"At 3:05 this morning an earthquake struck. There are deaths; the number is unknown.

I have no news at this time of Concepción, Cauquenes, Chillán (near the epicenter). Historic Talca is in ruins. There is a lot of damage in Santiago. Once again stained glass windows have fallen in our basilica. There are large cracks in the structure of there building itself.

Bridges have fallen. There is word that the church in Providencia has been razed.

None of the religious here has been hurt. We are fine, but haven't had much sleep since the whole house was shaken. Things have fallen everywhere and not a book remains on the shelves, at least wherever I have looked.

I just got outside during a strong aftershock.

Our house has sustained enormous damage.

All we can do is pray.

We will have to raise funds to help others and ourselves.

Electricity just returned. That's why I am writing. We can't contact our religious in the south (N.B. Lota is about 100 miles south of the epicenter)."

Bro Ramón, a.a.
Saturday, February 27, 2010