NEWSLETTER | #05
MARCH 2026 – JUNE 2026
“I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already burning!”
Luke 12:49
Ignis Mundi aspires to be that Fire—one that illuminates but does not blind, that gives warmth but does not burn, that guides in the night but does not destroy.
A Fire that ignites other fires. A Fire that takes shape through action, as we have experienced over the past three months.
EASTER MISSION
a time of fellowship, service, and spirituality that we observe during Holy Week.
Nearly eighty missionaries from different parts of the world devoted their time and effort to accompany the Guido community and kindle the fire of faith within them. Specifically, they go out into the streets and visit homes; this year, we visited Sector 8 of our neighborhood, one of the most neglected and in need. In the afternoons, we split into different workshops for children, youth, and adults, in addition to sharing, participating, and leading the Easter Triduum as active members of our parish, Our Lady of Fatima.
A working group set out to improve a home: a family of six, headed by a single mother; we wanted to support her beauty business, so we helped her set up and renovate a space in her home to serve as a beauty salon. We also realized that the entire house needed a little help to improve their quality of life; a fresh coat of paint, tidying up, new furniture, and some decor transformed this house into a renewed home, which in turn renewed this family’s life.
Year after year, the Easter Mission is becoming a time of grace for the entire community—an occasion for many people to come from different places and experience how faith, expressed through service to those most in need, is the best way to live out the Paschal Mystery.
FIRE
If you follow our newsletters, you’ll know that we have five action programs: Impulsa, Crea, Forja, Restaura, and Dignifica. Through these broad umbrella programs, we strive to organically reach every facet of the human being.
Forja is undoubtedly the program with the most participants, because sports have an undeniable appeal; soccer, boxing, taekwondo, skateboarding, volleyball, and Ignis Fit are, for now, the sports we offer.
But it’s not enough for us to simply attract hundreds of young people and children here and be just a place for entertainment and education through sports; we don’t want to be just a club, but rather a place where the Fire of Love shapes the souls and lives of these people to bring about a profound change in them—and, through them, in the entire neighborhood.
FUEGO was born out of that desire for change; it stems from a coordinated effort to ensure, on the one hand, that these young people continue their education and learn to value their studies as a means to improve their lives—rather than as a burden—and, on the other hand, to instill values in them.
170 schoolboys and schoolgirls who participate in one of our programs, under the guidance and support of the missionaries themselves, meet every two months to work on themselves, get to know one another, value one another, love one another, and understand that they are the spark that can bring about change—positive change—in the lives of many people.
Each missionary is in charge of a group of about 10–12 high school-aged youth (ages 13–18), and during the sessions we hold every two months, we explore different topics through activities, games, workshops, and more…
We've already held two "Fuego" sessions with very high participation, and we're starting to see how the boys and girls are opening up and getting excited. The entire training program was designed by two psychologists.
As part of the program, these same boys and girls participate in Impulsa, where they can receive academic support that enables them to successfully complete their schooling, knowing that dropping out of school is one of the major problems facing our youth.
IMPULSA
And speaking of Impulsa, we have some wonderful news: thanks to the generosity of some benefactors, we’ve been able to hire two teachers who will work alongside our missionary Mariana, leading and professionalizing the entire academic support program.
Carolina and Andrei are our teachers, and not only are they outstanding professionals, but they’re also neighbors of the Guidos, which fills us with joy and pride.
MIAMI MISSION
Last June, we held the third edition of Misión Miami; 22 young people from Florida, accompanied by four adults, spent a week participating in a service mission, renovating three homes, helping to refurbish one of the parish chapels, visiting families, organizing a youth party, and livening up our afternoons at the mission center. We are so grateful to our friends at Misión Mundi for helping us organize these missions that bring together service, formation, spirituality, youth, and mission.
Behind every Dignificación lies a story of great effort, of overcoming challenges—and sometimes pain as well—but above all, of hope.
MARCO CALZADA CUP
On the last weekend of June, we held the fourth edition of the Marco CalzadaCup. This year, more than 40 soccer teams participated in five categories, including women’s soccer, competing over four exciting days. But it wasn’t just soccer—there was also taekwondo, skateboarding, volleyball, and our guitar and music ensemble students, who delighted us with a concert.
We would like to thank all the companies and anonymous individuals who supported us financially, through donations, and by giving their time and assistance, to make this dream of love a reality.
Marco is undoubtedly a flame that ignites other flames, and with his help, we want to continue working to bring light to those who live in darkness. The mission is far from over; we thank you for your friendship, companionship, support, and prayers, so that we may maintain the strength needed to move forward with this desire to make the world a home for everyone.
[ ABOUT US ]
THE INFURNA BENATUIL FAMILY
We're Cori and Daniel, along with our children Francisco, Teresa, and a little girl on the way (she's due in October!).
Cori was born in Venezuela and, at age 14, moved with her family to Miami, United States. Daniel was born in New Jersey but grew up in Vermont. We met in New York City, but our story began long before that, when God was preparing us through mission work: Cori in Haiti and Daniel in Madagascar. As we started a family, a question arose that changed the course of our lives: “Lord, where do you want us?” The answer led us to Ignis Mundi.
Today we are delighted to serve the community with the gifts God has placed in our hands. Cori supports others through art and creativity, while Daniel, who is passionate about nature, tends to the community garden and the center’s green spaces. Together, we strive to help each person discover their beauty and dignity through an encounter with art and creation.
The most beautiful thing about living here is seeing the Lord transform lives: where there was darkness, light is born; where there was despair, hope blossoms; and where there was no peace, little by little, He brings it about.