Five hundred participants celebrate by singing ?Las Mañanitas?

A son of Acatlàn de Juárez, in Jalisco, Mexico, drew admiration and sympathy. Basilio Rueda was called to his Father?s house ten years ago and it was a very significant day. An important group of five hundred persons, Marist Brothers, students from the colleges of Guadalajara and Cocula, parents, teachers and neighbours from the population of Acatlán, gathered together before the front door of the house where Brother Basilio was born, on the anniversary of his birth, to put before the eyes of all what this house means for the inhabitants of Acatlán and for the Marist world.

With cherished and warm applause, the song of ?Las Mañanitas? which always celebrates memorable mornings, and the performance of other popular Mexican airs, played with spirit in a vibrant pot-pourri, the joy of the participants showed itself in the unveiling of the plaque which reminded us: In this place was born the distinguished educator and teacher, Brother Basilio Rueda Guzmán, 1924-1996, Superior General of the Marist Brothers, 1967-1985. Acatlán de Juárez, Jal. 16th October 2006.?

This event gave the chronicler of the city the occasion to situate historically the person and his historic circumstances. Brother José Flores Garcia (Chepo) gave the pedagogical portrait of Brother Basilio and a student from the Cervantes College proclaimed to the wind with a juvenile voice the rhymes and verses of Brother Teófilo Blanco entitled ?Captain of our ship.?

A simple, sober ceremony but one charged with emotion which left an agreeable memory in the family of Brother Basilio and in all those who participated in this moving tribute. The people of Acatlán are more aware today that with Brother Basilio, their fellow citizen, they have offered a magnificent gift that they are sharing today with the Marists and with the Church.