Saluting an exile:
​Father Félix Varela

By Miguel Pérez

He was one of those unsung heroes who -- perhaps because he was Hispanic -- went through life without ever getting much recognition for his contributions to American society.

Most American history books don't mention his name. Yet Father Félix Varela was a Catholic priest, philosopher, teacher, writer, legislator, newspaperman, social reformer, and patriot whose political ideals, innovative teaching methods, and humanitarian works for 25 years in New York City -- from 1823 to 1848 -- still have an impact on society.

He was a Cuban exile who went on to become Vicar General of the New York Diocese, which covered all of New York State and northern New Jersey. For many of today's Cuban exiles in the New York metropolitan area, Varela has always been a beacon of inspiration. But unfortunately, many young Cubans and other Hispanics don't even know they have such great role models. American historians have denied them figures like Félix Varela to be proud of.

Thankfully, history has a way of correcting itself. Finally, the saintly priest received the recognition he deserves - on a new 32-cent commemorative U.S. postage stamp released in in September of 1997.

"Padre Varela dedicated his life to the service of others, especially young people, the sick and the poor," said Tirso del Junco, chairman of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors. "He was considered a great defender of liberty, but above all, an exemplary priest who led his ministry in New York City for more than 20 years."

The stamp was unveiled in St. Augustine, Fla., where Varela lived the last five years of his life, from 1848 until his death in 1853. "You can imagine how proud I felt, not only as a Catholic, but as a Cuban," said Carmen Arango, one of four New Jerseyans who attended the ceremony. "Varela becomes the first Cuban-American on a U.S. postage stamp."

There is a Varela statue outside the Cathedral of St. Augustine and there is a plaque honoring his service outside the parish he established, The Church of the Transfiguration, in lower Manhattan.

He was born in Havana more than two centuries ago, but as a thinker, he was ahead his time. Long before others living under Spanish rule in Latin America in the 19th century, Varela, the son of a Spanish military officer, fought for the abolition of slavery and for women's rights.

Representing Cuba as a member of the Spanish Legislature, he tried to prevent bloodshed by getting Spain to recognize the independence of the South American nations and give more autonomy to Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines and other Spanish possessions. He failed in those efforts.

But as a professor of philosophy at Havana's Seminary College of San Carlos, he succeeded in passing on the principles of liberty and independence to many other Cubans who would later become the island's best and brightest educators, scientists, philosophers, and patriots.
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It was those ideals of freedom that drove Varela -- facing imprisonment -- out of Cuba and into exile in New York in 1823. Although he was then condemned to death in absentia by the Spanish crown, Varela began a new life here.

As a priest in exile, Varela devoted himself to helping poor minorities, especially Irish and Italian immigrants in New York City, where he founded nurseries and orphanages. He organized the New York Catholic Temperance Association, and virtually lived in hospitals while caring for cholera victims during an epidemic in 1832.

He also became a publishing pioneer, founding El Habanero, the first Spanish-language newspaper in the United States. It carried essays on issues that are still relevant today -- human rights injustices suffered by minorities, religious and ethnic tolerance, the importance of education and Cuba's freedom.

"I am the first one who is against the union of the island to any foreign government," Varela wrote in his newspaper. "I wish Cuba to be as much an island politically as it is by nature."
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Varela died in exile, never returning to his native Cuba or seeing it free of Spanish rule. Yet some six years after his death, he was dis-interred from St. Augustine's Tolomato Cemetery, and returned to Cuba, to be laid to rest in the University of Havana's Aula Magna.

Today, Varela's legacy endures, as two foundations and a refugee center bearing his name still carry out his humanitarian work and keep alive his political ideals. With the strength of his convictions, and the depth of his faith, Varela's disciples got the Postal Service to correct American history and gave young Latinos a role model they never knew.

The 1997 Padre Félix Varela USA stamp

Statue outside the Cathedral of St. Augustine - Photo by Miguel Pérez

Plaque at the Transfiguration Church, NYC

UPDATE: See Stops 13 and 23 in On the Road Again