MSC Mission in Venezuela

Image
Good Friday Procession in Caracas
The Origins and Scope of the Mission

The Venezuelan MSC mission began in 1967 with the coming of four MSC priests to the city of Maracaibo. 

With the arrival of other MSCs the mission extended to the state of Tachira in the Andes mountain area, then to the diocese of Carora in the centre of the country and finally to Caracas in 1982.

At the present moment we are concentrated in the cities of Maracaibo and Caracas where we have three extensive parishes, an evangelization centre and two formation houses.


What we seek to do...

Image
Fr Tom Jordan MSC anointing a sick parishioner
Broadly, the purpose of the mission is summarized in the charism of the Congregation - to proclaim the love of God symbolized in the heart of Christ.

Convinced that our charism has something special to offer to the Venezuelan people, as Missionaries of the Sacred Heart we endeavour to spread the message of God's love through the many diverse pastoral works we undertake. 

We are involved in parish ministry in poor barrios, in hospital chaplaincy, in care for the poor, sick, destitute and dying, in media ministry and in youth work. Much effort is given to training and supporting the many lay ministers who work alongside us, as well as the Lay MSC who are so closely associated with our spirit and charism.

A more specific intention of our mission here is to help the Congregation take root in Venezuela. Our three young Venezuelan priests, Jose Nogales, Eliel Aruajo and Vicente Buitrago are fruit of that endeavour.


Image
Fr Tom O'Brien MSC feeds native indian children in his barrio
Image
Fr Vinnie Screene MSC and the soup kitchen in his parish



















The Present and the Future

Image
The three Venezuelan MSC priests - L-R Frs Eliel Araujo, Jose Nogales and Vicente Buitrago
Currently, in addition to the 10 Irish MSC ministering in Venezuela, the Region has three Venezuelan MSC priests.  Fr Eliel Araujo is Parish Priest of a mountain-side barrio in Caracas, Fr José Nogales is Assistant Priest in a large parish in Maracaibo, responsible for some 11 chapels, and Fr Vicente Buitrago is the Vocations Director and a member of the Regional Leadership Team.

Vocations promotion and formation are real priorities for the Region as it seeks to secure the future of the mission in the hands of Venezuelan MSC.  Fr Vicente Buitrago has worked hard at developing a good year-long vocations accompaniment programme which culminates in a month's residential postulancy prior to admission into the Pre-Novitiate. 

This last year three candidates began their formation as Pre-Novices under the direction of their formator, Fr Tom O'Brien.   One other student is in third year Pre-Novitiate and one has already begun the study of Theology as he awaits the beginning of the Novitiate in the Dominican Republic in the Autumn of 2009.  Bro Yonys Mendoza MSC is in his third year of theology studies and will be due to take his final vows in the coming year.  We are truly blessed to have these six fine candidates for MSC religious life.

Image
The MSC Students in 2009 with Vocations Director Fr Vicente Buitrago MSC (far right)

Although candidates continue to come forward for the priesthood and religious life, vocation promotion and seminary training is a gradual and slow process and it requires great patience. 

Another challenge is to provide good formation for lay people who will assume more and more responsibility in the Church of the future.  There is a vibrant and growing group of Lay Members of the Chevalier Family in Venezuela, and many other laity who are partners with MSCs in a growing variety of ministry; in parishes, in the media apostolate, in healthcare and education, and in developing the Hospice Movement in Venezuela.  

The Mission begun by the MSC over 40 years ago continues to flourish and find new expression as the Church and Venezuelan society present new needs and challenges in the 21st century.
 


Prayer for the Venezuelan Mission
Image
Children at an orphanage/school established by the MSC for street children

Lord,
Grant that our MSC communities in Venezuela
and the life of each MSC member
may be a witness to your love.

Give us the strength to be messengers of hope
for the people we are called to serve.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen