Living the Scalabrinian Mission in Venezuela

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Province Media

6 hours ago

2 min read

My name is Jonas Fernandez, a Scalabrinian missionary. Looking back, I am deeply grateful for the incredible journey God has shaped through my vocation. My path – stretching from Asia to Venezuela across rich cultures and diverse communities – has continually deepened my understanding of what it truly means to serve.

Formation and Roots in Asia

From 2018 to 2024, I lived and studied in the Philippines, completing my formation at the Loyola School of Theology (LST). Immersed in the Scalabrinian community there, I learned to deeply appreciate cultural diversity and grew more attentive to the unique struggles of migrants and those living far from their homeland.

My journey toward priesthood deepened in Manila with my perpetual profession and diaconate ordination. Soon after, I traveled back to Venezuela for my priestly ordination. Returning to my homeland for this milestone was profoundly moving, allowing me to celebrate surrounded by family, lifelong friends, and the community that nurtured my early vocation.

Serving at St. Antony Parish

Today, I have the joy and responsibility of serving as pastor of St. Antony Parish in Venezuela. Being a young priest and missionary in my own homeland is both a profound blessing and a unique challenge. Every day brings new decisions and encounters with people searching for God, hope, and support. While community needs can sometimes feel overwhelming, these challenges push me to grow in faith, patience, humility, and generosity.

Our parish boasts a rich history built upon the faith and hard work of Italian and Portuguese migrants—a heritage that still shapes our identity today. Every weekend, more than 2,000 parishioners gather for Mass, which we celebrate in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. This vibrant multilingual community stands as a living reminder that the Church is a home where all cultures unite.

Faith in Action

Pastoral ministry here is intense, busy, and deeply joyful. Our daily mission spans everything from celebrating sacraments—baptisms, weddings, confirmations, and confessions—to counseling families and guiding our youth.

Beyond spiritual care, we strive to meet concrete human needs:

Education: Our parish school provides quality education to 753 low-income children.
Social Support: We provide daily meals and practical assistance to 253 people with disabilities.
Crisis Response: Following the recent earthquake in Venezuela, our community mobilized to offer emergency aid and spiritual comfort to affected families, proving that true missionary service means standing shoulder-to-shoulder with those facing sudden hardship.

A Heart Without Borders

For me, being a Scalabrinian missionary means learning daily how to love without borders. The insights and empathy I gained during my years in Asia now allow me to serve in Venezuela with an expanded heart, uniquely tuned to the realities of displacement, uncertainty, and the universal need for radical hospitality.

Inspired by St. John Baptist Scalabrini, I strive to stay close to those who need accompaniment and hope. His words continue to guide my ministry:

"The missionary is a man of charity, an apostle of hope."