DAYTONA BEACH | One month after earthquakes that rocked Venezuela, parishioners from the Basilica of St. Paul in Daytona Beach and beyond gathered to pray for victims, survivors and the country.

On July 24, 2026, more than 100 people prayed before the Blessed Sacrament, lit candles and participated in the celebration of Mass.

César Altamar helped organize the event. Coming from as far as Kissimmee, Deltona and DeLand, Altamar noted, whether or not you were Venezuelan, “upon seeing the need and suffering of each Venezuelan, it is as if they are part of our family and all of us hurt.”

Altamar and a fellow Venezuelan created a prayer book to give participants “a chance to write petitions, messages for Venezuela, the name of someone deceased, or a prayer to help others – those whose homes were lost and now have nothing.” Afterward, each person lit their candle, approached the altar, and offered a prayer. “It was all very beautiful,” he said.

During Eucharistic Adoration, parochial vicar Father Edgar Serrano shared prayers of consolation and hope. The choir sang mournful songs. “It was very emotional and, at the same time, it was a moment to come approach God and pray with our brothers and sisters. Venezuelans are going through a very difficult moment, especially those in La Guaira, Caracas, and all the area,” added Altamar.

Despite the solemn occasion, he said he felt “great joy to find ourselves united and in solidarity with the tragedy of this earthquake and at the same time, sadness remembering those without a house, a home, loss of so many, especially for those children who are alone,” Altamar said. “There were many mixed emotions.”

The faithful also gave money to assist with medical missions and reconstruction efforts in Venezuela. Lourdes León, CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida said they hope to use the donations to cover the cost of lumber for temporary housing for those in need. Among those are her sister-in-law’s father found 24 hours after the earthquake, buried beneath rubble. The trauma caused a mini-stroke, leaving half his body paralyzed. He too was added to the prayers.

“It is incredible to see how much support we have from many different people from other countries,” León said. “I can tell you that we have done the same, that this is when the community gets together and we are not – at that moment
– from one place. We’re from the place that is suffering.”

The prayers offered by Father Serrano during Adoration bolstered the community and echoed León’s sentiments.

“Do not lose hope. Do not lose hope in reconstruction. Do not lose hope that you will get up again. Do not lose hope thinking everything has changed. Do not lose hope because hope comes from God. This is why we remember those lost with hope,” Father Serrano said. “The Lord weeps with you. He does not look at our pain from a distance. He enters our suffering. He does not give us an explanation. He gives us a promise: ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ Although it may seem the story ends beneath the rubble, it does not. ‘Do not fear because I am with you,’ says the Lord.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, July 30, 2026