Initiative: Background, Continuity, and Perspective
(* Acknowledgement: enhanced text after valuable contributions of the Society of Jesus, Ecuador)
The Church of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Riobamba (La Basílica), built between 1883 and 1915, conceived as a memorial of the Consecration of Ecuador to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1874, and inspired by the Basilica of Loyola, Sanctuary of Loyola -Basque Country, Spain- is part of the cultural heritage of Ecuador.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is an architectural work, and a converging point not only for the faith of its devotees, but also for the history of a country. As this historic building has suffered deterioration along the years, the Society of Jesus aims to give back the city of Riobamba and Ecuador a religious and cultural asset that contributes to the recovery of their identity, their memory and spirituality. The last integral restoration was finished in 1983.
Recently in 2019, in a first phase of restoration, the main dome and the exterior parts of the cupolas were intervened. To begin with the most urgent actions to guarantee the safety of those who daily come to La Basílica to participate in the sacraments and pastoral activity, a collaboration between the Municipality of Riobamba, the Jesuit Community -with San Felipe Neri Educational Unit- was started, and the "Invited to Collaborate" Campaign of the Society of Jesus launched, with an executive committee formed by representatives from various sectors of the citizenry to mobilize resources for the recovery of the architectural and cultural heritage; and, the comprehensive intervention of the Jesuit heritage in Riobamba, that made possible the restoration of the main dome and the exterior parts of the cupolas of La Basílica.
The Society of Jesus is aware that the first phase would not have been possible without the support and altruism of all the donors and people who participated in this cause -including the Municipality of Riobamba, private institutions, citizens and the students of San Felipe Neri- and expresses gratitude for their generosity.
Taking the relay to meet this challenge, interior parts of the church are in an urgent need of restoration, particularly the cupolas -and their decorative and figurative painting, the wooden floor, and a pipe organ -brought from Canada in 1917.
Sensible to this situation, after a casual visit to the church on 5 January 2022, alumni of Colegio San Felipe Neri (“grupo de voluntarios”, GDVA, now GDVA Foundation, Inc.) volunteered and decided to initiate a brief fundraising project to continue with the restoration -in a second phase dedicated to the interior part of La Basílica- counting in advance on voluntary contributions from all existing alumni of Unidad Educativa San Felipe Neri, and the citizens of Riobamba, and Ecuador. Contributions from citizens of other parts of the world are heartily welcome! The necessary technical studies and planification for the internal restoration of La Basílica have already been done by the same group of professional experts who were in charge of the first -external restoration- phase, under the direction of the Society of Jesus in Ecuador. We need the funds!
This kind of Cultural Heritage is sustainable when people, as well as public and private institutions, and the Church walk together and join efforts through direct financial contributions and personal involvement. The Society of Jesus also foresees the touristic projection of La Basílica as an icon of religious tourism, that could be offered in Riobamba after a suitable search for resources for the implementation of integral projects that are likely to bring economic development, employment and wellbeing to society in general.
The city of Riobamba -with a current population of circa 146000 inhabitants- has been cradle of historic facts and people in Ecuador. Its people also witnessed the expulsion of the Jesuits from Ecuador -and among them, of Juan de Velasco, illustrious son of Riobamba, a historian who died in Faenza, Italy- as well as the posterior return of these untiring educators dedicated to the service of society, who established themselves again in Ecuador, and since 1863 have directed Unidad Educativa San Felipe Neri -founded as high school, or “Colegio” by Rev. Don José Veloz y Suárez, in 1836, in Riobamba. The people of Riobamba played also an important role during the edification of La Basílica, with both, generous financial contributions and personal involvement. Past of example; present illuminated by gratitude, acknowledgement, and action; future of hope and renewed gratitude: La Basílica is Riobamba and Ecuador! We all are Riobamba and Ecuador!