The Catholic Church in Russia obtains its first property in St. Petersburg
The Catholic Church now owns its first property in St. Petersburg thanks to Spanish priest Aleksander Burgosof the diocese of Valladolid.
In 2021 he obtained the Vatican's approval to build the first shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima in Russia and, at the beginning of the year, he managed to close the purchase of the house in which he was renting. In this way, after the communist revolution of the early 20th century, this house became the first property owned by the Catholic Church in Russia.
With more than 15 years of pastoral work in St. Petersburg, Fr. Aleksander Burgos, known in Russian as Otests Aleksanderhas worked tirelessly to carry out these projects and continues to seek resources for the construction of Russia's first shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima.
Trained in Rome to minister to Catholics of the Byzantine rite, Father Aleksander is currently pastor of a Byzantine rite church in St. Petersburg. After registering the parish and presenting the initiative, the Holy See gave the green light for the construction of the shrine.
The Bishop Joseph WerthThe Vatican, apostolic administrator of Novosibirsk and primate of the Russian Byzantine Catholic Church, informed the Vatican about the project, which received its approval in 2021.
The sanctuary will be of Byzantine Catholic rite, but will be open to all Christians, regardless of their rite, and to people of good will interested in participating in Marian pilgrimages.
Construction of a Fatima shrine in Russia
On July 13, 1917 in Fatima, during the third apparition of the Blessed Virgin to the little shepherds, Our Lady told them about Russia. He said that Russia would spread its mistakes all over the world, but that in the end it would become and his Immaculate Heart would triumph.
He added that he would return to ask for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart, which he did a few years later: the June 13, 1929 appeared to Sister Lucia in Tuy, and asked that the Holy Father consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart.
Image of Our Lady of Fatima of St. Petersburg.
As is already known St. John Paul II made this consecration on March 25, 1984 Since then, more than 20,000 churches have been built in Russia, and more than about 70 percent of its inhabitants have been baptized.
Although the consequences of atheistic communism are still enormous and the percentage of practicing believers is small, it can no longer be said that it is an atheistic country, but a religious country that favors the practice of religion. In this sense we can say that Russia has becomealthough not to the fullest extent.
In order for the Russians themselves, especially Catholics, to be able to thank the Immaculate Heart of Mary and to help the triumph of that Heart become complete, there is this project of building a Fatima shrine in St. Petersburg.
The project was authorized, after consultation with the Holy See, by Bishop Joseph Werth, Ordinary for Eastern Rite Catholics throughout Russia.
For more information about the Fatima Shrine in St. Petersburg, you can access the official website here: fatimarus.com
Photograph by Father Aleksander Burgos.
Interview with Mr. Aleksander Burgos
Alejandro Burgos-Velasco was born in Valladolid, Spain, but is now better known as Otests AleksanderAlexander in Russian, because he has been living in St. Petersburg for the past twenty-two years.
It is a transfer that he himself requested, when he was told that priests were needed to go to Kazakhstan: "I offered to go to Kazakhstan. But that didn't work out. As I had discussed it at length with my bishop, don José [Delicado Baeza], from Valladolid, I told him: "This didn't come out, so what do I do now?". Then we agreed to go to Russia.
In this simple, but at the same time impressive way, this priest exchanged the sun of Spain for the snow of Russia. Before landing in St. Petersburg, Alexander made a short stop in Rome to receive a blessing from John Paul IIfor this adventure.
"Being Catholic in Tanzania is a source of pride."
Vedastus was a seminarian at the Bidasoa international seminar (Pamplona) and was ordained a priest in August 2024 in his country. He tells us that young people in Tanzania are proud to be Catholic. "When one enters Sunday Mass in Tanzania, more than 60 % are young people.".
Catholic formation received at home, a key to his priestly vocation
Vedastus was born in 1994 into a large family. He is the son of a Catholic mother and a non-Christian father, his vocation arose as a result of a question to his mother. Her efforts to pass on her faith to him and his siblings have been rewarded.
A defining moment in the life of this young priest was when he discovered the real importance of the priests. Their village was seven kilometers from the nearest church and, every Sunday, they traveled that distance to attend the celebration of the Word by the catechists. There was only Mass once a year because of the lack of priests.
Vedastus Martine gives communion to her mother during her first Mass in Tanzania.
The day a priest arrived in his village
The lack of priests in Tanzania thirty years ago was much more urgent than today: there were only two to serve more than thirty parishes. Today, their diocese has 155 religious and diocesan priests serving 56 parishes.
The day a priest came to his village and celebrated Holy Mass, Vedastus was impressed. "I was a very young boy, but I noticed that it was different from what the catechists did. I was very interested. When I got home I asked my mother: Mom, why was today different, who is that man who celebrated?My mother explained to me that the man was a priest and what the difference was between priests and catechists," Vedastus replies.
"When I grow up, I want to be a priest."
His mother also told him about the importance of priests for salvation, for imparting the sacraments, for bringing us the Eucharist and forgiveness of sins, and the importance of bringing Christ to the whole world.
"I asked my mother why we didn't have priests every Sunday and she replied that it was impossible, because at that time the two priests there were attending 33 churches. So I told her: When I grow up I want to be a priest to help the Church in my town, so that they will always have priests to teach them the faith and to celebrate the Sacraments. My mother explained to me that I would have to study hard and be very disciplined. She encouraged me, if that was my path, to talk to my father in case they could pay for my studies."
From that moment on, Vedastus asked God every day, if he wished, to make him a good priest so that he could serve the people.
Seminarians of the Bidasoa International Seminar during a training session.
Entry into the seminary at age 14
Thus, at the age of 14, he decided to enter the minor seminary not without first facing some challenges. His father, although he gave him freedom of worship and adoration, he was not baptized until 2016. Moreover, his progenitor's wish was for his son to study medicine, something that was also in Vedastus' plans.
"I thought that, if my father was not baptized, I could not be a priest. However, my father told me: I will pay whatever you need to make your dreams come true. Although I am not rich, I know how important it is to study. We may lack even what we need to live, but you will not lack what you need for your studies. This determination on the part of my father provoked in me an immense gratitude. who has guided me to always strive in my studies, because I know the sacrifice it has meant for my family," she explains.
At the service of his diocese
However, he has not abandoned the career of medicine from his thoughts. He says that while he was in Fatima in 2023, carrying out pastoral tasks while residing in Bidasoa as a seminarian, he received a letter from his archbishop informing him that, after finishing his bachelor's degree in theology, he would be able to study medicine, could start a medical career in his diocese.
"It made me think eight years ago when I told my father, after finishing my high school studies, that I wanted to enter the major seminary to train as a priest. That was when my father told me that it was his dream for me to study medicine. After a loving dialogue with my father, we came to an agreement that I could enter the seminary. So this message from my bishop was like a reminder of my first stage and my yes to the voice of the Lord".
After meditating on the request of his bishop, he spoke with him and told him that at this time the career of medicine was "a mountain difficult to climb". However, if the needs of his diocese demanded it, he would gladly study it.
Catholics increase in Tanzania
Your training in theology is vital for the formation of your Tanzanian confreres. Despite the shortage of priestly vocations, Catholics are increasing in Tanzania. What is the reason for this explosion of Catholics?
"In my view, the fundamental reason and the basis of everything is that man by nature is religious, he is always related to the divine.. This is a fact that is very strong in Tanzania: we have a lot of respect for the divine. But we must also be grateful for the work of the missionaries who evangelized us, especially the White Fathers. They left an indelible mark, not only on the Catholics, but on the entire population," Vedastus says.
The Church, always at the forefront
This evangelization of the first missionaries has contributed to strengthen the reputation of the Catholic Church in Africa, not only for its spiritual and salvific function, but also for its numerous social works: hospitals, schools, charities, etc.
"Many people come to God through charitable and social services, because the Catholic Church is the one that always comes to the forefront. But also, thanks to the work done by bishops, priests, religious, catechists and all the pastoral agents, more and more people know the Gospel," says Vedastus.
Vedastus, during his stay at the Bidasoa International Seminar, at a soccer match.
Young people, proud to be Catholic
The number of young people practicing the Catholic faith is impressive.. This young priest admires himself: "The youth is the hope of the Church in Tanzania. Young people are proud to be Catholic and thus attract many friends.. In addition to the fact that the Church is seen as the primary place for encountering God, young people also come to parishes to find a husband or wife, to grow in virtue and to live the truth.
Thanks to benefactors
To conclude, Vedastus happily exclaims his stay in our country: "It has been wonderful. I am leaving Pamplona a different person than when I arrived.. I have been impressed by both the human and academic formation. It has been a gift to taste the Catholicity of the Church".
For this reason, he would like to thank all the benefactors of the CARF Foundation who have made his studies possible in Pamplona, living in Bidasoa and studying in the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra.
Be assured of my daily prayers. Together we are part of God's plan for all men to receive the good news".
Marta Santínjournalist specializing in religion.
Friday of Sorrows: a journey of faith during Holy Week
In the portico at the entrance to the Easterthe Friday of Sorrows marks a profoundly spiritual anteroom that invites us to contemplate the silent and loving suffering of our mother, our mother, the Virgin Mary. This day, celebrated on the Friday before Palm Sunday, becomes an opportunity to approach the heart of a mother who accompanies the way of the cross of her Son. In many parishes the Way of the Cross is replaced by the Via Matrix that contemplates the sufferings of Mary.
The so-called Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary are a centuries-old devotion that invites to meditate on the most painful moments that Mary lived with Jesus. Through this meditation, the faithful find a bridge to connect their own suffering with Christian hope.
The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary
1) The prophecy of Simeon
When Mary presents Jesus in the temple, Simeon announces to her that a "sword will pierce his soul". This first sorrow opens Mary's heart to an uncertain future, full of trials where everything in her is Faith and Hope in her Son as she did in her first great yes in the Incarnation.
Teacher of charity. Remember that scene of the presentation of Jesus in the temple. The old man Simeon "assured Mary, his Mother: "Behold, this child is destined for the ruin and resurrection of many in Israel and to be the target of contradiction, which will be for you a sword that will pierce your own soul, so that the thoughts hidden in the hearts of many will be revealed". Mary's immense charity for humanity makes Christ's affirmation true also in her: "Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends".
In the midst of Holy Week, this passage reminds us that faith does not always mean certainty, but trust in the midst of darkness.
2) The flight to Egypt
Mary and Joseph must flee to Egypt to protect the child Jesus from the threat of Herod. This scene speaks to us of the pain of instability, of abandoning one's own land and of fear for the life of a child. The Virgin Mary becomes the image of all mothers who must leave everything for love.
After he had departed, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Arise, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt; stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to seek the child to destroy him." He arose, took the child and his mother by night and went to Egypt. There he stayed until the death of Herod, so that what the Lord announced by the prophet would be fulfilled when he said, "Out of Egypt I called my son" (Mt 2:13-15).
Mary cooperated with her charity so that the faithful could be born in the Church, members of that Head of which she is effectively mother according to the body. As Mother, she teaches; and, also as Mother, her lessons are not noisy. It is necessary to have in the soul a base of refinement, a touch of delicacy, in order to understand what she manifests to us, more than with promises, with works.
3) The Baby Jesus lost in the temple
For three days, Mary and Joseph search for Jesus, who had remained in the temple. The anguish of loss and helplessness in the face of what is not understood are human emotions that we have all experienced. The Virgin Mary takes them on with faith and humility.
The Gospel of the Holy Mass reminded us of that moving scene of Jesus, who remains in Jerusalem teaching in the temple. Mary and Joseph went the whole journey, asking relatives and acquaintances. But when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem in search of him. "The Mother of God, who eagerly sought her son, lost through no fault of hers, who experienced the greatest joy in finding him, will help us to retrace our steps, to rectify what is necessary when, because of our lightness or sins, we fail to distinguish Christ. We will thus attain the joy of embracing Him again, to tell Him that we will not lose Him any more (Friends of God, 278).
4) Mary meets Jesus on the road to Calvary.
On the Via Dolorosa, Mary meets her Son carrying the cross. She cannot stop the suffering, but she is there. This scene, so representative in Holy Week processions, speaks to us of the value of presence, of being with the suffering even if we cannot change their destiny.
Hardly has Jesus risen from his first fall, when he meets his Blessed Mother, beside the road through which he is passing.
With immense love Mary looks at Jesus, and Jesus looks at his Mother; their eyes meet, and each heart pours into the other its own sorrow. Mary's soul is flooded with bitterness, in the bitterness of Jesus Christ.
O you who pass by on the way, look and see if there is any sorrow comparable to my sorrow (Lam I, 12).
But no one notices, no one notices; only Jesus.
Simeon's prophecy has been fulfilled: a sword will pierce your soul (Lk II, 35).
In the dark solitude of the Passion, Our Lady offers her Son a balm of tenderness, of union, of fidelity; a yes to the divine will.
Hand in hand with Mary, you and I also want to console Jesus, accepting always and in everything the Will of his Father, of our Father.
Only in this way will we taste the sweetness of the Cross of Christ, and embrace it with the strength of love, carrying it in triumph along all the roads of the earth. Station IV Way of the Cross.
5) Jesus' crucifixion and death
Mary's heart breaks as she watches her Son die on the cross. This pain sums up the greatest sacrifice, that of love that holds nothing back. The Virgin Mary remains standing, firm in faith. On Friday of Sorrows, this image takes on a special force, reminding us that Christian hope is born on the cross.
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son. Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her to himself. After this, when Jesus knew that all things were accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, he said, "I thirst." And there was there a vessel full of vinegar; and tying a sponge soaked in the vinegar to a branch of hyssop, they put it to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the vinegar, he said, "All is finished." And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost (Jn 19:25-30).
In the scandal of the Sacrifice of the Cross, Holy Mary was present, listening with sadness to Those who passed by blasphemed, shaking their heads and crying out, "You who tear down the temple of God and in three days rebuild it, save yourself; if you are the Son of God, come down from the Cross. Our Lady listened to the words of her Son, joining in his pain: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? What could she do? Fuse herself with the redeeming love of her Son, offer to the Father the immense pain - like a sharp sword - that pierced his pure Heart.
6) Jesus is taken down from the cross and handed over to his mother.
Mary receives in her arms the dead body of Jesus. It is a moment of silence, of deep mourning. She embraces him with the same love with which she received him at birth. In this gesture is all the tenderness of a mother who continues to love even in death.
Now, as we stand before that moment of Calvary, when Jesus has already died and the glory of his triumph has not yet been manifested, it is a good opportunity to examine our desires for Christian life, for holiness; to react with an act of faith to our weaknesses, and trusting in the power of God, to resolve to put love into the things of our day. The experience of sin should lead us to sorrow, to a more mature and deeper decision to be faithful, to truly identify ourselves with Christ, to persevere, whatever the cost, in that priestly mission that he has entrusted to all his disciples without exception, which urges us to be salt and light of the world. (Christ Is Passing By, 96). Christ is passing by, 96
7) They bury the body of Jesus
Finally, Mary accompanies her Son to the tomb. The stone closes, and everything seems to be over. But hope beats in Mary's heart. She knows that God keeps his promises, even though now all is silence and darkness.
After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate for permission to remove the Body of Jesus. Pilate granted it. So he went and removed the body of Jesus. Nicodemus also came, the one who had gone to him before by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and bound it with linen cloths and spices, as the Jews were accustomed to bury. And there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. Since it was the preparation of the Jews, and because of the proximity of the tomb, they laid Jesus there (Jn 19:38-42).
Let us now ask the Lord, to end this time of conversation with Him, to grant us to repeat with St. Paul that "we triumph by virtue of him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor virtues, nor things present, nor things to come, nor power, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will ever be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord".
The Virgin Mary as a companion in sorrow
To meditate on the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary is not to remain in suffering, but to discover a way to live it with meaning. Mary is not a distant figure, but a mother who knows us and who has experienced human pain. During Holy Week, her pierced heart becomes a refuge for those who are going through trials.
The Friday of Sorrows is a special occasion for pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows or simply to make a prayer from the depths of the heart. The sword that pierces Mary's heart can become a light for our own wounds.
Holy Week: time to open the heart
To live Holy Week is to enter into the mystery of God's love. And Mary, with her wounded but faith-filled heart, is the best guide. Her discreet and courageous presence in each step of Christ's passion reminds us that pain is not the end, but the beginning of a transformation.
This Friday of Sorrows, let us place our hearts close to Mary's heart. Let us listen to her silence, learn from her strength, and let her faith inspire us to live this Holy Week with a new spirit.
And Palm Sunday arrives
Palm Sunday is like the portico that precedes and disposes the Paschal Triduum: "this threshold of Holy Week, so close to the moment when the Redemption of all humanity was consummated on Calvary, seems to me a particularly appropriate time for you and me to consider by what ways Jesus our Lord has saved us; to contemplate his love - truly ineffable - for poor creatures, formed from the clay of the earth". (St. Josemaría, Friends of God, n. 110.)
Under the name of Notions of Medicine for Priests the course is organized, for the fifth consecutive year, under the guidance of the chaplain of the University of Navarra ClinicVicente Aparicio, and with the sponsorship of the CARF Foundation.
Approximately fifty priests participated in this activity, which took place on January 11 and February 8, 2025.
In an interview with the digital platform OmnesCUN chaplain, Vicente Aparicio, explained the objective of this conference: "it is not about priests acting as doctors, but to help us act as what we are, but with a little more training on complicated issues that we often face.
AI image of a priest in a doctor's gown.
He also pointed out that, in general, patients and their families deeply value the presence of priests in such difficult moments close to death. Visits and spiritual accompaniment are perceived as a fundamental support, since they provide comfort and strength to both the patient and their loved ones.
This accompaniment not only provides a space for prayer and reflection, but also generates an atmosphere of peace and hope in the midst of distress. The priests' words of encouragement and blessing are seen as an emotional and spiritual refuge, creating a connection that transcends the physical and helps patients and their families to face the disease with greater serenity.
Session 1: Medicine for Priests, Health and Family
This session addressed solutions to family problems. Dr. Francisco Leal Quiñones, specialist in Anesthesiology, Resuscitation and Pain Unit, emphasized the importance of leading an orderly and familiar lifestyle, with spaces for conversation, games, shared trips and contact with nature.
This kind of life, he noted, promotes the development of children, improves communication and understanding between parents and children, and contributes to the well-being of all.. There is also scientific and empirical evidence to support these benefits.
Dr. Montse Erostarbe also spoke, offering proposals to ensure that family life follows the most appropriate guidelines during childhood and adolescence, thus ensuring an integral development for children.
Second day: care for the chronically ill and degenerative diseases
During this day, guidelines were offered for the care of patients with chronic and long-term diseases.
Dr. Borja Monteroa specialist in Family and Community Medicine, provided guidelines on the spiritual care and accompaniment of these patients.
Dr. Maria Die Trilla specialist in clinical psychology, shared strategies to support both the patients and their families.
Beatriz LuquiThe social worker explained the assistance available to cover the needs of these patients, detailing who offers it, the requirements for accessing it and other key aspects.
The relationship between medicine and pastoral work has deep roots in the history of the Church. St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, had a great love for the sick and a deep admiration for health professionals.
In his teaching, he emphasized the importance of a job well done and service to others, fundamental values in both medical practice and priestly work. In addition, he promoted the creation of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Navarra in 1954, with the aim of training doctors with "great scientific category and high professional level".
Through initiatives such as the course Notions of Medicine for PriestsThe connection between medical training and pastoral work is strengthened, allowing priests to provide a more complete and empathetic accompaniment to the sick and their families.
In the interview granted to Omnes, Vicente Aparicio stressed the importance of this training for priests: "who are not only there to impart the sacraments, but also to accompany, listen and console. Many times we find ourselves in complex medical situations and having basic notions allows us to be a more effective support for the sick and their families".
Marta Santín, journalist specializing in religion.
5 steps to include the CARF Foundation in your solidarity will
A joint and several will is a type of legal document in which a natural person or legal entity assigns part or all of their inheritance to an institution of the Church, a charitable cause, non-profit organization (such as the CARF Foundation), NGO or social aid institution.
Its objective is to contribute to an altruistic cause after his or her death. This type of solidarity will allows the testator to leave a legacy with social impact, ensuring that his or her assets are used to support initiatives that reflect his or her values and religious or ethical commitments.
Include the CARF Foundation in your will. is a special way to support the formation of diocesan priests and seminarians around the world, ensuring that they can continue their preparation to take the Gospel to all corners of the earth, helping to maintain the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra, as well as the seminaries and colleges where the seminarians and priests who benefit from your generosity reside. If you are considering this possibility, here we explain how to do it in five simple steps.
1) Reflect and inform yourself about institutions that make your solidarity will responsibly rendered.
Taking time to decide what to do with the goods accumulated throughout life is an act of responsibility and generosity.
Sharing this reflection with family members or people you trust will help you make the best decision. At the CARF Foundation we can advise you so that your will faithfully reflects your wishes and contributes to the universal mission of the Church.
Remember that a joint and several will does not affect the rights of your legitimate heirs, but allows a portion of your estate to go to a cause you believe in.
2) Go to the notary: what information should I bring with me to make my joint and several will?
The notary will make sure that your will be drawn up in accordance with the law and accurately reflect your wishes. To make the whole process simple, it is convenient to carry:
Identity document (DNI, NIE or valid passport).
List of assets you wish to include in your will.
Clear decision on the beneficiaries, indicating the part of your estate that you want to leave to the CARF Foundation.
Correct data of the CARF Foundation to avoid administrative errors. The identifying data necessary to include the CARF Foundation in the will or solidarity bequest are: CENTRO ACADÉMICO ROMANO FUNDACIÓN. CIF: G-79059218. Calle Conde de Peñalver, 45. Mezzanine, Office 1. 28006 Madrid.
Specific instructions, if you want your bequest to have a specific use within the foundation's mission.
If you decide to include the CARF Foundation, the notary will ensure that everything is properly formalized and that your generosity translates into a real and sustained impact over the course of the year. time.
3) Keep a copy: how can I make sure that my will is accessible when needed?
Once the joint and several will has been signed, it is important that you keep a copy in a safe place and that you reports to someoneof confidence about its existence and location.
You can also choose to digitalize the document, always remembering that the legally valid document will be the original signed before a notary.
4) Tell the CARF Foundation: why is it important to inform us?
Involve CARF Foundation of your decision allows we can guarantee the fulfillment of your will in the future. In addition, we can advise you on the best way to channel your charitable legacy and maximize its impact.
This communication helps us to better plan the use of resources, ensuring that your bequest or solidarity will is used effectively for the formation of diocesan priests and seminarians around the world.
5) Share your decision: who should know and why?
Telling your decision to someone you trust is key so that, when the time comes, it can be executed without difficulties. This makes it easier for your will to be carried out according to your wishes and for your generosity to translate into real opportunities for those who need it most. Talking to an executor or your family about your decision avoids confusion and helps ensure that your will is respected.
Thanks to your solidarity will, your commitment to the formation of seminarists y diocesan priests will live on, and your generosity will become a permanent legacy that will transcend time.
If you need more information or advice, we are at your disposal.
"I felt God like a flame burning in my heart."
Jonathas Camargo (1998) felt God's call during the Covid-19 pandemic, although this was not always the case. One of the things that held him back from taking that step was his fear of opening himself to a true encounter with the Lord. Jonathas is now in Pamplona training to become a priest. He comes from the diocese of Leopoldina, Brazil.
Introduction to faith and its 'fear' of God
Jonathas arrived in Pamplona in 2023, where he is studying Theology at the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra. From a very young age, he participated in catechesis in his home parish.
God has always been present in Jonathas' family. Since he was a child, his mother took him and his three sisters to the parish to participate in the catechesis of formation. But in his adolescence, a time of rebellion and crisis, he drifted away from the faith, because all he did was attend Mass just for the precept. "Not leaving Sunday Mass, even if it is only to fulfill the ecclesiastical norm even if one does not feel like it, confers an infinite value that is always rewarded by God".
To this reluctance was added a temptation: "that always stopped me from committing myself more to God; it was my fear of opening myself to a true encounter with the Lord," he confesses.
However, the sacrament of Confirmation was vital to become more committed to the Church. Receiving this sacrament is a Grace from God, a sacrament that, as its name indicates, helps a Christian to commit himself to be a witness of Jesus Christ: the baptized person is strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit, becomes more deeply rooted in the divine filiation and is more intimately united with the Church.
Coronation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a mission that brought him closer to God
With this determination, Jonathas began to participate in other celebrations of his parish, such as the coronations to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
"In addition, my commitment to the service of the Church was greater when I helped form and coordinate a youth group, also in my parish. This mission brought me very close to God", he says.
This young Brazilian seminarian recalls that being close to young people means above all listening to them in order to accompany them on their journey of faith and true love for the Lord.
Thus, her union with God grew, fruit of her will, of the good people around her, such as the parish priest, and of her own freedom.
God's call to his vocation
Jonathas recounts the moment he felt in his heart a striking presence with the Lord: "In 2016, at the age of eighteen, I was invited to be an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and with this service to the Lord I felt in my heart the duty to live my faith in a more responsible way.".
Later, with the arrival of the pandemic, came the turning point for Jonathas: "I was studying for a degree in another city when the pandemic started and with it, all the restrictions imposed on us.
So, I returned to my hometown and dedicated myself to helping my parish priest in everything necessary so that the faithful could follow the celebrations through the Internet. Witnessing all the difficulties we were facing, and being able to feel the people's desire and expression of faith, I felt God's call like a flame burning in my heart as I participated in a Eucharistic adoration".
After this wonderful experience, in 2021 he began his vocational discernment process, and in 2022 he entered the preparatory seminary of his diocese. In July 2023, his bishop sent him to study at the University of Navarra, Spain., as it relates the website of your dioceseHe landed in Bidasoa accompanied by the rector of the seminary of Our Lady of Apparition of Leopoldina, Father Alessandro Alves Tavares.
Jonathas Camargo in Bidasoa.
Your training in Spain
His experience in the Bidasoa international seminar is discovering to him the great beauty of the universal Church: "My stay in Bidasoa has been of great benefit to my vocation. Here I have been able to grow even more in my prayer life and also in my academic life. Sharing life with priests and seminarians from the farthest corners of the world teaches me that the Church is universal and that the Lord can reach all hearts, and for that he wants us to be prepared to evangelize all nations.".
When he finishes his theology studies at the University of Navarra, he will return to his diocese where he will be ordained a priest. Jonathas is aware that all cities and countries have their peculiarities and difficulties in evangelization, but without prayer little can be achieved.
We must continue to pray for vocations
"I believe that, in my diocese, as well as in the whole Church, we must continue to pray that many holy vocations may arise for the Lord's harvest," says Jonathas.
A thought very much in line with the initiative proposed by the Church for March 19, the Day of the Seminary. The first thing the Church asks is to pray for vocations. Then, as far as possible, to help financially to support vocations.
He leaves his future in God's hands, but asks him to continue with this desire to serve the Church wherever necessary and "to take the truth of the Gospel to all corners, and never forget to be faithful to what the Lord asks of us through our bishop".
