Deacon Freddy: A Servant of God

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon…

 

For Deacon Freddy, the Prayer of St. Francis holds special meaning—it helped heal him from the emotional and psychological wounds of being a political prisoner in Cuba. He vividly remembers his time in a Cuban prison. “When I tell you it's terrible, it’s everything that people could tell you is true. It’s cruel.”

Even during his eight years in prison, he never lost faith. “Faith is everything, and hope is your companion every day. So you cannot survive over there without faith and hope, without God,” he says.

Even though he held on to his faith, Freddy emerged from prison a changed man—filled with hate and rage. It was only when he met the love of his life, his wife Clarita, whom he calls his angel, that the healing truly began. “I don't have any space for love or for understanding or nothing like that. I came out of prison and she made me understand, and she opened my eyes, my heart, then, I start to forget, forgive.”

Deacon Freddy was fortunate to leave Cuba with Clarita, his daughter, and his mother-in-law. In 1978, they arrived in Gretna, not knowing any English. But he didn’t have to look far to find a church offering Mass in Spanish. He found a spiritual home at Christ the King and has been part of the parish for 47 years.

Over the years, he served the church in every role: as an usher, a lector, and even a member of the choir. But his most meaningful role was that of Deacon. After encouragement from friends and family and nearly five years of study at Notre Dame Seminary, Freddy became Deacon Freddy. He served the people of Christ the King and two other parishes for over 20 years until his retirement in 2023.

A servant of God, Deacon Freddy describes his calling: “When someone needs you, when you are in pain and you are suffering, I have to come to you, to help you, to bring you my hug, my words, to console you. You are crying. I have to cry with you. You are laughing. I have to laugh with you.”

The most poignant moments came in comforting the sick. “I have a few people that I remember that I have served at the last minute. I am praying for them. They have died in my arms,” he remembers.

After years of service across three parishes, the stress eventually took a toll on his own health. Deacon Freddy suffered two heart attacks and underwent two open-heart surgeries. Yet, through it all, he remained fearless. “I entered the surgery room singing. I said God, I am yours and yours alone.”

At 81, Deacon Freddy recalls his life with emotion and heart. Through all his pain, suffering, and joy, he remains devoted to the church and a true servant of God. 

Thank you, Deacon Freddy, for the 47 years of service to Christ the King. We are forever grateful.