Maryknoll Lay Missioner, Gaby Hernandez, stands in front of the American, Bolivia, Vatican, and El Salvador flags signifying her connection to MKLM in America, her home nation of El Salvador, the Catholic connection from the Vatican, and her place of mission in Bolivia.

Victor Artaiz

Mission Country: Bolivia

hometown: Wallingford, CT

home parish: Church of the Resurrection, Wallingford, CT

faith community: Franciscan Mission Service, Knights of Columbus

languages: Spanish

travel: over 50 countries on five continents

Victor Artaiz, of Wallingford, Connecticut, brings to Maryknoll Lay Missioners a wealth of global experience and a deeply rooted Franciscan heart. After a long career as a director of international business in the specialty metals industry—work that took him to more than 50 countries across five continents—Victor felt called to a different kind of journey. He spent four years as a Franciscan lay missioner in Bolivia and has served in orphanages in Kenya, encounters that reshaped his understanding of accompaniment, simplicity, and the Gospel’s call to be with those on the margins.

Fluent in Spanish and grounded in a life of prayer, Victor is drawn especially to Maryknoll’s history in global mission and to the Cochabamba community, where relationships with Maryknoll missioners have been pivotal in his own discernment. He sees mission as the daily work of walking beside others with a listening heart—sharing faith, hope, and peace while receiving the wisdom and strength of the communities who welcome him. His ministry with men in prison, marked by humility and trust-building, reflects his belief that true encounter begins with vulnerability and openness.

A man of steady faith and contemplative rhythm, Victor finds nourishment in morning lectio divina, Eucharistic adoration, and time spent reading in nature. Friends describe him as loyal, selfless, and courageous. Though he will miss his son, daughter, and granddaughter—as well as the simple joy of watching sports at Buffalo Wild Wings—he hopes this next chapter of mission will continue teaching him to see Christ in every person and every circumstance.

education:

International Business

work:

Director of international business for specialty metals (traveled to over 50 countries)

volunteer:

Served in orphanages in Kenya, Franciscan lay missioner for four years in Bolivia.

hobbies:

Reading, walking, movies, watching sports.

What motivated you to become a Maryknoll Lay Missioner?

Historical relevance in global mission, Cochabamba community. Personal experience/relationships with the Maryknoll comunity in Cochabamba.

Of MKLM’s 5 Core Values, please choose one and share an example of living it out.

Encountering men in prison with a full heart and open ears to build trust and share the love, hope, and peace of Jesus Christ.

What personal gifts or strengths do you bring to mission?

Catholic faith, accompaniment, vulnerability, mutuality, simplicity, testimony.

How do you define “mission” in your own words?

Accompanying others living on the periphery of society sharing the faith, hope, and peace of Jesus Christ.

What does community mean to you?

Leaning into daily life with a heart to serve others.