Their Journey of Faith Continues

Br. Jhobany Orduz, left, and Br. John Eustice talk to students during the vocations fair at Saint Viator High School.

Br. Juan Carlos Ubaque

This semester the Viatorian Community has three religious brothers pursuing advanced studies with an eye toward ordination. Br. John Eustice, CSV, and Br. Jhobany Orduz, CSV, are in their first year at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, while Br. Juan Carlos Ubaque, CSV, is completing his final year at the seminary in Tunja, Colombia, which is associated with the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá. All three brothers say they slowly came to their decision while working in active ministry with the people they accompanied and with other Viatorians who affirmed them.

“When I joined the community, I was not expecting to be a priest,” says Br. Orduz, who entered the Viatorians in 2014 with his background as a civil engineer and college professor. “The whole environment pushed me to this time and moment,” he adds. “The people from the parish, my friends at the school, and mainly my community made me feel that I had to take the step to continue my formation for the priesthood.” Likewise, Br. Eustice says that becoming a priest was not his goal when he entered the Viatorian Community back in 2005, but little by little, the people he served in ministry became the slow and steady invitation from God. “The growing invitation came through the many people over the last several years who made subtle comments that they could see me as an ordained Viatorian,” Br. Eustice said. “Eventually, I felt like they were being the quiet voice of God and the only way for me to find out if this was truly God’s invitation for me was to check it out.” Br. Ubaque began his discernment to religious life in the diocesan seminary in Tunja, Colombia, but he left after two years knowing that he was drawn to becoming an educator. Fr. Frank Enciso, CSV, invited him to consider joining the Viatorians, and he has never looked back.

He entered the community in 2010 as a pre-novice and professed his first vows in 2013 in Bogotá. “The truth I found in this community is a place where I can respond to God and grow as a person,” Br. Ubaque says. “I consider that all the stages since the day of my entry have helped me to mature, strengthen my qualities, accept with humility my shortcomings, and above all to walk with others like me who wish to respond to Our Lord.” Br. Ubaque began his ministry as a teacher at Colegio San Viator in Bogotá, and in 2016 he was one of three Viatorians to expand the community’s presence in Colombia and open Colegio San Viator in Tunja. He has been a teacher, pastoral coordinator and dean of students.

Becoming ordained, he says, will give him the knowledge and skills to better carry out his ministry with the children and young people he accompanies at the school. Br. Orduz most recently served as director of the newly professed in Colombia, while working at Colegio San Viator in Bogotá. “I feel that everything I have done has called me to move on and be open to a new beginning,” he says, “and here I am.” Br. Eustice was drawn to the Viatorians through their work with young people and he continues to stay active in that ministry, while also serving as Director of Vocation Ministry. “I feel like this process is where I need to be at this moment in my life,” he says. “I thank God for the opportunity the Viatorians have given to me to be able to dive in and learn more about theology and the work of the Church, and I trust that God will invite me where I’m needed to be.”