The Giuseppe of Arimathea Foundation was established to give concrete form to a profound mission: to be inspired by Joseph of Arimathea who, with human charity, took care of the body of Jesus Christ. With a similar spirit of dedication and assistance, the foundation is committed to supporting the formation of individuals who are at the service of the Catholic Church.
The formation of priests ensures qualified guides to assist the faithful, administer the sacraments, and above all, proclaim the Gospel. In this way, the intention is to support the journey of the Church by forming dedicated servants for future generations, whose skills often extend beyond the purely religious sphere, contributing to the common good and promoting human dignity.
Since 1984, the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross has been committed to deepening the intellectual content and anthropological richness of the faith, while also establishing a dialogue with contemporary culture. In particular, it offers an excellent formation open to all and is daily committed to deepening the rich intellectual heritage of the Catholic faith through a constantly updated educational offering faithful to the teachings of the Church, combined with high-level scientific research.
The vocation to the priesthood should never be hindered by financial limitations, and the Giuseppe of Arimathea Foundation makes this ideal of inclusivity possible. This support is not simply financial aid: it is an investment in the formation of men who will be messengers of the Gospel with enthusiasm and wisdom.
It is important to emphasize that our Foundation, in accordance with its statutes and regulations, provides direct support exclusively to priests and does not support companies, associations, or institutions.
Fr. Gio L. Abastillas is a priest from the Archdiocese of Cebu, Philippines, he is currently taking the second year courses for the degree in Theology with specialization in Dogmatic Theology.
He was born on September 17, 1993 and raised in a religious family in Cebu, active in parish activities from a young age.
He entered San Carlos Seminary College in 2010 to study Philosophy and undergo priestly formation. After five years of spiritual, academic, human and pastoral formation, in 2015 he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Theology from the University of Navarra, in Pamplona, Spain.
Joseph Raymund N. Arong is a seminarian of the Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu, in the Philippines, enrolled in the second year of theology.
Born on March 26, 2000 in Dumaguete City, he comes from a very religious family. His parents are Ramonito and Nelga Arong, and he has an older brother, Franchese (also a seminarian), and a younger sister, Krista (who studies medical technology).
Rev. Brother Mark Gova is a priest of the Archdiocese of Blantyre, Malawi.
Born on May 17, 1988, into a Catholic family with six siblings. His parents were fervent Catholics who encouraged prayer and participation in church life. He attended seminary from 2007 to 2015 and was ordained a priest on July 4, 2015. After three years of service in his diocese, his bishop sent him to Rome to continue his studies.
Rev. Father James Iruthayaraj is a priest of the Diocese of Kumbakonam, India. He was born on February 17, 1987, and was ordained on April 4, 2016.
He served as an assistant pastor for three years in various locations, including a missionary year in the Diocese of Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, a year in the Cathedral of his diocese of Kumbakonam, and a year in the Minor Basilica of Poondi.
Father Josin Jose is a priest of the Diocese of Idukki, Kerala, India. He was born in Vathikudy on September 27, 1994
He comes from a family of farmers with two younger brothers who are still students. He completed his formation in the minor seminary from 2009 to 2012, then continued with his philosophical studies until 2015.
Abbé Sorel-Berrier Komguem Meulak is a priest from Cameroon, in the diocese of Bafoussam, where he has served for more than seven years. Born on January 2, 1990, in Bayangam, he is the second of five siblings.
He felt the call to the priesthood in primary school and entered the minor seminary during middle school, where he obtained his diploma in 2007. In the same year, he entered the Paul VI major provincial seminary, where he completed his formation through various stages: a preparatory year in Mbanga, three years of philosophy in Kouékong, a canonical internship year, and four years of theology in Nkongbodol.
Elmon is a seminarian born in November 1994 in South Africa and lives at the Sedes Sapientiae College. He is in his first year of the Baccalaureate in Theology and has decided to express his gratitude to the Foundation that offers him the scholarship, essential for him to study at the Holy Cross and live in Rome. He writes us a few lines:
I am writing to express my deep gratitude for the support you have offered me.
I come from a rural area of South Africa, and pursuing higher education at an esteemed institution like the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross was a dream that once seemed very distant, indeed, beyond reality.
I am Malachy Okafor. A seminarian of the Catholic Diocese of Aquleri, Anambra state in Nigeria. I Came from the city of Anambra. I am the 2nd child and the second Son of My family. I had my primary education at Blessed nursery and Primary School, Abuja.
I nurtured the desire to priesthood from childhood so I started attending religious Societies like the Legion of Mary and Block rosary Societies to help direct my desires to living a better life. I entered the Junior Seminary, All Hallows Seminary in 2011. As God Wished I was chosen to continue in the major seminary where I had my philosophical studies at Pope Johnpaul II Major seminary Okpuno Anambra, Nigeria
Project supporting Father Jose Ignacio Gutierrez Morales, Founder of the Ecclesial Association „ALEGRIA Y ESPERANZA”
Project supporting Priest Pedro Santiz Gomez at „FRATERNIDAD MISIONERA APOSTOLES DE LA PALABRA”
Project supporting enhance the living conditions of students at the Foyer Universitaire de Carouge in Geneva, Switzerland