Brother Jesus Perez Tortojada shares with us his experience as a formator. “Helping young people take on values and strengthen their willpower.”

I came to Costa Rica for the first time on July 22, 1982. I remember it well because that day marked the beginning of the Comboni presence in this country. We settled in the Sagrada Familia neighbourhood, one of the most deprived in San José, the capital, at the archbishop’s suggestion.

The people welcomed us with open arms, and from the first moment, we were treated like part of their family. Eight years later, I left the country to carry out further missionary work in Guatemala and Spain.

I returned to the neighbourhood where I had my first missionary experience outside Spain, 29 years later. Comparing these two phases, I see a huge decline in the neighbourhood. In the 1980s, the atmosphere was less tense, relationships with people were closer, and the drug trafficking problem we have now didn’t exist.

Although it’s only a 20-minute walk from the centre of San José, Sagrada Familia remains a marginal neighbourhood rarely visited by tourists. The María Aguilar River flows through these parts, a body of water whose banks are home to people from the lowest socioeconomic levels.

Despite everything, in recent years I’ve noticed some improvements, such as the opening of small businesses and shops on the neighbourhood’s main streets, which were previously unheard of due to fears of attacks. Furthermore, Costa Ricans are known for their generosity and affection for missionaries. Despite the harsh social conditions they live in, they keep this spirit alive.

The Central American postulancy of the Comboni Missionaries is located in the neighbourhood, and I was assigned to formation work. When I arrived six years ago, there were eight postulants, but only three completed the cycle and continued. Perseverance is low. In addition to social and family difficulties, a strong attachment to mothers, a common theme in these Central American lands, makes it more difficult for young people to accept the demands of a missionary vocation.

We currently have five candidates, two from Costa Rica and three from Guatemala. Jesús Enrique is a candidate for missionary life and is studying psychology; Byron is in his first year of theology, while Julio, Isaac, and José are studying philosophy. Ecuadorian Father Félix Cabascango and I are the formators.

The four candidates for the priesthood study at the central diocesan seminary, which is located very close to our community, while Jesús Enrique studies remotely at the Catholic University of Costa Rica. In addition to their formation, all the candidates receive regular, personalised support from us.

Father Félix is in charge of catechesis, while I am responsible for the human and psychological formation of the boys. The goal is to help them develop values and strengthen their willpower. These young people tend to be carried away by the emotions of the moment, so it’s necessary to provide them with the tools to resist and not collapse when difficulties arise. I’m happy because they are progressing, each at their own pace, and embracing what we propose to them without being forced.

Manual work, sports, community outings, internal services, and the liturgical moments we experience together are an essential part of their formation, as is the weekend apostolate, which allows them to come into direct contact with the realities experienced by the people. Three of them attend the Parish of the Miraculous Medal, run by the Comboni Missionaries in the Cuba neighbourhood of San José. The other two work at one of the centres of the Association Obras del Espíritu Santo, which is run by Costa Rican priest Sergio Valverde.

Looking back, I remember how hard the pandemic was for the postulants and for those of us who accompanied them. Our life is organised externally through classes, apostolate, and other activities, but during that time, we had to stay home and hold classes within the community. However, God never abandoned us. Proof of this is the fact that, without expecting or even thinking about it, a vehicle loaded with vegetables, fruit, and greens began arriving at our small seminary to help us meet our needs.

Since it was abundant, we decided to share the aid with local families, the nursing home, and other institutions and communities. This experience continues thanks to the Club de Leones Association, which brings us expired food from supermarkets.

Initially, we weren’t prepared for this service, and arguments and disputes arose among those who wanted food. However, thanks to the involvement of our volunteers, we organised the distribution to benefit those most in need. This sharing helps us create a different atmosphere in the neighbourhood.