Superior General Kevin Storey, CSB Visits the Basilian Fathers in Riohacha, La Guajira, Colombia

Superior General Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB, accompanied by Fr. Pedro Miguel Mora Medina CSB, and Fr. J. Huber CSB, recently visited the Basilian community in Riohacha, La Guajira, Colombia. Nestled along the Caribbean coast, Riohacha is a vibrant city of 225,000 residents, increasingly recognized as a tourist destination for its coastal charm and cultural richness.

Four Basilians currently serve in Riohacha. Fr. Carlos Arturo Rodríguez Marciales, CSB, is the Rector and teaches Religion to 400 students. Fr. Eduard Alexis Guerrero Carrillo, CSB, serves as the school’s Director, while Fr. José Adán Gómez Villalvazo, CSB, fulfills the role of Chaplain. Meanwhile, Fr. Erick de Jesús Enríquez Gutiérrez, CSB, is completing his Master’s thesis while actively assisting both at the school and in nearby parishes.

Pedro Mora, Kevin Storey, Eduard Guerrero, Carlos Rodríguez, Erick Enríquez

The Basilian-run Institución Educativa Eusebio Septimio Mari, named after a former bishop of the diocese, serves as the main campus in Riohacha. In the morning, it operates as a high school for 680 students in Grades 7 through 11, with classes running from 6 a.m. to noon. In the afternoon, from noon to 6 p.m., the same campus transforms into an elementary school, accommodating 865 younger students. A secondary campus, located about 20 minutes away in a poorer rural area, is named Mother Veronica. This site serves 328 students up to Grade 9 and operates from 6 a.m. until noon.

In the morning, it operates as a high school for 680 students in Grades 7 through 11, with classes running from 6 a.m. to noon. In the afternoon, from noon to 6 p.m., the same campus transforms into an elementary school, accommodating 865 younger students.

This community marks the first intentionally intercultural Basilian house, with two priests from Mexico and two from Colombia. Living together brings both blessings and challenges—from navigating differences in food preferences and prayer styles to coordinating prayer schedules, their presence is already being felt in the school and wider community.

Fr. John Huber, CSB, presents on Catholic education to the dedicated teachers and staff of Eusebio Septimio Mari.

Faculty, staff and students express a deep appreciation for the Basilians, recognizing them as both professionally competent and approachable. The bishop, too, has welcomed their contributions—both in the classroom and through their sacramental ministry across the diocese.