Venezuela in Our Hearts: Community, Faith and Solidarity from Budapest

On July 5, as we commemorated the 215th anniversary of Venezuela’s Declaration of Independence (July 5, 1811), the Venezuelan community in Budapest gathered for an emotional Eucharistic celebration jointly organized by the Spanish-speaking Catholic Mission of Budapest (MCHB) and the Asociación Civil Venezolanos en Hungría (VEHU).

This year, the celebration carried an especially important meaning: we came together to pray for the people and families affected by the two earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026, leaving a profound impact of pain and concern throughout our country.

The Mass, held at the Capuchin Church in Budapest, brought together members of the Venezuelan community, as well as friends and members of the broader Latin American and Spanish-speaking community. It was a space to come together, remember those who are suffering, share our pain and renew our hope.

During the celebration, a replica of the relic of Our Lady of Coromoto, patroness of Venezuela, was present and received the devotion of those attending. The Eucharist was celebrated by Father András Szilli, who invited us to face this difficult moment with hope and highlighted the strength and courage of the Venezuelan people.

The celebration concluded with a musical performance by Ensamble Catatumbo and Coro Los Andes, who performed the emblematic song Venezuela, creating one of the most moving moments of the day.

A collection that becomes humanitarian aid

As part of this day of solidarity, the MCHB organized a collection to directly support emergency relief efforts in Venezuela. Thanks to the generosity of those attending, the following amounts were collected:

• 347,195 HUF

• 52.07 EUR

• 20 USD

The entire collection was handed over to VEHU, with the commitment to direct it to the University Firefighters of Simón Bolívar University in Venezuela, who are supporting search and rescue operations, emergency response and logistical coordination in the field.

This contribution, made possible by the generosity of our community in Budapest, will be used to purchase basic supplies and equipment needed to continue their work in the affected areas.

VEHU would like to express its deepest gratitude to all parishioners, community members and friends who made this demonstration of solidarity possible. We would also like to extend special thanks to Marlene Horváth, whose commitment, sensitivity and dedication were fundamental in making this celebration and this space for prayer and solidarity with Venezuela possible.

We continue to help

The tragedy continues to affect thousands of people, and needs on the ground remain enormous. That is why every contribution matters.

VEHU continues working to channel support to Venezuela, both through our own projects and through humanitarian organizations with which we have established cooperation channels.

Those who wish to contribute can do so through our donation page:

Every contribution represents a helping hand, an act of solidarity and a concrete way of telling those going through difficult times today that they are not alone.

From Budapest, we remain united with Venezuela.With faith, solidarity and hope.