One of greatest times of darkness in the past decade became a moment of unexpected light and growth for one missionary’s bold vision.
The Claretian Biblical Institute of the Americas, known as IBICLA, was founded by Claretian missionary Father Manuel Villalobos, CMF. Following in the footsteps of Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Father Manuel makes the Word of God accessible to everyone: young and old who gather in parish basements and meeting rooms, intent on learning and growing under his guidance.
“What amazes me,” says Father Manuel, “is the people. People who have the vision to read the Bible anew—and who make you think, I had never seen it that way.“
For years he traveled tirelessly between Missouri, Illinois, and California to share Bible classes with Spanish-speaking communities. As devoted as he was, the physical and economic demands of constant travel were mounting. Reaching everyone who needed him felt like an impossible puzzle.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. In those frightening months of 2020, when communities were forced apart, the hunger for God’s Word grew stronger. Father Manuel had to find a new way forward. He turned to Zoom, and what began as a necessity quickly became a revelation:
IBICLA, once limited by geography and logistics, suddenly had no borders at all.
A Ministry Without Walls
Today, IBICLA operates entirely online, offering biblical formation to laypeople, parish leaders, catechists, and priests across Latin America and beyond. What began as an in-person summer diploma program held in partnership with Catholic Theological Union in Chicago has been reimagined as a dynamic, year-round online ministry.
At the heart of IBICLA’s offerings is its Certificate in Sacred Scripture (Diplomado en Sagradas Escrituras), an intensive two-week program held each summer during the last week of July and first week of August. Designed for those who lead biblical animation in their parishes and communities, the certificate carries real academic weight: graduates can transfer 12 credits toward a higher education degree through a formal agreement with Catholic Theological Union.
Throughout the liturgical year, IBICLA also offers a rhythm of free online courses open to anyone, following the Church’s calendar with intention: from Advent to Lent, Pentecost to Christmas.
Last year, Fr. Manuel offered an deep exploration of Claretian spirituality during our founder’s anniversary and it drew over 1500 people live on Zoom. “I didn’t think it would have that much acceptance,” he said. The response moved him deeply—and plans are already underway to offer it again.
A different interpretation of God
Fr Manuel shared that many people live under the weight of harmful interpretations of scripture that keep them suffering, convinced it is their cross to bear. IBICLA’s mission is to offer something different: the Good News as it was meant—liberating, dignifying, and for everyone without exception.
IBICLA doesn’t just count participants, it counts lives changed. With an average of 60 leaders enrolled in each diploma cohort, and free courses drawing hundreds to thousands of participants, Fr. Manuel has built formal agreements with dioceses as far-reaching as Río Sucio, Columbia and Patagonia, Argentina, forming the leaders who shape entire communities.
The network extends through REBICLA (the Claretian Biblical Network of the Americas), which connects schools, groups, and individuals engaged in biblical animation across the continent.
“God keeps moving people in ways you can’t even imagine,” Father Manuel reflects.
The ministry has grown to embrace two international extensions led by women who are themselves graduates of the Certificate in Sacred Scripture.
Mujeres Voces Proféticas (Women’s Prophetic Voices), led by Yolanda Cortez, gathers women from across the Hispanic world in a weekly online space exclusively their own. With special guests and open conversation, it is a place where women from different countries can study scripture freely, share their experiences, and find genuine community without reservation.
Nélida, from Argentina, anchors the IBICLA community each morning with her daily Gospel reflections — a quiet, faithful presence that keeps thousands connected to the Word throughout the week.
Apostles in Social Media
IBICLA’s presence extends well beyond the classroom. Most courses are recorded and published on their YouTube channel, making them a living library of biblical formation available to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Daily Gospel reflections keep the community rooted in scripture throughout the week, shared every morning on Instagram and Facebook.
Saint Anthony Mary Claret traveled on foot and on horseback to bring the Word of God to anyone who would receive it. IBICLA travels by fiber optic cable—and the mission is exactly the same.
If you feel called to go deeper, the Certificate in Sacred Scripture (Diplomado en Sagradas Escrituras) is open for registration at ibicla.org.
Follow IBICLA on their social media
