5 Keys to the formation of Humberto Salas in Venezuela

Despite his youth, this priest already administers the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima in El Mene. Here, the spiritual and material needs are pressing. He also serves as notary of the Cabimas Diocesan Curia. His dedication is fundamental to face these challenges. The training and education are vital for young people today.

Humberto Alonso Salas at 27 years old is already in the front line of the Catholic Church. He carries the teachings of the Church as a priest wherever the occasion presents itself. He fulfills his childhood dream of being a missionary, like Pope Leo XIV.

He does not have to leave his homeland to proclaim the Gospel among a people who either do not know God or who urgently need him. His spiritual and pastoral preparation allows him to fulfill this purpose. This reflects the importance of the formation and education in the life of a priest.

Sacerdote celebrando la Eucaristía — Humberto Salas during the celebration of the Eucharist.

This Venezuelan priest tells in this interview to the CARF Foundation that, although his country has been predominantly Catholic, in the last decades there has been a drop in the number of faithful. According to the latest studies, 67 % of Venezuelans still consider themselves Catholic. However, the rise of sects and evangelical groups continues to cause a decrease in the number of believers. Therefore, the religious formation of the population is crucial to reverse this trend.

Religious education is a fundamental pillar that must be strengthened in Venezuela. This will help all those who seek faith and hope in difficult times. The preparation of young people is essential to foster a better future.

The complicated situation in Venezuela has not helped the boom in vocations either. Humberto relates his experience: "The social and economic crisis in Venezuela can be felt in every reality, even in the ecclesiastical one. When I was in my first years in the seminary, I considered the option of leaving it to work and help my parents".

Dos seminaristas — Humberto Salas with a fellow seminarian from Bidasoa.

The example that attracts

Faith formation is crucial in a country where spirituality is threatened. They need more young people committed to their religious and spiritual formation. Despite this critical situation, the social aid provided by the Church to the most needy has been growing every year. "It has been a home and refuge for many people who have felt lonely or despised. A place of welcome for parents who have seen their children go abroad in search of better opportunities. It has been, as Pope Francis said, a field hospital," adds this young priest.

Before entering the seminary, Humberto started a career in Graphic Design. However, the political situation in Venezuela forced him to return home for security reasons. This hard event allowed this young man to become even more involved in his parish, living his faith more deeply. His family was very believing and many priests were close to them. This allowed him to know well the reality of what it means to be a priest. The formation he received at home and the contact with priests close to him were essential for his integral development.

This was an important element in the theological education of the priest. This is how he remembers it: "Having closer contact with them at home, getting to know their human side, sitting at the table with them, listening to them and realizing that they are men like me, with weaknesses and strengths, had a great influence on me. I asked myself the question: "Why not me? God answered that question. At a very young age, he entered the seminary.

He spent the first years of his preparation in Venezuela, where he appreciated the importance of education in his life. In 2019, his bishop decided to send him to Pamplona for further formation in the Bidasoa international seminarthanks to the study grants awarded by the CARF Foundation.

"I think it has been one of the greatest gifts God has given me. When the bishop told me, I was afraid, because I was 21 years old and it was the first time I would be away from my family for so long. But I saw it as an opportunity that God gave me to prepare myself well, learn a lot and return to serve my Church in Cabima", says the now priest, grateful for that education.

The formation he received in Pamplona enriched his understanding of the faith and strengthened it. This enabled him to pass it on with passion. This formation is a testimony of how study and devotion can go hand in hand. In addition, training in different cultures and traditions has been vital to her personal and spiritual development. This has helped him connect with different communities in Venezuela. It is essential that young priests like Humberto receive ongoing formation. This will allow them to adapt to the changes and challenges of today's world, keeping the faith alive in their communities.

Sacerdotes y monaguillos — Don Humberto in the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima.

Devotion to the Virgin of Pilar

The preparation and support of benefactors are crucial for future priests to fulfill their mission. This helps them to continue helping the community and provides them with essential resources for their education. At the end of the academic year, the seminary students reflect on the importance of education. This has allowed them to grow in faith and in their commitment to the Church. The benefactors who support the seminarians do invaluable work. They help improve the formation of future priests and ensure that the faith continues to flourish in Venezuela.

He defines his experience in Pamplona as "my great school". This is both for what he experienced at the University of Navarra and in Bidasoa. He relates an anecdote that showed him the gift he had received. "When I was in the seminary in Venezuela, we used the books published by the University of Navarra. When I arrived in Pamplona, I saw that the authors of those books were my professors. This made me realize what an opportunity God was giving me: to be well trained, to make the most of those years and to nourish myself with everything I need to serve the Church in my country.".

"Encounters that leave a mark".

On a more spiritual level, Humberto says that visiting places where many saints lived and gave their lives was a great help in strengthening his life of piety. One place and one saint especially touched his heart during this Spanish stage.

"Those years made me take a very special affection for the Virgen del Pilar, which was the first shrine we visited when we arrived in Spain and the last one I went to before returning to Venezuela. Also to the figure of St. JosemaríaI knew him very little when I arrived, but in those years, as a good friend, he helped me to face many difficulties".

Despite his short experience, since he was ordained in December 2023, Humberto is clear that today's priest needs, above all, "knowing oneself to be in need of God and of the other.". In his opinion, "in the priestly life we cannot go alone; we need to be accompanied by friends, brothers, a spiritual director. It is necessary to go out of ourselves and count on others". He also recognizes the importance of a good ongoing formation and the need to be nourished by the experiences of others.

"No challenge becomes difficult if you have people to help you face it. No danger can hurt you if your spiritual life is strengthened," he adds.

"Without you my training would not have been possible."

Finally, Father Humberto has a special memory for the benefactors of the CARF Foundation. "I remember with joy the times when you accompanied us in the ministries we were receiving throughout our formation. Even though we did not have family nearby, you filled those empty spaces with your presence. Thank you for being our family!".

This young priest also notes how the seminary was looking forward to the end of the academic year. It was an opportunity to spend a pleasant moment with the benefactors of the CARF Foundation and give back, even if it was just a little, of how much they do for us. This young priest also highlights how the seminary was looking forward to the end of the academic year. It was an opportunity to spend a pleasant moment with the benefactors and give back, even if it was just a little, of how much they do for us.

Father Humberto Alonso Salas has the benefactors present thanks to the backpack of sacred vessels which was given to him by the Social Action Board of the CARF Foundation. He makes constant use of it. "When I visit the rural communities of my parish and I take with me the backpack of sacred vessels that they gave me when I came from Pamplona, I can't help but keep them very much in mind and recommend their intentions at Mass. May God continue to abundantly bless your lives and the work you do for seminarians and priests all over the world. Without you it would not have been possible", he concludes.

"Witnesses of mercy and hope": Teachings of Pope Francis

April 21 will go down in history as a date of profound significance for the Catholic Church. On that day, the world received the news of the death of Pope FrancisThe first Jesuit and Latin American pontiff, who strongly marked the course of the Church in the 21st century. In a coincidence that many have interpreted as providential, that same day saw the publication of a book titled "Witnesses of mercy and hope. The teachings of Pope Francis for the 21st century."written by Spanish theologian Ramiro Pellitero.

Published by St. Paul's, this volume offers a profound and systematic exposition of the thought of Pope Francis from a theological and pastoral perspective. It is a work intended for both specialists and the general public who wish to understand in depth the keys to a pontificate that has left an indelible mark on the recent history of the Church.

Download 1st chapter: Witnesses of mercy and hope. The teachings of Pope Francis for the 21st century.

A spiritual testament in life

The publication of this book on the same day of the pope's death has given the work an almost testamentary character. Although it was not written by the pontiff himself, Witnesses of mercy and hope rigorously reflects his great intuitions and priorities: a Church on the move, centered on mercy, committed to the poor and called to heal the wounds of the world.

Ramiro Pellitero, professor of Theology at the University of Navarra and author of multiple essays on ecclesiology, presents in this volume a clear, profound and well-documented synthesis of the magisterium of Pope Francis. Through its pages, readers will be able to explore the ideas that have animated the encyclicals, exhortations, speeches and gestures of the Argentine pontiff during his pontificate.

Prologue by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça

The work has a valuable prologue by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, who highlights the theological and pastoral value of the book. In his words, the Portuguese cardinal underlines that this volume "is not only a reading of Francis' thought, but an invitation to live it, to incarnate it in the daily commitment of believers with Christian hope".

Tolentino, recognized for his spiritual sensitivity and his ability to build bridges between faith and contemporary culture, also points out the timeliness of the publication, which coincides with the need to preserve and deepen the legacy of Pope Francis: "The teaching of Francis does not end with his earthly life; it lives on in every gesture of mercy, in every word of comfort, in every courageous decision of those who seek to renew the Church from the Gospel".

Montage made by ChatGPT of the book Witnesses of mercy and hope.

A reference work for our time

Structured in thematic chapters, Witnesses of mercy and hope addresses central issues of Francis' thought: mercy as the core of the Christian message, the role of the poor as evangelizing subjects, integral ecology as an expression of justice, ecclesial reform as a path of conversion, and synodality as a style of a Church that listens, discerns and walks together.

The author places special emphasis on the pastoral character of Pope Francis: a style of government that favors encounter, closeness and tenderness. Far from proposing an abstract or academic theology, Francis has wanted to speak to the heart of people, especially those who suffer. The book faithfully captures this dimension, showing how Francis exercised his Petrine ministry in a profoundly evangelical spirit.

A providential tribute

The coincidence between the publication of the book and the death of Pope Francis has been received with emotion by many sectors of the Church. Not a few see in it a providential homage: a written summary of his legacy that reaches the world just as the Pope is returning to the Father's house. The very title of the book - Witnesses of mercy and hope - perfectly sums up the spirit of Francis and the message he leaves to humanity.

Now available in religious bookstores and digital platformsThis book is an indispensable reading for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the spiritual richness of Francis' pontificate and continue to make his legacy bear fruit in the Christian communities of the world.

A legacy that continues

The death of Pope Francis marks the end of an era, but not the end of his influence. His thought, his gestures and his example will continue to illuminate the path of millions of believers. Books such as Ramiro Pellitero's help to preserve and transmit this legacy, and offer tools to live the Gospel today with audacity, compassion and hope.

With this publication, the Church not only looks back with gratitude, but prepares to move forward, inspired by one of the most significant pontificates of our era.

Leo XIV: two priests from Peru speak about him

Father Erick Vílchez is a Peruvian who personally knew the Pope Leo XIV. When he was a seminarian and was training to be a priest, he attended the episcopal ordination of Robert Francis Prevost as master of ceremonies. He belongs to the territorial prelature of Chota, suffragan of the archdiocese of Piura.

"I have known Pope Leo XIV since he was Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo. As those who know him have stated, I always saw him as a very close person, with a great capacity for dialogue, who knows how to listen, smiling and very obedient. He has a lot of strength. But above all I would emphasize his deep love for the Church."emphasizes Don Erick.

But what he remembers most fondly was the day he participated as master of ceremonies in the episcopal ordination of Leo XIV on December 12, 2014.

Erick's first encounter with the Pope Leo XIV The first time I spoke with Monsignor Robert, when he had just arrived in Chiclayo, I introduced myself and told him: "Monsignor, we are in charge of the liturgy, we are here to serve". I remember that with his simplicity and with a smile he answered me: "Well, just in case, I am very obedient. So let's prepare in the best way". There, I saw that closeness, his simplicity of that then Monsignor Robert, now Holy Father", declared Erick.

An agreement with the University of Navarra

Don Erick was formed and studied at the seminary of St. Toribio de Mogrovejo in Chiclayo (Peru) when Monsignor Robert Francis Prevost Martinez was bishop of the diocese. He was ordained in 2019 at the age of 26. He is currently studying for a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology at the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra.

The seminar has a agreement with the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarra for the affiliation of the theological quadrennium of the seminary. This agreement was endorsed by a decree of the Congregation for Catholic Education on seminaries and institutes of study, which is renewed every five years.

On May 8 last year, the company was awarded the baccalaureate exam of four seminarians of Santo Toribio with the visit of the Prof. Félix María Arocenaof the University of Navarra.

In a prison in Chiclayo

Erick also recalls that he met Bishop Prevost in a prison in Chiclayo to assist prisoners and celebrate the sacraments in prison. "In some conversations I had with him, he insisted that we must be formed with a missionary mentalityWe need to value the sense of mission, starting with our own, with those closest to us," he points out.

This Peruvian priest is hopeful that the new Pope Leo XIV, who has dual American and Peruvian nationality, will encourage many young Peruvians to consider returning to the Catholic Church and others to join the Catholic Church. deepen their vocationwhether to become a priest, for religious consecration or as a lay person, celibate or in a vocational marriage commitment.

I am very excited!

"The Pope is always the Pope, but we are very happy to have a Peruvian Pope, I feel very excited," exclaims Erick.

Don Christian, Canon Law student in Navarra, Spain

Christian Munayco Peves is another Peruvian priest, a native of Cañete, who has just finished his degree in Canon Law at the University of Navarra. He belongs to the diocese of Ayacucho in the highlands of the Peruvian Andes. He completed his philosophical-theological studies at the San Martin de Porres Major Seminary in Lima and concluded them at the Juan XXIII Higher Institute of Theological Studies.

He was ordained a priest on the feast of St. Josemaría Escrivá, June 26, 2021. Christian tells how he met Leo XIVMy archbishop was twice elected president of the bishops' conference. That meant that I was constantly coming to the bishops' conference to meet and discuss matters. In the corridors of the conference I remember meeting the man who is now the Holy Father. We exchanged a cordial greeting, but not beyond that. Of those few experiences, I can say that he is an affable, friendly person, of few words, but above all extremely simple and close".

The missionary spirit of Leo XIV

For him, Pope Leo XIV has been a shepherd in constant communion and communication with his faithful, and his visit to Peru only recognizes that God can be followed and served outside our own lands, with a missionary spirit of service, abnegation and personal oblivion.

He also says that, among his fellow Peruvians, knowing that the Pope knows his territory very well, "we appreciate it with great courage, his stance of always confronting with the truth, realities and circumstances that have demanded his defense and listening, on issues concerning social order, charity and justice".

The Pope and the youth

For this priest, who comes from a deeply Catholic family that guided him on the path of his vocation, the election of a Peruvian Pope will stir the conscience of the young people of Peru to consider their vocation: "Undoubtedly, this election is a living and effective testimony that one can be happy in the midst of the world, serving and working in God's enterprise, saving souls.

The environment in which Pope Leo worked-both as an Augustinian religious and as a bishop- was always in the midst of young people, the same people who, since their election, have been called to rethink with greater interest their closeness to the Church and the parish, to reconsider that, in parallel to the life and professional work that each one of them carries out, one can be a saint, with that patent restlessness of knowing that many times God asks for more, because he knows more, and because he wants more from those he loves", he affirms.

"Do not be afraid!"

For him, the first words of the Holy Father on Sunday in the Regina Coeli to young people: Do not be afraid, accept Christ's invitation! We refer with special affection to the words of St. John Paul II, also at the beginning of his pontificate.

"Therefore, it is a message of hope.We cannot be afraid to experience a life that, for purely human reasons, tends to go against the designs and proposals of love and forgiveness outlined by Jesus.

Faced with this dissonance, God counts on us to be co-redeemersto carry with him the cross of human logic, which often tries to diminish the value and validity of his message. Therefore, the message of "not being afraid" invites us to bet on the truth, even though its defense entails the offensive of suffering, exclusion, or injustice, but behind it opens a huge door to heaven," Christian explains.

Testimony of priestly life

This young priest believes that today, to care for vocations in general, and in Peru in particular, the answer is: with a true witness of priestly life. "For this reason, I cannot fail to thank the Spanish missionary priests who, leaving their homelands, promoted priestly vocations in my parish. They were faithful witnesses and credible models that opting for the priesthood was a decision that led to happiness".

For Don Christian, the papal election has been very joyful news for all Peruvians.It has not only awakened overflowing and gratifying emotions, but has also given us back our enthusiasm for the things of God, and that important spiritual sense of identification and belonging to our local Church".

Pope speaks of unity

He is also struck, with a deep sense of hope, by the fact that the Pope has spoken of unityThe Church, in the midst of a world divided by hatred, political calculations, wars of arms, but also by wars of a spiritual nature that try to divide the Church, is a world divided by hatred, political calculations, wars of arms, but also by wars of a spiritual nature that try to divide the Church.

"We trust that, assisted by the Holy Spirit, and united to our prayers, the Church will go in the right direction, because it has a good shepherd whose goal is to ensure that each of his sheep not only walk in the good fold, but above all that they do not get lost. I want to take this opportunity to thank the CARF Foundation for allowing many of us priests to be trained to serve with better academic means the people that God entrusts to us", concludes Christian Munayco Peves.

Marta Santínjournalist specializing in religion.

What is the Rosary and why is Our Lady of the Rosary important?

The Holy Rosary is a Marian prayer that takes on even more meaning during the month of May, the month dedicated to Our Lady. Praying it throughout the month (and throughout life!) is an act of love and gratitude to Mary, our Mother, who always guides us to her Son, Jesus Christ.

Another important date is also worth noting, the October 7, day dedicated to the Feast of the Virgin of the Rosary. As St. Josemaría Escrivá used to say: "The Rosary is a powerful weapon that we Christians have to confront evil.

Offering it for priests and vocations is especially valuable and is in line with the prayers Pope Leo XIV has asked of us. At the CARF Foundation (learn about our work to help seminarians and priests) we understand the importance of these prayers to support the mission of the integral formation of seminarians and diocesan priests and religious men and women without financial resources throughout the world. Each Hail Mary is an act of faith that can transform lives, supporting those who have given their lives to the service of God and his Church.

How to pray the rosary: a practical guide

From the CARF Foundation we would like to invite you to join us in prayer by offering the Holy Rosary in a special way for our priests and for the vocations that will build the future of the Church. It is an opportunity for us to place in the hands of our Mother those who are already serving, and those who are in the process of formation. Follow these simple steps and offer each mystery with a heart full of faith:

Persevere: "By the sign of the Holy Cross, deliver us from our enemies, O Lord our God. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pray a My Lord Jesus ChristAsk for forgiveness for our sins. You can also ask for the strengthening of all priests and for the challenges they face in their mission.
In every mystery, before starting it meditates briefly on its contentsDepending on the day of the week, we will pray a different one. And offer it for someone or something special. To pray the corresponding mystery, begin with an Our Father and ten Hail Marys. Repeat this cycle five times, one decade of Hail Marys for each mystery, completing the contemplation of the five mysteries of the day.
At the end, a Gloria after each decade, giving thanks for all the help we are asking for. End the mystery with this prayer: Mary, Mother of Grace, Mother of mercy and mercy, defend us from our enemies and protect us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
After the five mysteries, you can recite the lauretan litanies.
At the end ofIf you wish, end the Rosary with the recitation of a Salve.

The mysteries of the Rosary: a path of prayer for our priests

As we pray the Holy Rosary, we reflect on the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries. Each of these moments invites us to reflect on the life of Jesus and Mary, and gives us the opportunity to offer our prayers for those most in need.

Joyful Mysteries: Monday and Saturday

The joyful mysteries invite us to reflect on the first years of Jesus' life and the joy of his coming into the world: the annunciation or incarnation of the Son of God; the visitation of Mary to St. Elizabeth; the birth of the Son of God in Bethlehem; the purification of our Mother and the presentation of her son in the temple; and the child lost and found in the temple.

Sorrowful Mysteries: Tuesday and Friday

The painful mysteries They fill us with hope by reminding us of all the sufferings, self-giving and love of Jesus before the resurrection and the victory of Christ over death: the prayer in the Garden of Olives; the scourging of the Lord tied to the pillar; the crowning with thorns; the cross on the road to Calvary; and the death of Jesus on the cross.

As we pray these mysteries we ask Mary to continue to inspire new priestly vocations, especially in these times when the world needs committed and very holy priests. Through her intercession, may the young people hear God's call and feel strengthened to dedicate their lives to the service of the Church and others.

Luminous mysteries: Thursday

The luminous mysterieswhich were created by St. John Paul IIhighlight some moments of Jesus' public life, such as his baptism; the miracle of the wedding at Cana; the preaching and proclamation of the kingdom of God; the transfiguration of the Lord; and the institution of the Eucharist.

As we pray these mysteries, we can pray for priests who are already serving, that they may continue to lead their communities with good humor, wisdom and compassion.

Glorious Mysteries: Wednesday and Sunday

With the mysteries glorious we rejoice in the triumph of Jesus over death and sin, over evil and the devil. We will meditate on his surrender on the cross that redeems us and with his resurrection opens the gates of heaven; the ascension of the Lord to heaven; the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and his mother Mary; the Assumption into heaven body and soul; and the coronation as queen and mistress of all creation.

Prayer for priestly vocations and for diocesan priests is an act of love on this feast; a gesture of faith that strengthens those who dedicate their lives to the service of God and a commitment to the future of our Church.

Why Our Lady of the Rosary is important

The feast of the Virgin of the Rosary, celebrated every October 7, is one of the most significant Marian commemorations in the Catholic liturgical calendar. This celebration not only honors the Virgin Mary under the invocation of the Rosary, but also commemorates historical and spiritual events that have deeply marked Christian devotion.

Table of contents summary

How to pray the rosary: a practical guide

The mysteries of the Rosary: a path of prayer for our priests

Joyful Mysteries: Monday and Saturday

Sorrowful Mysteries: Tuesday and Friday

Luminous mysteries: Thursday

Glorious Mysteries: Wednesday and Sunday

Why Our Lady of the Rosary is important

St. John Paul II and his family

St. John Paul II had a great affection for his parents. Admittedly, this kind of devotion is not common, as some people would find such a photograph nostalgic and sad. Karol Wojtila, on the other hand, kept his parents present until his departure for heaven.

Emilie Kaczorowska, the mother of St. John Paul II

Emilia always presented similarities with her son Karol, with a square and massive face, big eyes and a protruding nose. The daughter of poor artisans, her life was painful, for she soon became a motherless child. She was a woman of strong faith and ardent piety, with a special inclination to Marian devotions. She never enjoyed good health, but the birth of Karol gave her the strength and joy of seeing a healthy and robust child grow up, in contrast to a daughter who six years earlier had died at birth. Emilia had found in a young military man, who would become a captain, the ideal partner for the adventure of starting a family.

He was attracted not only by his good manners and courtesy but also by his deep piety. Stationed in the garrison of the small town of Wadowice, Captain Wojtyla had a modest salary and led a somewhat routine life. He spent many hours away from home, although he arrived home in time to share a peaceful family life, in which prayer and meditation played a prominent role, but also readings in the history and literature of Poland, the homeland that had regained its independence in 1918. As one of the pope's biographers put it, that home was a little Nazareth.

Words of St. John Paul II about his mother: "She was an exceptional woman... I owe my first religious education to her".

Photograph of Karol Wojtyla's parents on his wedding day.

Karol Wojtyła (father)

He was always a man of deep faith and discipline, whose life forever marked his son, the future St. John Paul II. He was a retired Austro-Hungarian military officer and later a Polish officer. After the death of his wife Emilia, he took on the rearing of Karol alone, instilling in him Marian devotion, love of prayer and fortitude in the face of adversity.

An austere but affectionate man, he took him to daily Mass and taught him to pray on his knees, even in times of Nazi occupation. His sudden death in 1941 left the young Karol an orphan at the age of 21, but his example of silent piety and dedication to God became the spiritual foundation of his vocation. John Paul II would always remember his father as his "first spiritual guide," the one who showed him that "holiness is not a luxury, but a duty"..

John Paul II's reflection on his father: "My father was a man with a great interior life... With him I learned to pray.".

san Juan Pablo II en brazos de su padre y su madre

The emptiness he experienced in his early years

At the age of nine, young Karol, familiarly known as Lolek, will witness the death of his mother. He is forty-five years old and has been the victim of nephritis. His father, who was fifty in 1929, was forced to retire from the army to take care of his young son.

There is also an older son of twenty-three years, Edmund, who some time before had gone to nearby Krakow to study medicine. This son, stationed in various hospitals, will make frequent visits to the family home to find his father and brother. However, in 1932, when he was only twenty-six years old, Edmund died of scarlet fever. He had caught it from a sick woman whom he had endeavored to cure. Such was his generous and energetic character and his passionate dedication to his vocation as a doctor.

On the road to his vocation to the priesthood

Both Karol, father and son, stay in the Wadowice home. The father prepares the meals, takes care of the cleaning and supervises the child's homework. In addition, in that house many rosaries are prayed, a way to get closer to the heavenly Mother. in the absence of the earthly mother. The son first attends a municipal school, and then the city high school. He is an outstanding student in many subjects, especially in religion, and will also be a hard-working soccer goalkeeper, who wins the sympathy of his classmates, among whom there are many Jews.

Before World War II, about a third of the city's population was Jewish. The young Karol will be impressed by the extreme care Jews put into their religious rites, which sometimes contrasts with empty Christian churches and routine piety. Many years later, when visiting the synagogue in RomeAs pope, he will affirm that "the Jews are our elder brothers in the faith".

The conversion of a Hindu mother and her son to Christianity

Jeevan was born in 1998 in India, in the state of Andhra Pradesh. His life has not been easy. The conversion to Christianity from Hinduism in a province where the vast majority of the population is Hindu (over 90.89%) is even dangerous.

A tragedy led to his conversion to Christianity

When he was just 4 years old, tragedy cut short his family's happiness with the death of his father Bhaskar. His mother, Parvathi, and Jeevan, an only child, were left alone. "No one came to our aid." "The only refuge we found was Jesus.".

Parvathi gradually started going to a Protestant church because some distant relatives practiced this religion. A providential meeting with a priest led her and her young son to the Catholic Church, where she found much comfort and help, something that no one else was giving them.

Thus began his journey from Hinduism to Christianity. His caste and Hindu community disapproved of his conversion to Christianity. To this day, Jeevan and his mother are the only Christians in their entire clan and family, which is still Hindu. "But my mother never gave up in the face of hardship and continued with her faith. I learned from her to go to church and then to serve at Mass. We were baptized in 2005 - I was 7 years old - and, at last, we began our journey as children of God and members of the Catholic Church.

"My mother, the person to whom I owe everything."

Their happiness was immense, even though life was still full of difficulties. Parvathi remained the sole breadwinner of the family. In spite of everything, he managed to give his son a good education and pass on his faith to him. "I have learned a lot from his pious practices and moral values."

His mother's love for the Holy Mass awakened in Jeevan the idea of becoming a priest to serve God's people. At the age of 13, he told his mother. "She happily welcomed my wish, but asked me to take some time and reflect because I was too young to make such a big decision. However, that idea remained in my heart as I grew older."

"My mother played a pivotal role in my vocation. I really thank her for her courageous step of offer her only son to the service of the Lord in a really complicated situation for a woman in India, who has already lost her husband and now lives alone without her son near her."

Clash of cultures and traditions

The start at the seminary was not easy either. Jeevan had a lot of difficulty learning and catching up with the subjects. He came from a completely different religion and culture. However, by God's grace he managed to overcome them all. For 3 years he did the discernment course for the priesthood while finishing his secular studies in Eluru. The first years in the seminary were hard as he left home. However, the homesickness passed with time and the desire to become a priest grew stronger and stronger.

During that time, his vocation also underwent a time of trial. His seminary formators asked him to take a break from his studies for the priesthood. Being an only child and his mother a widow, he was advised to return home for a vacation to discern with fortitude his vocation to priestly ministry. This vacation turned into three years of secular studies.. It was an arduous period that served to strengthen his vocation.

Finally, he received a letter inviting him to re-enter the seminary. After two years of licentiate in philosophy in Visakhapatnam, his bishop, Bishop Rayarala Vijay Kumar, offered him to continue his theological studies in Rome.

A Hindu priest in Rome, cradle of Christianity

"It had never crossed my mind that I could get to study in Rome, the eternal city. But God knows best and does everything, so I arrived in Italy in August 2022."

Arriving at the Collegio Ecclesiastico Internazionale Sedes Sapientiae He took a two-month intensive Italian course, which did not free him from having problems with the language. Another difficulty was the food, it is not easy to adapt to such a radical change. After a few months, everything became easier every day.

As for my studies, the first semester has been a great effort for me, because not only do I have to master Italian in my daily life, but also and especially in my theological studies! But this semester is already different and I hope to do my best.

Gerardo FerraraBA in History and Political Science, specializing in the Middle East.
Head of the student body at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome.