The young Arnaldo Socorro was 19 years old and born in the city of Union de Reyes. He had been living in Havana for a few years before Batista abandon the power. In Havana he lived a modest life with scarce economic resources. He was able to get a scholarship to study in "Belen" a Jesuit private school that granted scholarships to 10% of their students. In "Belen" Arnaldo not only studied the academic curriculum but he also reinforced his religious faith.

In the year 1961, three years after the Communists took power in Cuba it became difficult to practice religion under their atheist regime.

On September 10, 1961, Arnaldo was with other Catholics in the Church of Charity in Havana. The bishop Eduardo Boza Masvidal was celebrating the Mass. The Church and its surroundings were crowded with parishioners who disregarded the threats of the also present Communists. Suddenly a voice among the parishioners yelled now lets get the procession in the street. Everybody seconded the motion. The young Arnaldo was carrying the picture of the Virgin of Charity, patroness of Cuba. He crossed the door to walk outside in the streets

Once in the streets the thousands waiting for the prohibited manifestation began to yell long live Christianity and long live our patroness.

Without delay the State Security Police deployed their troops. The Communist did not allow religious processions out in the street. The streets belong to the Communist according to them. Immediately they began a general attack against the manifestation of faith. They beat them with clubs. Some Marxists got their weapons out and began to shoot against the faithful. Over fifteen Christians fell wounded. Unfortunately, a bullet hit Arnaldo in the back. Holding to the picture of the patroness Arnaldo Socorro fell to the ground. Soon he was going to be in the presence of God.

Around 400 people were detained and some of the more seriously wounded were taken to the hospital before going to jail. They were those with broken bones and those bleeding from head and face injuries.

Cynically enough the Communist government took the dead body of Arnaldo Socorro and at first accused the Christians of having killed him. They argued at first that Arnaldo had been in the place to fight off the Christian manifestation. In Arnaldo's funeral the Communists began to yell, down with the Fascist or Falangist priests, death to the anti Communist worms. They accused a Catholic priest of having shot Arnaldo. Later, after the forced funeral, the truth was spread to everyone. Arnaldo was a serious Jesuit and was carrying the picture of the patroness while leading the manifestation.

Nobody but the government officials is allowed to carry weapons in Communist Cuba.

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