I’m from Colombia. I was born in a small town called Monteria but my family moved to Medellin, the second biggest city in Colombia. In Medellin I discovered my vocation to the priesthood. The most important was when I was in a community of laity that helps homeless people. I became a youth leader for the community and would help young people have an experience with God through prayer and helping the needy. Over time, I got to spend time with people who had vocations to the priesthood, and those occasions helped me see my vocation more clearly. I could see that God was calling me to imitate him as a good shepherd.
I was doing vocational experiences in diocesan seminaries. I realized that being a priest for a Particular Church (Diocese) was a special call that I felt in my heart. The diocesan priest is very close to the faithful and is the living image of the good shepherd. I made the decision to enter the seminary called: “Los Siervos del Espíritu Santo” (The Servants of the Holy Spirit). They are diocesan priests with a specific charism. They specialize in conducting spiritual retreats for the faithful and reviving spirituality in parish communities.
When I was in my last year of the seminary in Colombia, Father Sergio Serrano, a Dominican priest who works in New Orleans, arrived and asked the rector if he had vocations available to go to the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Fr. Sergio was looking for vocations to support the Hispanic communities that are growing in this Church. The Rector of my seminary called me and made me the proposal to come to New Orleans. Although I love Colombia a great deal, I decided to come here, where I knew God was asking me to serve and train as a priest of this beautiful Archdiocese. I was praying and consulting with my spiritual director and I could hear in the voice of my rector the call of God to come to New Orleans and respond to God by serving him among the neediest.
I came to New Orleans almost four years ago and my challenge has been to learn English as a second language. These four years at the Notre Dame Seminary, I have received valuable training that has helped me integrate and feel part of the archdiocesan family of New Orleans. I am ready to serve in this beautiful community, Saint Jerome Church. But as a deacon, I also need a lot of training and help to practice my second language. This year of internship will be one of growth in faith and dedication to God in the community. I will be very willing to learn from everyone from my pastor, the deacons, all the servants and leaders of the church and those who seek God with a sincere heart. With the grace of God and the hand of our mother, the Virgin Mary, I will be able to serve with all my heart and grow in knowledge and grace.
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