What do you do when, after a long track record of success, you begin to struggle? Fr. Jhobany Orduz, CSV had earned elite marks and graduated at the top of his classes in graduate schools studying engineering and finance. However, when he moved to the United States for theological studies and priestly formation, he struggled a bit more juggling challenging courses with learning English.
Luckily, a mentor Viatorian offered some great advice at the perfect time: “Not being first in the class was a significant change for me. Fr. Mark Francis told me, ‘Jhobany, you don’t need to be perfect. You need to be good. Don’t let your perfectionism stop you from doing something good,’” Fr. Jhobany said. “It helped me understand I am not called to do a perfect ministry as a priest. We are instruments that God uses for Sacraments.”
A lot has happened since Fr. Jhobany, a Colombia native, initially trained as a civil engineer, served in the military, and worked as an engineering teacher. In Bogotá, Jhobany served people who were HIV-positive, homeless, involved with prostitution, or facing hunger. “Initially, my desire was connected with this desire for service. All the time I was asking, ‘God, what do you want me to do?’ I want to do something that makes a difference, feeling a call to go where God is asking me to go.”
Fr. Jhobany shares how he connected with the Viatorians, the ways that dynamic formation plans helped him grow professionally and spiritually, and what he suggests to young people in their discernment by connecting back to his own: “I was also thinking about getting married and having a family, and – thanks God – I got the opportunity to explore my religious life,” Fr. Jhobany said. “Religious life is a different sense of the love of God. We are called to dedicate our lives not just to one person, but to hearing God’s voice and then being free to go and do whatever God is inviting us to do.”
Hear Fr. Jhobany’s reflections in Episode 87 of Viatorian Voices: Conversations on the Way on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube:
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For further listening:
- Explore God’s Invitations in previous discussions with Associate Karen Cutler (Ep. 78), Fr. John Peeters, CSV (Ep. 59), Fr. Dan Hall, CSV (Ep. 47), Br. Rob Robertson, CSV (Ep. 11), and more!
- Dig into commitment in this roundtable discussion with our vocation ministry team (Ep. 80), comprised of professed men in perpetual vows.
- Hear from another recently professed Viatorian, as Fr. John Eustice, CSV reflected on his theological studies and priestly formation last year (Ep. 68), a few months before his ordination to the priesthood.
For further reading:
- Then-Br. Jhobany Orduz, CSV Reflects on His Experience as Hospital Chaplain (2024)
- Then-Br. Jhobany Orduz, CSV Begins New Ministry as Deacon (2024)
- Viatorians Celebrate Presbyetal Ordination of Fr. Jhobany Orduz, CSV (2025)
- FEATURE – Viatorians Renew Fraternity by Celebrating Our Brother (2025)
For further watching:
- Then-Br. Jhobany Orduz reflects on his Religious Life in 3 Photos: