Dear Father Ramón Zubieta

You were a man who gave himself wholeheartedly to help the poorest of the poor, a man who watched and listened, a man who observed and listened, capable of defending the dignity of women, who at that time were despised, and you fought against inequality and exploitation.

Not only did you know how to denounce but also how to unite the people. I am referring here to the indigenous people and the children of the exploiters, to whom you whom you opted to unite, fostering equality. This it is true, that it was not so easy a task.

Now, I ask you, Fray Ramon:  for us today, who also experience this injustice in some villages, how can we do justice, if many of our brothers and sisters who want to defend are being killed?

The saying “The grain of wheat germinates under the earth” has caught my attention. It is very true that we can put the seed on top of the earth, it can grow, but its roots will not go deep. But if we plow the soil and sow it, then it will grow well.

No matter what you went further, where no one wanted to go, there surely you encountered firsthand the many needs of the people. You learned their language, you were persevering, cheerfully, patiently loving them.

He who does not walk remains in emptiness and with few novelties, he who walks will always find novelties and will be enriched by them, and more.

Fray Ramon Zubieta, what advice do you have for us, so that we may not always stay in our countries, in the same community, especially in the cities, but may go beyond?

Arminda de Carvalho