Born December 21, 1936, in the city of Elias Fausto (SP, Brazil). Son of Sergio Abib, of Lebanese Syrian heritage and Josepha Pacheco Abib, of Italian heritage, resident of Sao Paulo, Brazil. At the age of 7, initiated the first grade in the Colegio Padre Moye, in Sao Paulo (SP, Brazil) directed by the Irmas da Providencia de Gap (Sisters of Gap’s Providence).
At the age of 12, started to study in the Liceo Coracao de Jesus in Sao Paulo’s Capital and to work in the offices of graphical arts, binding books. At the age of 13, he was transferred to the Colegio Sao Manoel, of Lavrinhas (SP), with the goal to join the Salesians’ seminary, where later, he departed to Pindamonhagaba (SP), to study High School, in the Instituto de Filosofia do Coracao Eucaristico (Philosophy Institute of the Eucharistic Heart), and after went to study Philosophy, in the Instituto Salesiano de Filosofia e Pedagogia ( Salesians Institute of Philosophy ad Pedagogy), in Lorena (SP).
When finished in this phase, he studied Theology in Sao Paulo in the Insituto Teologico Salesiano Pio XI do Alto da Lapa (Theological Salesian Institute Pius XI) and was ordained priest in 1964. Chose the following slogan: “Feito tudo para todos” (I have become all things to all) (1Cor 9,22). As a new Priest in Sao Paulo, he worked with the youth. Lecturing in the Faculdade de Ciencias e Letras (College of Sciences and Letters) of Lorena (SP), and assisted the youth by doing meetings and retreats.
In 1971, Father Jonas met the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which marked his life and ministry. Dedicated even more to the work with the youth and in 1978 founded the Cancao Nova Community, which has the mission to evangelize through the means of social communication.
In 1980, Cancao Nova Community started to act in the means of communication with the Cancao Nova Radio, today potency that covers all of Brazil and the World through the Internet. From 1989, the Cancao Nova Community started to work with the TV retransmission – TVE from Rio de Janeiro – reaching also today the whole World through the internet.
In the year of 2002, Father Jonas Abib celebrated the 25 years of Cancao Nova Community. An important date to all community.
Also in 2002, Father Jonas met the Pope John Paul II, and to him, this meeting was a confirmation of his mission in Cancao Nova.
In the year of 2004, Father Jonas Abib consecrated the Cancao Nova Television in Potugal in the world’s altar. Along with the television were consecrated all the Cancao Nova System of Communication and also the members and associated to this act.
Also in 2004, Father Jonas, along with the Cancao Nova Community and all it’s associates, opened the Centro de Evangelizacao Dom Joao Hipolito de Moraes (Center of Evangelization Don Joao Hipolito de Moraes), a place for more than 80 thousand people. It was the biggest event of Cancao Nova Community, called “Hosana Brasil”.
In 2005, participated in the funerals of Pope John Paul II, in the Vatican, and followed the process of Benedict XVI’s election commenting live through the Cancao Nova TV.
In 2006, received the award Santa Clara (Saint Clare) from the Conferencia Nacional dos Bispos do Brasil (CNBB, National Conference of the Bishops of Brazil) for the documentary Council Vatican II, produced by Cancao Nova TV.
In 2006, received the award Sao Francisco de Sales (Saint Francis de Sales), from the Editora Cancao Nova (Cancao Nova Publisher), for the sales record of his book “Sim, sim! Nao, nao!” (Yes, yes! No, no!). The work reached 400 thousand of books sold in three years, after its release.
In 2006, welcomed in the Cancao Nova main house, in Cachoeira Paulistas (SP), members and friends of the Fraternidade Catolica Internacional (International Catholic Fraternity), in the 12th Congresso Mundial das Novas Comunidades (World Congress of the New Communities), with the presence of the President of the Pontific Council to Leys, Don Stanislaw Rylko.
In October 17 of 2007, Father Jonas received the title of Monsignor conceided by Pope Benedct XVI as a request from the Bishop of Lorena’s diocese (SP), Don Benedito Beni Santos. The title of “Monsignor” is given by the Pope to Priests that emphasize themselves because of relevant services done for the Church and for God’s people in his dioceses.
Today, Monsignor Jonas Abib is President of the Foundation João Paulo II (John Paul II)