be not only a Belen grad, but also a Belen dad. The dads know what I’m talking about: when you can cheer for Belen and your son in the same breath. That’s amazing.
 
It reminds me of Disney World. When you go to Disney World as a kid, it seems like the best experience in the world. And it’s pretty good. But when you get to go back as a father and experience it again, but through the eyes of your kids, that is simply the best! Belen is like that.
 
And how special it is when fathers and sons can be Brothers, too. But if your father did not attend Belen, don't worry. Neither did mine. But I'm glad he sent me to Belen. And I'm glad I sent my sons to Belen, too.
 
Before the Pin Ceremony, I want to recognize the members of our Association’s Board of Directors. Please stand.  We are all the keepers of this Brotherhood, but these are the Men who truly help keep the Brotherhood alive. And I especially want to recognize Carlos Bravo and Rick Raimundez, who devote themselves, day in and day out, to serve and improve our Alumni Association.
 
So, to the Class of 2018, my brothers (because although one of you is my son, today all of you are my brothers): Welcome to this Brotherhood. Welcome to our Alumni Association.
 
I don’t know exactly what this Class will accomplish, but I can’t wait to see what your Class will do: for each other, for Belen, and for the greater Glory of God! So that it may truly be said that the Class of 2018 is the best Class ever to graduate from our beloved Belen.
 
Congratulations and God bless you.
 
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BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain.  The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline.  In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty.  The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow.  Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.