The presence of the Brothers in Guaranda, province of Bolivar (Ecuador) is 25 years old, in this year 2025. The work of the Brothers during these 25 years was remembered during the patronal celebrations of the Verbo Divino Educational Unit in the last week of May. The most important events were: the parade and the proclamation which took place on Friday 23rd through the streets of the city with representations of classes, teachers, ex-teachers… The countries where the Brothers are located were evoked with costumes and songs.
This parade was presided over by a float with a live representation of the official picture of the Holy Family of the Institute. On Friday 30 May, in the morning, the solemn session was held in the Casa de la Cultura of the city. In addition to a representation of students, teachers and representatives of civil organisations, the Bishop and the Vicar of the Diocese took part in this official ceremony. Also present were members of the Nazarene Fraternities of Guaranda. Brother Jacinto, the legal representative of the Brothers in the school, opened the round of speeches by first giving a historical review of the presence of the Brothers from their origins in the year 2000 to the present day and then highlighting the importance of Christian formation and values in education, emphasising the charism of the Holy Family. The Rector Yadira Fuentes and the Vice-Rector also gave their messages.
The presence of Monsignor Hermenegildo Torres Asanza, Bishop of Guaranda, was particularly noteworthy. In his address, he thanked those who dedicate their lives to education with vocation, faith and commitment, and especially the Brothers of the Holy Family. In his speech, the bishop highlighted the positive impact of Christian education in the integral formation of the new generations and the importance of continuing to support an education based on the values of the Gospel. He presented a commemorative plaque on behalf of the Diocese of Guaranda, thanking the work of the different Brothers who have passed through Guaranda in these 25 years. Brother Fernando read the messages of support sent by Brother Superior General, Brother Francisco Javier Hernando and Brother Provincial, Brother Jorge García and some words from a member of the Nazarene Fraternity of Guaranda and a teacher of the College who had just finished the course In the Footsteps. Brother Fernando read his words: “Belonging to the Sa-Fa Family of Guaranda has taught me that the family is not only a biological fact, it is a space that is built with others based on respect, affection and mutual service. Shared prayer, fraternal encounters, gestures of care, all this is part of the same message: to make the spirit of Nazareth present today, here, in our concrete reality.”
In the evening, on the 30th May, which closed the celebrations of the College, a musical and cultural festival was held in the coliseum of the city in which the various courses performed dances from the 18 countries where the Brothers are present, pointing out some notes of the Sa-fa charism in each place and some numerical data of communities and works. Present at these celebrations were representatives of the four communities of Ecuador and Br. Miguel González who came from Spain and who was rector for a long period at the College. It should be noted that although the main commitment of the Brothers in Guaranda is the administration of the Verbo Divino Educational Unit which has 1800 students, they also work on other aspects such as catechesis and solidarity actions. On this silver jubilee we give thanks to God for the presence of the Taborinian and Nazarene charism in this Andean area of Ecuador.
