That experience was decisive in his life. “In these ecclesial communities, sometimes almost a year can go by without the celebration of Holy Mass,” he explains.

It was precisely this lack that awakened his  vocation . He grew up in a small community known in Haiti as  a chapel , a church dependent on a parish where, in the absence of priests, the faithful keep the faith alive with celebrations of the Word led by lay people.

God called him to help as a priest in his vineyard

“Normally there is a pastoral agent, whom we call the chapel director, in charge of leading celebrations of the Word in the absence of priests.” In the midst of this reality, Father Hugues Paul felt God’s call: “It was in this context that I felt God’s call to lend a hand in his vineyard, to help his people find him and live the faith in a deeper way, with the Eucharist at the center.”

Hugues Paul was ordained  a priest  on  June 26, 2021  , and is now  39 years old . He comes from a large family with  two brothers and five sisters , and is grateful that his parents are still alive.

At home he received a solid Catholic education, although his academic training took place in Christian centers of other denominations: he studied Primary school in a  Protestant school  and Secondary school in a center of the  Episcopal Church of the Anglican Communion .

His adolescence was marked by intense participation in the life of the local Church. “I had a very joyful and active adolescence, participating in groups and in the chapel choir, until I finally entered the seminary.”

That simple community, where faith was sustained with few resources but with great conviction, was the place where his  priestly vocation matured .

Concerned about the island

Today he continues his  priestly formation  in Spain. He arrived on  June 30, 2024,  thanks to the support  of the CARF Foundation and other institutions , and is currently completing a  degree in Biblical Theology , now in its final phase, at the  Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra , in Pamplona.

From afar, he observes the situation in his country with concern.  Haiti is going through a profound crisis marked by violence and insecurity.  “Life has become very difficult, mainly because of the insecurity that affects almost the entire country, especially the capital,” he explains.

However, even in this context,  faith remains a  living force .  “Despite everything, people continue to believe: many take risks to find a place to live their faith and participate in the celebrations.”

The consequences of the great earthquake

The diocese of Jacmel, located in the southeast of the country, is experiencing a relatively more stable situation than other regions, but the consequences of the  great earthquake of 2010  are still visible. ” We are still waiting for the completion of the reconstruction work on the cathedral and many destroyed parishes .”

The lack of sufficient resources and aid has delayed for years these works that are essential for many communities.

Catholics in Haiti make up more than 60% of the population

Catholics  in  Haiti  represent  between 60 and 66% of the population . In the Diocese of Jacmel, there are  approximately 80 priests serving 36 parishes , and throughout the country—including all ten dioceses and religious orders—it is estimated that there are  between 800 and 900 priests . The universal Church has been a fundamental support during these difficult years. “We have received tremendous support from the universal Church, especially through Aid to the Church in Need.”

Spain: the beauty of the churches and their secularization

His experience in Spain has also led him to reflect on the differences between the two ecclesial realities. What has impressed him most is “the beauty of the  churches .” However, he is concerned to see churches with few young people. “It strikes me that the Church seems to be made up mainly of older people, with very  little presence of young people and children at the services.”

In his view, Spanish society is undergoing a profound process of secularization. Even so, he believes there are also opportunities to revitalize the life of the Church. In particular, he thinks Spanish Catholics could draw inspiration from the way the liturgy is celebrated in Haiti. ” Spanish Catholics could learn from Haitian Catholics the enthusiasm for sung celebrations , which help make them more vibrant and participatory.”

Close and consistent with the faith

Looking to the future, Hugues Paul is clear about what kind of priests the Church needs in the 21st century: “to be approachable, empathetic and consistent with their faith; a good communicator, open to dialogue, sensitive to social problems,  with a solid spiritual life  and able to accompany without judging.”

He considers this same attitude essential for reaching out to those who live far from the faith today. “To  evangelize young people  and those who are far from God, I believe it is fundamental to listen to them with respect, to bear witness through one’s own life, to use contemporary language and digital media; to create welcoming spaces and to show that  faith responds to the real questions of today’s world.”

The story of Hugues Paul reminds us of a reality that often goes unnoticed: in many parts of the world Christians go many  months without the Eucharist  and wait for the arrival of a priest to be able to celebrate Holy Mass.

It is precisely from this waiting that new vocations to serve are born. All the members, friends, and benefactors of the CARF Foundation take it upon themselves to pray for them, to promote their good name throughout the world, and to find financial resources so that they can receive comprehensive training in Rome and Pamplona, ​​as is the case with Hugues Paul.