Three men, each with distinct backgrounds and unique journeys, have last month stepped forward into a shared mission as Perth’s newest Catholic priests.
Gionata Pagani, Marco Farraioli, and Jupiter Bin Justin, each deeply influenced by their faith communities and personal experiences share with The Record Editor Jamie O’Brien their stories of faith, challenge, and vocation.
Gionata Pagani: From Italy to the Kimberley and beyond
Born in Piacenza, Italy, 33-year-old Gionata Pagani moved to Australia in 2001 as part of a missionary family sent by Saint Pope John Paul II.
The second of 14 children, Fr Gionata experienced his formative years between Fremantle and Sydney, completing his education at Sydney University with a degree in structural civil engineering.
Yet, amidst his professional life, a deeper call stirred.
“I started to feel the call by attending various pilgrimages,” recalls Fr Gionata, reflecting particularly on a pivotal moment during World Youth Day in Madrid 2011.
At 19, despite sensing a clear calling, he initially resisted, determined to finish university and pursue a career in engineering.
However, the restlessness in his heart persisted.
“I was working as an engineer, I was playing sport, I had a girlfriend at the time, but I felt unsatisfied,” Fr Gionata shared.
“I just wanted a normal life, but there was a restlessness telling me not to be afraid, that Christ would give me what I was looking for.”
Ultimately, Fr Gionata answered the call – putting himself forward during an annual retreat with his Neocatechumenal Community – entering the seminary later that year.
His formation has included significant missionary experiences—two impactful years in Derby, Kimberley, and another profound mission in Papua New Guinea, where he witnessed firsthand works of faith amidst poverty.
Now, as a newly ordained priest, Fr Gionata eagerly anticipates his new pastoral role, eager to bring Christ’s love to wherever he’s sent.
“In the same way that I have found Christ has loved me in the Church, I hope to bring that experience to others,” he shared.
Marco Ferraioli: Navigating Identity and Faith
Marco Ferraioli, arrived in Australia from Rome, Italy, in 2001 at age six, also as a mission family sent by Pope John Paul II.
His childhood went on to span across Melbourne and Brisbane, deeply immersed in the life of the Neocatechumenal Way.
Ferraioli’s path to priesthood crystallised during a pilgrimage in Adelaide in 2014.
At 18, inspired profoundly by a priest’s testimony, he questioned why and how he could respond to the call.
Simultaneously, this period marked intense personal struggles.
Ferraioli grappled with identity, faith, and the anxieties of adult life, exacerbated by challenging discussions with a close friend who abandoned his faith.
However, amidst personal turmoil, Ferraioli found solace in his community.
“I was in a place where people loved me as I am, receiving the message that God loves me just as I am,” he recalls.
His seminary years in Perth from 2015 to 2024, highlighted by a memorable mission in East Timor, reaffirmed his vocation.
Now, having served the past 12 months as a deacon in the parish of Bayswater, Ferraioli is eager to step forward into priestly ministry, prioritising a deeper personal relationship with Christ.
“To deepen my relationship with Christ, to discover His love, and from there to give life to others—this is the heart of my ministry,” he explains.
Jupiter Bin Justin: A Call from Business to Priesthood
For Fr Jupiter Bin Justin, a Malaysian native from Kota Kinabalu, the journey to priesthood was unconventional.
Born into a Catholic family deeply rooted in the Neocatechumenal Way, Fr Jupiter initially resisted his calling, pursuing a career in computer science and launching his own successful business.
Yet, a dramatic turning point in 2015 shifted his life’s trajectory drastically.
“A bunch of thieves robbed my shop and took everything,” Fr Jupiter recounts.
Compounding his losses, a lapse in insurance meant he received no compensation.
Viewing this devastating event as a direct sign from God, Fr Jupiter finally embraced the call he’d long resisted.
Entering the seminary in Perth brought its own set of challenges.
“It was a culture shock. I’d never lived in another country, and the seminary was another shock—language, food, and academic expectations were tough,” Fr Jupiter reflects.
However, overcoming these challenges deepened Fr Jupiter’s faith, transforming him profoundly.
Now part of the Baldivis Parish Mother Teresa Church, Fr Jupiter eagerly anticipates his priestly ministry, driven by a passionate desire to share his personal testimony.
“My mission is to bring Christ to people, to show them Christ is alive, especially in weakness and struggle,” Fr Jupiter concludes.
Shared Mission, Unique Paths
Though diverse in origin and journey, Frs Gionata Pagani, Marco Ferraioli, and Jupiter Bin Justin stand united in their commitment to service and faith.
Each brings a unique narrative of struggle, discernment, and divine encounter, embodying the rich tapestry of the Archdiocese of Perth.
Their ordinations mark not just personal milestones, but symbols of renewal for the local Catholic community, highlighting the enduring strength and diversity of faith in Western Australia.
