By Teresa Martinez - Belen Jesuit Preparatory School

MIAMI | With great sadness, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School announces the death of Jesuit Father Juan M. Dorta-Duque, a graduate of the class of 1940 from El Colegio de Belén in Havana, Cuba, former professor, and former director of the Belen Alumni Association of Jesuit Schools from Cuba and Miami. 

“He lived a long life, 92 years, and was an inspiration to so many,” said Jesuit Father Pedro Suarez, Belen's president. “Through his leadership our alumni were able to connect from wherever they are in the world, and their bond of brotherhood was strengthened. As a Jesuit he was a true representation of ‘men for others’ and his vocation has driven generations of laity and religious in the Ignatian spirit. Let us pray for his eternal rest in God’s Kingdom.”

The viewing will be held from 5-10 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7 at the Saladrigas Gallery. Archbishop Thomas Wenksi will be the main celebrant of the funeral Mass on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. in the Roberto Goizueta Athletic Center.

The Saladrigas Gallery and the Roberto Goizueta Athletic Center are located on the Belen campus, 500 S.W. 127 Ave., Miami.

Following the Mass, Father Dorta-Duque will be buried at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in Doral.

“Father Dorta-Duque, S.J., was more than just a priest, he was a pillar, a true leader that helped mold the Alumni Association into what it is today and will be forever remembered as a legacy among alumni,” said Mariano Loret de Mola, Alumni Association director. “Everyone respected, admired and loved him and he will be missed. May he rest in peace.”

The following is an excerpt from “Men for Others: The Belen Jesuit Story” by Zeida C. Sardiñas.

"In early 1968, Fr. Dorta-Duque, S.J., began his work in Miami with the goal of strengthening the Asociación de Antiguos Alumnos de los Padres Jesuitas de Cuba or Belen Alumni Association of Jesuit Schools from Cuba and Miami. As an initial step, Fr. Dorta-Duque compiled a list of alumni, the majority of whom were in Miami. Others were scattered throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Latin America, Europe, and even Asia.

"Fr. Juan M. Dorta-Duque, S.J. began making visits to alumni throughout the world almost immediately after his arrival. He visited alumni and coordinated reunions in Jacksonville, Washington D.C., New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Denver, Tucson, St. Louis, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Boston, and Puerto Rico. He also traveled throughout the years as far away as Europe and Latin America in search of establishing vital links with Belen alumni. Fr. Dorta-Duque also held spiritual retreats based on St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises, Masses, weddings, baptisms, and conferences about religious topics for alumni not only in Miami, but also wherever else he traveled to visit them."