The Esperanza family mourns the loss of Luis Antonio Cortés (1937-2020) father of Rev. Luis Cortés, Jr. Founder, President & CEO and Rev. Danny Cortés, Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff for Esperanza. Gifts may be made in his memory in lieu of flowers to support the vision for a chapel on Esperanza’s main campus.

Luis Antonio Cortés was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico in 1937 and later moved to New York City, where he met Rosa Miriam Vega, his wife of 63 years. Together they raised their three children, Luis, Albert and Danny, and enjoyed the blessing of 6 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. He was 83 years of age.

As one of the nation’s largest Hispanic faith based non-profit organizations founded by the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia, we have long envisioned a chapel on our campus to serve our neighbors, students, and guests. The chapel will serve as an extension of our mission “to serve the least of these” driven by Matthew 25:40.

La Capilla Camino Esperanza will offer a sacred space for quiet contemplation and community worship, provide sanctuary to the stranger, and deliver hope to those long suffering under the burden of poverty, trauma and neglect. The chapel will be a place to step away from the pressures of life and to rediscover the hope of living into the opportunity afforded us by God’s abundant love.

While the family grieves, they take comfort in their faith and in the support and encouragement of the Esperanza community. As the psalmist says: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. (Psalms 116:15).