After several years of vocational hope, the Venezuela region celebrates a priestly ordination.
This past August 1st, the Sacred Heart of Jesus parish, located in the city of Tinaquillo, Diocese of San Carlos, was the setting where deacon Jesús Eduardo Camacho Ramírez, scj, was ordained to the priesthood through the laying on of hands by Most Rev. Mons. Alexander Vielma.
Under the motto “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit” (Jn 15:16), the celebration gathered religious members and laity from the Dehonian communities, as well as diocesan priests, family, and friends. For the local community, the event held an even more special meaning, as Tinaquillo is the hometown of the new priest.
In an atmosphere of deep reflection and mixed emotions, the ceremony began with the official presentation of the candidate. Fr. Juan Manuel Yépez, superior of the Venezuela region, called Jesús and formally presented him before the bishop and the assembly, bearing witness to his suitability, his formation journey, and God’s call to entrust him with this pastoral ministry.
In his homily, Monsignor Alexander recalled that, due to the recent earthquake, the location of the celebration had to be changed. He noted that the choice could not have been better, as this church is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a devotion that nourishes the spirituality of Dehonian priests. The prelate emphasized that the founder left the Dehonians the greatest of treasures as an inheritance: the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and reminded them that the priesthood is a particular service that requires high demands and constant fidelity to the will of God.
Following the bishop’s words, the moment of greatest spiritual depth took place: the laying on of hands by the prelate and the other concelebrating priests. Tears and the suppressed emotion of those present were immediate. Next, he was vested in priestly vestments by his parents and his regional superior, and was subsequently consecrated with the Holy Chrism.
After all the events experienced over the years in Venezuela and the recent earthquake, this priestly ordination is a true gift from God and an immense joy, both for the Congregation and for the entire Church. In complex times, seeing a young man dedicate his life to the service of others renews hope and fills us with gratitude.
Currently, the region of Venezuela has around 25 religious members who carry out their mission throughout the national territory and in the Cuba mission, which falls under this same region. For his part, Fr. Jesús Camacho, scj, serves as the regional vocation promoter, resides in the community of San Carlos, and collaborates both in the local parish and at the Father Dehon Industrial School.
At the conclusion of the celebration, the newly ordained priest offered words of appreciation to all attendees who have been part of his vocational journey. Additionally, it was announced that his First Mass will be celebrated this Sunday, August 2nd, at the Our Lady of Help Parish in Tinaquillo.
The day concluded in a festive atmosphere, with the community surrounding Fr. Jesús with warm hugs, congratulations, and expressions of affection, entrusting his new ministry to the protection of the Sacred Heart.
