The Augustinian Recollects who have the pastoral care of the hospitals, became aware that those who cared for the children, mothers, grannies, relatives, spent a lot of time with them. Many because the children suffered from some chronic ailment. These relatives were fearful and anxious about losing their jobs and had no support from anyone. Many came from far away states, like Oaxaca and Guerrero, and from small, rural, very poor villages.
CARDI’s aim is to accompany and assist these relatives of sick people who are sent to the Hospital General de Mexico, to the Children’s Hospital and to Hospital Centro Medico Siglo XXl (Medical Centre Twenty first Century). CARDI also attends to and supports vulnerable groups in Mexico City, mainly in the nearby zone called Colonia Doctores, one of the most conflict ridden areas in the City. CARDI is able to offer this attention thanks to the valuable cooperation of a group of professionals and volunteers who are interested in the integral development of the person.
The new building was inaugurated on the 5th December, on what we call the Day of the Recollection. It’s a day centre where people can go to rest, eat, talk and be listened to. It’s not really a hostal. At present CARDI accompanies around 2000 people a month, numbers which have grown over time. Hence the need and reason for the new building. A new building with much more space was needed.
Blessing
Before the liturgy the friars met in the auditorium to watch a video explaining what CARDI does and to hear a report given by Fr. Francisco Javier Acero, the president and founder of the Centre.
And then in the liturgy celebrated on the building’s ground floor, Fr. Javier Jimenez, Prior Provincial of the St. Nicholas Province referred to the important work done by the doctors which together with the God’s hand: generates immense benefits: “CARDI isn’t something new rather it continues what has been done over the centuries. We not only feel satisfaction, but are proud, because hand in hand with preaching we are working to make love more concrete, and this comes from that faith which has made us embrace the ideal of religious life that one day Augustine dreamed of, lived and transmitted.
And Fr. Carlos González Castellanos, vicar for the Province of St. Nicholas of Tolentino in México and Costa Rica, said that CARDI has been possible thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit who acts through those who are willing to receive him and allow him to things through them.“CARDI is a family, we are family. And the work is thanks to the Holy Spirit who made it happen. As we allow him to act great things happen. This building was constructed thanks to the Holy Spirit”. After these simple yet firm words full of faith and love, Fr. Gonzalez read the letter sent to CARDI by Fr. Sergio Sanchez, his predecessor. From the start Fr. Sergio had supported and encouraged it.
Here are some quotes from the letter which deeply touched all those present, friars and lay people alike:
“The sick and their families are the very reason this work exists. They are the centre of it all. Only those who are in contact with the people in “hospitales” can really understand this project. Those who have shared at close quarters with families and the sick, will sooner or later leave us as a gift, the testimony that can only be understood using this key: “I have received more”. So if we desire a work with soul and vitality then the people it was built for must occupy the first place. And that means that each one who arrives in this building is to feel at home, part of the family.
“The job is not finished, rather we have opened up more spaces so that many more will be able to add and write their page of solidarity and hope, of prayer and fraternity”.
At the close of the liturgy and the blessing, the priests went to all six floors of the building from the underground parking lot to the roof sprinkling holy water everywhere. In the meantime representatives of the different ministries of the Order, benefactors, directors and volunteers stayed on the ground floor listening to the music of Los Hermanos Castro. In between the songs mothers and children gave moving testimonies of all the support they had received from CARDI during their lengthy treatment in hospital.