An interview with Jesús Camacho, SCJ, a member of the Region of Venezuela, regarding the fruits and challenges of the Regional Assembly held from January 12 to 15, 2026, at the Sacred Heart of Jesus retreat house in El Jarillo (Miranda State).
Question: Can you tell us about the theme that guided the Assembly this year?
Deacon Jesús Camacho: The theme that accompanied us was “To be born from above” (Jn 3:5). This phrase guided our reflection, inspired by the proposals of CLAR (Latin American Confederation of Religious). The fundamental desire of all the brothers was to renew ourselves; we want to be born of the Spirit to respond with fidelity to what God asks of us today in our world, and especially in our fragmented reality.
Q: What were the main objectives or topics discussed during these days?
J.C.: We focused on three fundamental axes. First, communion, which is the heart of our witness and involves fraternal life, community living, and the sharing of goods. Second, mission, with a special emphasis on vocational and youth ministry, which is where the future of our charism is sown. Finally, we addressed structural challenges, such as the sustainability of our works in Venezuela and the possibility of integrating with other entities of the congregation to strengthen the mission. All of this was strongly motivated by the recent canonical visit of the Superior General, Fr. Carlos Luis Suarez, and the valuable orientations found in his final letter.
Q: What challenges of Venezuela’s current reality were discussed in relation to the congregation’s mission?
J.C.: During the sessions, we used the “Conversation in the Spirit” method. We see the accompaniment of the people in our country as an absolute priority. In Venezuela’s current social juncture, marked by uncertainty and tension, we feel called and challenged to be agents of reconciliation and peace. The great challenge is how to be meaningfully present among the people, serving as a sign of the tenderness of the Heart of Jesus.
Q: What conclusions or priorities did you reach as a Region for this new period?
J.C.: We feel very moved by the challenges that the Superior General, Fr. Carlos Luis Suárez, proposed to us during his recent visit to the region in December. A clear priority is to see how, through our social and parochial works, we can provide integral responses (both spiritual and material) to the needs of the current Venezuelan context. Likewise, another important conclusion is the commitment to maintain and attend with dedication to the new mission in Cuba, assuming it as a vital part of our regional reality.
Q: How would you describe the atmosphere of fraternity and prayer experienced among the brothers?
J.C.: It was, above all, an atmosphere of closeness, dialogue, and a very family-like feel. The brothers had the possibility to express themselves with absolute freedom. If I had to define these days with a few words, they would be: serenity, trust, and spontaneity. The fraternal climate was, without a doubt, the main characteristic of the Assembly.
Q: Finally, could you share a brief personal phrase that summarizes the spirit of this meeting for you?
J.C.: For me, the key to this entire meeting was listening. I am left with that openness of heart that I perceived in all the brothers with whom we shared and discerned during these days. Only when we truly listen can we walk together.
