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“The Just Shall Live by Faith”: The Challenge of Carrying Out Mission in Cuba
Francis Ylagan, SVD
It often seems that God remains silent. Yet, just as He responded to Habakkuk, He also reminds us: “The just shall live by faith.” Authentic faith is what sustains us and enables us to overcome difficulties and move forward.
Mission in a Land of Contradictions
At present, there are nine Divine Word Missionaries in Cuba, serving eleven parishes across the district. The task is not easy. It is challenging to be a missionary in a place where logic often fails, and one must live amid many contradictions.
I remember when I first arrived in Cuba twenty-two years ago. I was a young missionary, full of enthusiasm, convinced that I carried many tools for mission. But reality soon taught me otherwise. I realized that in Cuba, mission cannot be measured by great achievements but by simple gestures of love that reveal God’s presence.
Once, a Cuban priest told me: “Cuba is not to be understood but to be loved.” That phrase became my guide. I learned that patience, initiative, creativity, and appreciation for small actions are fundamental in the Cuban mission.
A Nation in Crisis
The passage of time has not improved the situation of the Cuban people. On the contrary, life has become increasingly difficult. The energy crisis affects everyone: blackouts lasting four to twelve hours disrupt daily life and shatter plans. Inflation continues to rise, and salaries are far from sufficient. A retiree’s pension is not enough to buy even a small package of chicken.
Christian communities are shrinking due to massive emigration, especially among young people seeking a better future abroad. Public transport is scarce; people wait for hours at bus stops. Garbage piles up on street corners, spreading disease. Many people desperately search for medicine or food. Every day, more individuals come to us asking for help, especially for something to eat.
This situation breeds discouragement and moral decline. It also affects values—there is a growing sense of apathy and indifference. And yet, it is precisely in this reality that Christ must be made present. The people’s deepest need is to keep their faith and hope alive.
Faith that Sustains
When the situation seems unbearable, we must look at it from a mystical perspective: What does God want from us here? This is where we find the true challenge of mission in Cuba. How can we preach the Gospel to a people whose main concern is simply to survive?
God’s answer remains the same: “The just shall live by faith.” As missionaries, we must begin with the apostolate of presence — being with the people, walking with them, and offering words of consolation and hope. It may seem small or simple, but it means a great deal to those who are suffering.
Often, people ask us: “Why do missionaries want to stay in Cuba when so many Cubans want to leave?” The answer is clear: Jesus became human to be present among us, and so must we — to bring God’s Word to life and rekindle faith and hope through small acts of love in a wounded world.
Finding Joy in the Little Things
In Cuba, I’ve learned to value small things. We often want to design big programs and projects, always measuring success by results. But here, a missionary must find joy in the little that can be done.
At times, we might feel like we are becoming an NGO, focused on social assistance projects. But we are not. These efforts are simply ways of bringing the love of Christ to people.
For example, giving a plate of food to a poor, elderly person in a time of scarcity is a concrete way of making them feel that God loves them. When people experience that love, when they know they are not alone, and when they feel that we walk with them, small seeds begin to bear abundant fruit.
As Divine Word Missionaries, this is where we find true joy and fulfillment. We can say with conviction: it is worth being in Cuba, and it is worth giving our lives for the mission.
