Birthdate: July 24, 1952 URS: May 26, 2025
Maria Christina Fernandez was born in Havana, Cuba of parents who had moved there from Spain. When Castro came to power in Cuba, she was in elementary school. Her mother and Cristina fled to Miami, and father stayed behind. They were never in contact with him after that. She grew up, attended university and taught high school art in Miami. She met Atum O’kane who initiated her into the then Sufi Order. Later she moved to the Abode. She went to India to serve as director of the Hope Project. Returning to the Abode she married Yaqin Joseph Aubert and they had two sons, Elias John and Sherdyl, who were both born at the Abode. She was a Cherag, healing conductor, retreat guide and Inner School guide
She continued to teach Spanish in Mass. living with Yaqin and Sherdyl until retiring. She passed peacefully in her sleep on the morning of May 26th.
Dear Yaqin. I am so very sorry to hear this news. My heart aches for you, losing your Beloved partner. I hope the days ahead bring solace and comfort and sweet memories.
Hello Yaqin – I am so sorry to hear of Maria Christina’s passing. I remember fondly your two trips to Toronto with your boys – it was a good time. I will always cherish the friendship I had with you & Maria Christina.
love, Ursula
Losing your partner in life is unspeakably hard. My heart goes out to you. She lives on in love and light. Love Harmony and Beauty. Peace
What a blessing to have known Maria Cristina! Yaqin, my heart breaks for your loss while simutaneouly feeling the great gift she brought to your life. Maria Cristina’s laugh, light, and sense of joy will always be remembered. She was a gift. May gratitude and sweet memories be always with you.
May her memory be a blessing for you and your boys.
Beautiful, steadfast, devoted Maria Christina. What an extraordinary life, and how gracefully you integrated the worlds in your daily life and practice. May your soul continue to unfold in love, harmony, and beauty.
I wonder how long it will take me to get used to the idea that she is actually gone from this earth. I see her everywhere in my mind‘s eye as I walk through the Abode. When I first moved to the Abode, María Cristina lived upstairs from me in what was then called Wali Manzil (and as yet inrenovated). We shared many stories and much laughter. She and Yaqin presided over my wedding in the Meditation Hall. She was such a valuable and stalwart member of our Center and she will be greatly missed in many ways, not only for the many things she did, but more so for the light she brought. And now I see her dancing in the Light…
Maria Cristina was a beacon of love, light, kindness, truth, wisdom and so much more and she offered love generously in service to the Message and humanity and as a friend. Her physical presence will be dearly missed, but her spirit will continue to live with us forever.
Peace & Blessings
Maria Christina guided my very first retreat in 1986 in Col des Saisies in the French Alps. She was on her way back to the US after a year in Delhi. Since then we became friends. For me she was: a pure angel of light, a powerful woman with clear visions and realizations and much more. During the past years she shared many Informations about the Abode and often invited me to join Universal Worships on Zoom. Although far in distance she felt so close in a kind of cosmic friendship. This connection will last forever, and yet I will miss her here. So sorry for her Beloveds , my thoughts travel to you across the ocean. Atesh from Germany
Dear Yaqin, E.J., and Sherdyl,
We are so sorry for the loss of your beloved wife and mother. We knew Maria Cristina only indirectly, through seeing how her gifts and influence helped E.J. grow into the kind, compassionate, generous, caring person he is today.
May her memories be a blessing to you all.
Love and Light,
Sam and Vickey K.
I treasure Maria Cristina’s long steady friendship. She was an example to me of how to hold outer obligations and tasks and keep the inner light kindled. Her smile, voice and atmosphere radiated throughout many circles.