Agrupación Catolica Universitaria

06/01/2026

ACU Young Professionals

This week the ACU Young Professionals opened their meeting in the ACU Miami Chapel with a recitation of the Litany of the Saints and Blessed of the Society of Jesus. They began their review of the Instructions on the "Agrupado and His Wife/Girlfriend", from the Manual del Instructor, including the elements of psychology involved in these relationships.

06/01/2026

Esto Vir Group: Miami Chapter

This past Wednesday, May 27, 2026, the members of the Esto Vir Group met at the Miami Chapter Campus for the final meeting of the 2025-2026 academic year. Approximately 40 students gathered for the meeting. This included 13 returning graduates from the three previous years who participated on a panel. They discussed their transition from high school to college, whether local or away, their struggles during that transition, integrating into the Catholic community on campus, and answered general questions from the students. The panel members were:

Daniel Torres, Astrophysics at FSU
Aspirant Nicholas Rotolo, Real Estate at FSU, Llorente Scholarship Recipient
Aspirant Andres Madrigal, Biological Sciences at FIU, Llorente Scholarship Recipient
Aspirant Alejandro Madrigal, Accounting at FIU Honors College
Henry Amador, Biological Sciences at FIU, Llorente Scholarship Recipient
Joey Toledo, Electrical Engineering at NC State, Llorente Scholarship Recipient
Lucas Jimenez, Philosophy at St. John Vianney College Seminary, Llorente Scholarship Recipient
Isaac Badell-Riviere, English at Fordham University
Hely Santeliz, Global Business at Fordham University, Llorente Scholarship Recipient
Anthony Iturbe, Electrical Engineering at Rice, Llorente Scholarship Recipient
Oscar Miñoso-Rendon, Computer Science at Yale University, Llorente Scholarship Recipient
Aspirant Carlos Manuel Perez, Economics and Global Affairs at Yale University, Llorente Scholarship Recipient
Aspirant Arturo Castelo, Finance at University of Pennsylvania, Llorente Scholarship Recipient

A shared struggle was learning to structure the ample free time they have as college students to remain focused on academics and their faith. They also encouraged involvement in college campus activities and clubs. Conflict resolution techniques were also discussed in relation to roommates. They also discussed proactively seeking out the Catholic community and establishing new friendships.

Afterwards, we enjoyed hand-made oven fired pizza from Luna Rossa Cucina with Juan Rozo.The moderators for the group are Congregants Jay Velasco and Erik Vieira.

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El pasado miércoles 27 de mayo de 2026, los miembros del Grupo Esto Vir se reunieron en el campus de Miami para la última reunión del año académico 2025-2026. Aproximadamente 40 estudiantes asistieron a la reunión, entre ellos 13 exalumnos de los tres años anteriores, quienes participaron en un panel. En él, compartieron su experiencia de transición de la preparatoria a la universidad, ya sea en la localidad o en otro lugar, las dificultades que enfrentaron durante ese proceso, su integración a la comunidad católica en el campus y respondieron preguntas generales de los estudiantes. Los miembros del panel fueron:

Daniel Torres, Astrofísica en FSU;
Aspirante Nicholas Rotolo, Real Estate en FSU, Becario Llorente;
Aspirante Andrés Madrigal, Ciencias Biológicas en FIU, Becario Llorente;
Alejandro Madrigal, Contabilidad en FIU Honors College;
Henry Amador, Ciencias Biológicas en FIU, Becario Llorente;
Joey Toledo, Ingeniería Eléctrica en NC State, Becario Llorente;
Lucas Jiménez, Filosofía en St. John Vianney College Seminary, Becario Llorente;
Isaac Badell-Riviere, Inglés en Fordham University;
Hely Santeliz, Negocios Globales en Fordham University, Becaria Llorente;
Anthony Iturbe, Ingeniería Eléctrica en Rice, Becario Llorente;
Oscar Miñoso-Rendon, Ciencias de la Computación en Yale University, Becario Llorente;
Aspirante Carlos Manuel Pérez, Economía y Asuntos Globales en Yale.
Aspirante Arturo Castelo, Finanzas en la Universidad de Pensilvania, Becario Llorente.

Un desafío común fue aprender a organizar el amplio tiempo libre que tienen como estudiantes universitarios para mantenerse enfocados en sus estudios y su fe. También se fomentó la participación en actividades y clubes del campus. Se discutieron técnicas de resolución de conflictos en relación con los compañeros de cuarto. Asimismo, se habló sobre la importancia de buscar activamente la comunidad católica y entablar nuevas amistades.

Después, disfrutamos de una pizza artesanal al horno de Luna Rossa Cucina con Juan Rozo. Los moderadores del grupo son los congregantes Jay Velasco y Erik Vieira.

06/01/2026

Father & Son Apostolate: Miami Chapter

This past Monday, May 25, 2026, members of the Father & Son Apostolate of the Miami Chapter, sacrificed a portion of their Memorial Day holiday to lend their time and talent to paint the front room of the soup kitchen operated by the Missionaries of Charity in Miami. The guys brought all the supplies and left their sweat and tears behind! This was a great opportunity for the fathers and sons to bond over a service project reflecting the apostolate pillar of the ACU. And witnessing the Missionaries creates awareness of the vocation to serve Our Lord in his Church. The Father and Son Apostolate is led by Congregante Mariano Perez and often serves as a recruitment tool for adult men to enter the ACU.

Click here to see the video --->>>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/18dvqLgIJ9Efv1t-LFdiKpFtNi7EpaV71/view?usp=sharing

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El pasado lunes 25 de mayo de 2026, miembros del Apostolado Padre e Hijo del Capítulo de Miami sacrificaron parte de su feriado del Día de los Caídos para dedicar su tiempo y talento a pintar la sala principal del comedor social de las Misioneras de la Caridad en Miami. ¡Los chicos trajeron todos los materiales y dejaron su sudor y lágrimas! Esta fue una gran oportunidad para que padres e hijos estrecharan lazos a través de un proyecto de servicio que refleja el pilar del apostolado de la ACU. Y ser testigos de la labor de las Misioneras crea conciencia sobre la vocación de servir a Nuestro Señor en su Iglesia. El Apostolado Padre e Hijo está dirigido por el Congregante Mariano Pérez y a menudo sirve como herramienta de reclutamiento para que los hombres adultos ingresen a la ACU.

Hagale click aqui para ver el video --->>>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/18dvqLgIJ9Efv1t-LFdiKpFtNi7EpaV71/view?usp=sharing

05/25/2026

ACU San Juan "Apostolados" at Retirement Homes / Apostolados de la Agrupación Católica Universitaria (ACU) en hogares de ancianos en San Juan, Puerto Rico

Last week, the ACU in San Juan, PR, found a special way of "loving through service," putting heartfelt apostolados into practice at two local retirement homes. The members first visited Hogar Carmelitano to offer companionship and spiritual presence to the elderly residents. This mission of love extended to Nuestra Señora de la Providencia, in Puerta de Tierra on the morning of May 9, 2026, where the group hosted a special celebration for the residents on the eve of Mother’s Day. Across both activities, the Congregantes and Aspirantes shared music, prayer, and conversation, bridging everyone together through the simple act of being present. These visits allowed the ACU to honor the dignity of the elderly while reaffirming its commitment to serving Christ by loving those most in need. May our Mother's example of devotion always be the compass of your mission.

La semana pasada, la ACU de San Juan puso en práctica el lema de "Amar y Servir" a través de diversos apostolados en dos hogares de ancianos locales. Los Aspirantes visitaron primero el Hogar Carmelitano, San Juan, para ofrecer compañía y consuelo espiritual a los residentes. Esta misión de amor se extendió a Nuestra Señora de la Providencia, Puerta de Tierra, temprano en la mañana del 9 de mayo de 2026, donde se celebró un evento especial para los residentes en la víspera del Día de las Madres. Estas visitas permitieron a la ACU honrar la dignidad de los adultos mayores y reafirmar su compromiso de servir a Cristo amando a quienes más lo necesitan. Que el ejemplo de entrega de nuestra Madre sea siempre nuestro amparo dentro de la misión evangelizadora.

05/25/2026

Spiritual Exercises in Miami

This past weekend, the Miami Chapter hosted the Spiritual Exercises at the Manresa Retreat House and also received one postulant and three aspirants during the closing Mass.

The Exercises were directed by Fr. Juan P. Ruiz, S.J., to a full house of 36 men of varying experience. Among them were three members of the Texas A&M aspirantado who traveled from Houston to participate in the Exercises:

Aspirant Ramiro Rodriguez, Jr.
Postulant Isaiah Rosas, and
Postulant Eduardo Cortez.

Six members of the UM aspirantado also joined:

Congregant Leonardo Morales
Aspirant Luis Pomareda
Postulant Joseph Morana
Postulant Christian Castañeda
Postulant Anthony Cacamese
Diego Escalante

And two members of the recently launched Orlando Aspirantado:

Phil Pereira
Postulant Matthew Gonzalez

At the closing Mass, our Director, Fr. Jorge Luis Rojas, S.J., concelebrated with Fr. Ruiz and received the following members:

Phil Pereira made the postulant promise.
The following men made the aspirant promise:

Eduardo Cortez
Matthew Gonzalez
Isaiah Rosas

Additionally, some of these men provided recorded testimonies of their experience.

05/25/2026

Father & Son Mass at the ACU

The Fathers and Sons apostolate of the Miami Chapter organized a Father & Son Mass for Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami. This Mass is held at least once a semester, offering fathers an opportunity to attend Mass with their sons on campus. The Mass is held at the beautiful Our Lady of Belen Chapel. which has a side chapel named after Blessed Miguel Pro and dedicated to the ACU. Fr. Willie Garcia-Tunon, S.J., president of Belen and past Director of the ACU celebrated the Mass. After the Mass, the Fathers & Sons apostolate organized a breakfast at the ACU, which was attended by approximately 50 of the fathers from the Mass. This was a great opportunity for these men to learn about the ACU and meet Agrupados. During the breakfast, our National President, Dr. Manuel P. Anton, III, gave an engaging presentation on toxic masculinity. You can view the photos and watch the video of Dr. Anton's presentation.

Watch the video by clicking here ->>>> https://youtu.be/atEIi0KoM1E

05/11/2026

Crowning Our Lady

The Miami Chapter continued its longstanding tradition of crowning Our Lady in May. The Mass was held this past weekend on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Our Director, Fr. Jorge Luis Rojas, SJ, celebrated the Vigil Mass. At the conclusion of the Mass, the Agrupados present gathered for a procession to Our Lady. Fr. Rojas then placed the crown of white roses on Our Lady. We remain grateful to Gladys Penin for preparing the crown. Gladys has been preparing the crown for many years in a row and the Miami Chapter remains deeply grateful for her expression of service and love to Our Lady. After the crowning ceremony, dinner was served and the participants socialized.

05/11/2026

Miami Chapter: Pase de Postulante y Aspirante

This past Tuesday, May 5, 2025, Our Director, Fr. Jorge Luis Rojas, S.J., received 10 men into the ACU as postulants and aspirants. The candidates were part of three different aspirantados in Miami and had varying ages and work experience.

The postulants are the following:

Abel Alonso (Adult Group)
Ignacio Blanco (Adult Group)
Alejandro Castillo (Esto Vir)
Felipe Diez (Esto Vir)
Cesar Espinosa (Young Professionals)
Luciano Garzon (Esto Vir)
Fernando Minaya (Esto Vir)
Alejandro Munilla (Esto Vir)

The aspirants are the following:

Danillo Alonso (Young Professionals)
Noah Scott (Esto Vir)

Let us keep these men in our prayers as they proceed through formation and, God willing, toward consecration in the ACU.

05/11/2026

Catholic Young Professionals Ministry

Last Friday, May 1, 2026, the ACU re-launched the Catholic Young Professionals ministry at St. Augustine Church and Catholic Student Center. The ACU has been supporting the CYP ministry since 2017. Congregants Tomas Cacicedo and Johnny Portuondo led this apostolate with a team of young professionals for four years, from 2022 to 2025. The ministry brings together young professionals in Miami monthly for a networking event and formation provided by a local professional, most of whom have been Agrupados over the years.

Earlier this year, Tomas and Johnny transitioned leadership of this ministry to Congregants Marco Barbosa and Nico Muñiz. They have built a new team of young professional leaders including Waldo Toyos, a prior president of the Esto Vir Group.

On May 1, 2026, the CYP ministry held its first event in 2026 and the tradition of solid, exciting events continued! More than 130 young professionals attend the event at St. Augustine! Let us keep this ministry in our prayers as it brings Christ into the lives of young professional men and women!

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El pasado viernes 1 de mayo de 2026, la ACU relanzó el ministerio de Jóvenes Profesionales Católicos en la Iglesia de San Agustín y el Centro Estudiantil Católico. La ACU ha apoyado este ministerio desde 2017. Los feligreses Tomás Cacicedo y Johnny Portuondo dirigieron este apostolado con un equipo de jóvenes profesionales durante cuatro años, de 2022 a 2025. El ministerio reúne mensualmente a jóvenes profesionales en Miami para un evento de networking y formación impartida por un profesional local, la mayoría de los cuales han sido miembros del Agrupado a lo largo de los años.

A principios de este año, Tomás y Johnny traspasaron el liderazgo de este ministerio a los feligreses Marco Barbosa y Nico Muñiz. Ellos han conformado un nuevo equipo de jóvenes líderes profesionales, entre ellos Waldo Toyos, expresidente del Grupo Esto Vir.

El 1 de mayo de 2026, el ministerio de Jóvenes Profesionales Católicos celebró su primer evento del año, ¡y la tradición de eventos sólidos y dinámicos continuó! ¡Más de 130 jóvenes profesionales asistieron al evento en San Agustín! ¡Mantengamos este ministerio presente en nuestras oraciones, ya que trae a Cristo a la vida de jóvenes profesionales!

05/04/2026