By Katie Vasquez
JACKSON HEIGHTS, Queens — Students at St. Joan of Arc School received a special lesson from their pastor, Father Christopher Heanue, about a figure he deeply admires: Father Felix Varela.
Varela, a Cuban priest, helped Irish immigrants in Manhattan during the 19th century, a time when many lived in extreme poverty and faced widespread disease, including cholera.
“It means a lot to me as an Irish son of Irish immigrants, the way in which Father Varela worked to care for the immigrant,” Heanue said. “The way in which he dedicated his life for the recently arrived Irish immigrant, fighting for their rights.”
Varela’s ability to connect with his congregation was strengthened by his language skills. He mastered English as well as Irish Gaelic, allowing him to better communicate with those he served.
“I’ve heard Gaelic and it is not an easy language,” Heanue said. “So, for him to be able to learn some of those words just to be able to better assist is pretty impressive.”
Despite his legacy, there has been little movement in Varela’s cause for canonization, which requires verified miracles attributed to his intercession.
“If people don’t know who he is, then they’re not praying to him or through his intercession,” Heanue said.
That is why Heanue is working to educate his parish and students about the late philosopher and writer.
“I felt like it was really good. I liked the lesson. I liked learning about him,” said Aubrey Sweat, a seventh grader. “I think he was a really good person.”
Students said Varela’s work remains relevant today as immigration continues to shape New York City.
“It relates a lot to today because there’s a lot of immigrants coming to New York, and a lot of bad things are happening, and there could be people who could stand up for them,” said seventh grader Logan Cordero.
“He helped the Irish, even though he was Spanish,” said Adriana Gonzalez. “But nowadays it’s kind of the opposite, and I think that there should be more people like him.”
Heanue said he hopes students will continue learning about Venerable Father Varela and, more importantly, ask for his intercession.