A Venezuelan seminarian who survived the powerful earthquakes that struck his country has said the tragedy has strengthened his calling to serve those suffering and reminded him that the Church's mission is to "be present" with people in their darkest moments.
Germán Jiménez, who is preparing for ordination in the Diocese of Petare, was studying at Saint Rita Seminary in Caracas on 24 June when emergency alerts warned of two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2.
Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), he recalled the panic as the seminary shook.
"We lived through the earthquake with great anxiety, nerves and fear," he said. "We ran out of the building, worried about what was happening."
The earthquakes, which have claimed 4,829 lives, left churches, homes and public buildings damaged across Caracas and La Guaira.
Rather than returning to normal life, Jiménez and his fellow seminarians joined relief efforts, helping distribute food, mattresses, clothing and medicines while supporting families searching for missing loved ones.
"I have gone down to La Guaira on three occasions to see reality first hand," he said. "People still hope to find a loved one alive, while others are simply waiting to recover their remains."
Although practical support has been important, Jiménez said the greatest need has been to show people they are not alone.
"Our priority has been for people to feel that the Church is with them," he said. "The mission is not so much about doing, but about being. We are there to listen, give a hug and a smile."
He said many survivors have looked to the seminarians for comfort because they represent Christ's presence.
"For people to embrace us and seek comfort in us is a sign that the Church must be present without publicity or expecting anything in return. It reminds them that there is a God who loves them and cares for them."
Jiménez said he has drawn strength from the Gospel account of Jesus calming the storm, particularly Christ's question to His disciples: "Why are you afraid?"
"He is in the midst of the storm with us," he said.
He also described the way neighbours immediately came together to help one another as "a sign of hope" for Venezuela.
"This tragedy has allowed us to see that we Venezuelans form one single family," he said. "The first to go to people's aid were the neighbours themselves, ordinary people."
On 12 July, Archbishop Raúl Biord of Caracas commissioned seminarians to spend the coming weeks serving communities affected by the disaster.
He said the experience would help prepare them for ministry, adding: "Academic formation is important, but so is direct contact with the suffering and reality of the people."
Aid to the Church in Need has approved an initial emergency aid package worth £86,000 to support the dioceses of La Guaira and Caracas. The funding will help priests and religious sisters care for displaced families, provide humanitarian assistance and offer pastoral support to those affected by the disaster.
