Artist Reynier Leyva Novo, in partnership with the Worden School for Social Work, Our Lady of the Lake University, invite you for a Mass of Remembrance, dedicated to all the immigrants that have been lost during their journey to a new home.
For more than ten years, Novo has been doing a series of masses for people the artist has interacted with in his work. Mostly held in his hometown, Parraga, Havana, at the Santa Barbara Church, these Masses honored heroes, martyrs, thinkers, poets, politicians, historical figures, family and friends that have accompanied his practice. The Mass that will take place on March 2 will honor Cubans and people from around the world, as well as immigrants, that cross the border to the United States of America, or those who have lost their lives on their journey. This collaboration came to fruition through Novo’s talks and investigations for his 2023 Artpace residency exhibition, opening March 16, 2023.
Novo told Artpace, “I am honored to be able to organize this mass as a public and social artwork and generate a beautiful collaboration between the Worden School of Social Service, the Mission and Ministry Department of the University of Our Lady of the Lake and Artpace.”
This will be a bilingual Mass. As people walk into the chapel, there will be the “Book of life” that will have the names of the immigrants who died in June 2022, when a tractor trailer filled with migrants was abandoned on a desolate road in San Antonio, Texas. Fifty-three people died in what is now referred to as the deadliest human smuggling incident in United States history. The people were held and abandoned in the trailer with no air conditioning and no water in the middle of a Texas summer. The “Book of life” will also be available for people to add other names to.
Event Schedule
5–5:45pm, OLLU Chapel, Officiated by Father Kevin
Bilingual Welcome – Dr. Karina Gil
Readings in Spanish – Dr. Karina Gil
Readings in English
After the Homily: Sister Rose Anne and Novo will read the names at the end of the Mass
6–7pm, Main 311 A and B
Reception and Lecture: Featuring Cuban Artist Reynier Leyva Novo
Welcome and Introductions – Dr. Karina Gil
Artist presentation followed by Q&A
Sacred Heart Chapel
Our Lady of the Lake University
411 S.W. 24th Street
San Antonio, TX 78207
