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Padre Varela postage stamp

 

US Post Office Honors
Padre Felix Varela

 

 

On September 15, 1997 the United States Post Office issued a postage stamp honoring Padre (Father) Felix Varela Morales.

Felix Varela Morales was born in Havana, Cuba November 20 1788 and died in St. Augustine Florida February 25 1853. He was the leading educator, philosopher and patriot in Cuba of his time. He taught Philosophy, Chemistry, Physics, Theology and Music. Many of the great Cuban leaders were his students. He was the first Cuban abolitionist.

In 1821, he was elected a member to the Spanish Cortes (Legislature) where he recommended the recognition of the independence of the Spanish colonies in Latin America and the development of commercial relations based on a common, language, history and culture. For Cuba, he asked for self-rule within the Spanish empire and an end to slavery. Because of his progressive ideas, in 1823 he had to flee Spain to the U.S. and was condemned to death in absentia by the Spanish Crown.

For the rest of his life, Father Varela lived in the United States. He was assigned to a parish in New York City, where many Irish immigrants lived, at a time when religious and ethnic difficulties were prevalent. He helped during the terrible cholera epidemic of 1832 and when the Irish began to arrive by the thousands he became their protector. During his time in the U.S. from his arival in 1823 until his death in 1853 he "dedicated himself to social reform and was a constant champion for the civil rights of immigrants --specially the Irish people--, the poor women, youth, children and the sick. " (according to Dr. Amalia Varela de la Torre).

He published many newsletters, magazines and books. "Years later Jose Marti acknowledged Varela's contributions to the Cuban independence movement: 'He was the man who taught us how to think'" (according to "The Cuban American Family Album").

Please help commemorate the memory of this Cuban patriot by purchasing and using these postage stamps.

To get more details on the stamp, visit the US Postal Service Stamps On Line web site. Just follow the links to "Collectors Corner" --> "Index of Stamp Issues" -->"1997 Issues" and look for the "Padre Varela" link.

If they are not available at your local post office, you can purchase the stamps directly from the US Postal Service by telephoning (in the US): 1-800-782-6724. You cannot yet purchase collector stamps on-line, but the USPS promises this service will be available soon.

If you need additional information on Padre Felix Varela, contact the Padre Felix Varela Foundation at the following address:

     Padre Felix Varela Foundation,Inc.
     15630 S.W. 42 Lane
     Miami, FL 33185
     USA
    

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Padre Varela Postage Stamp - Updated 10-Jul-2007

Copyright © 2007-2013 - Ed Elizondo
All Rights Reserved - Todos los Derechos Reservados

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