Under the biblical motto, “because the love of Christ urges us”, from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians 5:14, Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean has officially begun a Jubilee Year of celebrations on the occasion of its 70th anniversary. The opening day took place on November 3 and extends throughout the year 2026, inviting all Cáritas in the region to live a time of deep gratitude, hope and renewal of commitment.

The event broadcast live on its YouTube channel, the archbishop of Yucatán (Mexico) and president of Cáritas LAC, Monsignor Gustavo Rodríguez Vega, emphasized the essential vocation of the organization. The bishop highlighted the network's commitment to service and charity, encouraging participants to assume their responsibility with joy and authenticity.

Celebrate with Hope

In his greeting, Monsignor Gustavo highlighted the choice of November 3 for the beginning of the Jubilee, a date that coincides with the celebration of San Martín de Porres, the first patron saint of Cáritas, who inspires the organization's mission. In this context, the archbishop cited the canonization homily of Pope Saint John XXIII about the saint:

"He loved his neighbors because he considered them to be true children of God and his brothers. And he loved them even more than himself, since because of his humility he feared them all because they were more just and perfect than himself. He excused the errors of others, he forgave the most serious injuries, because he was convinced that he was much more what he deserved for his serious sins.”

The president of Cáritas LAC highlighted the coincidence of the beginning of the beginning of the 70th anniversary of Cáritas within the framework of the jubilee year, within the Jubilee of Hope. "With hope, then, let us live this jubilee year of Caritas of Latin America and the Caribbean. With hope, but also with gratitude, of course. Gratitude to God our Lord, because without Him nothing would be possible of everything we do, of everything we propose, of all the achievements throughout those 70 years, and of what we propose for the future," emphasized Vega.

Finally, then, I want to insist that it is our turn to be the face love of the churchand continue forward with that joy that more than a celebration is a renewal of our commitment.

The president of Cáritas LAC invited the entire community to live this period not only as a historical commemoration, but as a relaunch of the mission, guided by the faith and social doctrine of the Church.

70th Anniversary Route

The commemorative program and inputs were presented by the former director of Cáritas Cuba, Maritza Sánchez, and by the regional youth leader, Paola Oviedo, who make up the jubilee commission.

Maritz presented the "Liturgical script and guideline for community reflection", a document designed to nourish spirituality and renew the mission at all levels of the organization, from parish Caritas to national ones. This material emphasizes the identity of Cáritas as a "service for love" and a "Samaritan ecclesial style", with the motto "Because the love of Christ urges us" as the theological heart of the jubilee year, as highlighted by theologian Sandra Arenas in the introduction.

The input has a liturgical script for the Eucharistic celebration, which can be used by each national, diocesan or parish Cáritas throughout the year, with staff, volunteers and linked communities, generating a moment of thanksgiving. Another material prepared by the jubilee animation team is a guide for “Bible Circle”, inspired by the popular reading of the Word of God, designed to nourish spirituality and renew the mission. It can be used at the time the team considers most appropriate to encourage reflection.

Paola Oviedo presented the first planned activities that include:

• Eucharistic Celebration: A mass of thanksgiving in the Vatican Catacombs before the altar of the Virgin of Guadalupe, on November 18, presided over by Monsignor Gustavo Rodríguez Vega.
• Space for spirituality:an important milestone on the celebratory path will be a virtual space for spirituality. for the reason of the beginning of advent. The activity will be on December 2, with details to be announced later.
• Zonal Meetings: A series of in-person meetings to strengthen the path towards the Regional Congress, scheduled between April and July 2026 in the Caribbean (to be held in Cuba from April 20 to 24), Bolivarian (held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, between June 15 and 19), CAMEX (in Panama City, from June 29 to July 3) and Cono zones. South (July 21 to 25 in Paraguay).
• Regional Congress: The final meeting of the jubilee will be held in Brasilia, from February 15 to 19, 2027, with delegations from each country during the Regional Congress.

“The charity of Christ urges us”

To encourage the 70th anniversary, the celebration is accompanied by a hymn official, titled "The charity of Christ urges us", composed by the Mexican singer-songwriter Federico Carranza, based on texts from the Holy Mass for various dimensions of Cáritas. The author expressed his gratitude to Monsignor Gustavo, who invited him to compose the anthem and highlighted with emotion: “I feel united to you, I am part of this Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean through this song.”

On the occasion, Carranza shared the experience and feeling of participating in this regional process. "The experience of composing this album was something very special because indeed the dimensions that are mentioned, the activities that Cáritas carries out with migrants, with the poor, with the environment. A song is like a telegram... it has a limited number of words that it can say. It is always so important to put your heart into this and for this it is necessary to fall in love. I truly feel deeply in love with this work," he emphasized.

Starting from the cross towards the future

The session also presented the visual identity that will be used throughout the year in communications. The proposal built by communicator María Eva Lobo, from Cáritas Venezuela and a regional communication leader, focuses on celebration, identity and projection towards the future, maintaining clarity and visual impact. The image is made up of the following elements:

1. Stylized number "70": A large burgundy number "70" dominates the top of the design. The "7" stroke extends horizontally, visually embracing the "0" circle. This connection suggests unity and continuity throughout seven decades of service. The Vinotinto color responds to the official color of the Cáritas cross and evokes its passion, action and commitment.
2. Cáritas symbol integrated into the "0": The "0" circle contains the iconic Cáritas symbol: a cross with stylized rays radiating from the center. This direct integration of the symbol within the anniversary number emphasizes that the identity and mission of Cáritas are at the heart of this celebration.

We hope that the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Cáritas in Latin America and the Caribbean renews our commitment to serve with generosity and hope.