School: Notre Dame Seminary
2901 S. Carrollton Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118
Background
I was born in La Grita city, Tachira State, in western Venezuela. My first years of life were in the countryside, where I lived with my mother and brothers, including my twin brother, a priest.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I like social media and journalism (Newspaper, Radio, and TV), I like to sing and play guitar, and I love missionary life.
What is one of your favorite scriptures?
‘’After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” (Luke 5, 4-9)
Who is your favorite saint, and why?
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, I love how her conversion process was, I love her philosophy and self-giving impressed me. She is a Saint of our time.
In a nutshell, what is your vocation story? How did you feel called to the priesthood?
I felt my vocational calling when I was around six years old, while I played with my brother to celebrate the Eucharist. After the death of my father, he began to be an acolyte in my parish and later began to sing at the parish; all this served to reaffirm my vocational process. I studied at the Santo Tomas de Aquino Seminary in Venezuela. After thinking about it and for different reasons stemming from the situation in Venezuela, I decided to retire and start working to help my family. While in Colombia working in a Foundation to evangelize young people, I became acquainted with the Archdiocese of Atlanta and decided to return to the seminary.
What is seminary life like for you?
The life of the seminary for me is excellent. Here we live to learn more about Jesus Christ and his church, at the same time feeling and enjoying God’s love for us. Life in community and prayer every day is something extraordinary for me. The seminary is the cenacle where we learn to configure ourselves to Jesus Christ, High and eternal Priest, Good Shepherd.
What do you look forward to about being a priest?
I hope to reach as many people and tell them about the love of God that they can all know about the Catholic Church. I want to be a priest so that I can bring God’s grace to those who need it. I can be a committed layperson and carry the gospel, but I desire to become a disciple of Christ who radiates the love of God with my life and with the sacraments.
What advice do you have for other guys thinking about the priesthood?
I learned from Pope Saint John Paul II, “Young people do not be afraid.” Young man, if you want to live an Adventure with God, take the risk of giving your Yes to God’s call. Marriage is a gift from God, but if you feel the call of God to be a Priest, make your vocational discernment. God expects great things from you.