In Memory of Matilde Barrios

Seonghwa

Apr 26

Screen Shot 2021-04-26 at 3.25.13 PM.png — In Memory of Matilde Barrios

Matilde Barrios

Birth Date: July 19, 1934
Ascension Date: April 16, 2021

Sister Matilde Barrios was a native of the beautiful island of Puerto Rico where she was born on July 19, 1934. She was one of 14 children born to the Barrios family. Her father, Javier Francisco Barrios, originally from Cuba, was a farmer. The mother, Vicenta Velazquez, was a native of Puerto Rico. Matilda kindly remembered her father’s affectionate attitude towards her and her brothers and sisters. Her mother was much stricter in her parenting approach in the family. The 1930s were very challenging times in Puerto Rico, with economic depression bringing real frustrations in providing for the family, let alone taking care of ones ‘self.

In 1957 at the young age of 23, the opportunity came for Matilde to move to the mainland, USA, where she established her domicile in the City of New York. She found various opportunities to work as she settled herself. The Hispanic community then was primarily made up of Puerto Ricans who migrated to the mainland for much better economic opportunities, and it must also be remembered that these same Puerto Ricans who spoke Spanish with their uniquely beautiful Caribbean culture were also full-fledged Citizens of the USA.

In 1975, a young man named Michael Downey first met Matilde and introduced her to the Unification Church as it was then called. Matilde joined the movement as a ‘home member’ dedicating herself in study and living the lifestyle of the Divine Principle. She along with a number of early Hispanic members, Juan Morales, Antonio Betancourt, Esteban Galvan, Elio Roman, and others laid the foundations for the development of the Latino outreach ministries. Matilde associated herself with the Unification Church located at 4 West 43rd St where she attended services regularly. Matilde loved Father and Mother Moon. She loved to share the truth of the Principle with others and would sometimes feel very troubled when witnessing efforts were not front and center of activities. She would say in her uniquely beautiful sounding accent, “how can we grow if we don’t share this message with other people!” “Let’s go to Bryant Park to meet people.” Her home, located in midtown, became a location of Home Church activities, prayers, and Divine Principle study. Matilde remained faithful to True Parents from the day of her joining in 1975 to the day of her transition, 46 years of devotion.

Challenging medical conditions visited her in recent months as she found herself in and out of the hospital. In the end, she felt the calling of her loving Parent in Heaven, choosing to remain home in spite of another medical crisis demanding hospital care. Her spiritual son, Manuel Resto, was present with her on the evening of April 16 as she journeyed to her eternal hometown.

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