An Experience of a Lifetime:
20-year-old, Luis Garcia, begins his discernment
of a vocation to the priesthood after attending POP’s
2009 Mission to Guatemala
(Note: The
following testimonial is from Luis Garcia, who attended the POP
Mission to Guatemala for the first time last summer and had a
life-changing experience. After being filled with the Holy
Spirit and taking steps to listen and hear God’s voice over the
past year, he is currently considering a vocation to the
priesthood. Here
are Luis’ words of hope and inspiration as he starts out on his
journey.)
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“Do not conform yourselves to this age, but transformed by the
renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of
God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
By Luis Garcia, POP parishioner, July 2010
A more renewed Luis had come back to Houston in July 2009 after
the mission trip to Guatemala, and my parents began to notice
it.
One thing I was not
ready for was to be thrown back into this noisy society where I
found it difficult to experience God and feel His presence. I
desired and prayed to God that He would use me as an instrument
of peace, and use me now while I was filled with the Spirit.
I went back to work and school, and found it extremely difficult
to feel His presence. I was also very insecure about who I was
and my place on this earth.
I prayed to God to send me a sign. Soon after, I attended a
retreat recommended by my best friend, Andrew that introduced me
to Pope John Paul II’s, “Theology of the Body”. I saw it as an
opportunity to experience God again. At that retreat, I not only
felt God’s presence in the Eucharist, but my prayers were
answered.
Many described how God
works in mysterious ways and that He listens to us, but this
moment felt to me like He was trying to tell me something.
After the retreat, I took my grandparents to Mass and I learned
one very important thing:
We
are created out of love,
to love, and be loved by the King.
I still remember this every time I see a troubled teen in the
street or when I feel insecure.
While in Guatemala, missionaries asked me if I was thinking of
becoming a priest. I told them I was not sure; I was
experiencing Jesus Christ for the first time. Since then, I
began discerning whether I wanted to be a priest myself. I
recall one of the kids in Guatemala who wanted to be a priest
and saw a great need for them.
I knew that I wanted to
serve God, but I had no idea it would led me to where I am at
now—considering a vocation to the priesthood.
I would have never guessed that I would ever be pondering this
decision, let alone discerning my vocation. When I mentioned
this to my best friend, Andrew, he thought I was joking. When I
went to my priest, Fr. Alfonso, he began to aid me in my
journey. I also saw the St. John Vianney play and I was
introduced to a priest that was not intellectually inclined, but
had a deep, amazing, overwhelming love for God.
I learned that nobody is perfect and that God does not call the
prepared, but he prepares the called.
I believe that entering the seminary may give me a deep
affection for the Church and its teachings; a time to discern
the priesthood, and grow in wisdom and faith.
I knew that I wanted to preserve what I did in Guatemala, so I
began taking my little brother to his First Communion classes
and taught fifth grade faith formation. My time with them has
been incredible and I see myself in these kids, rebellious and
with a great need for love.
God only wants our complete happiness and all I have to do is
let Him work inside me. I am not meant to figure anything out,
for He has a plan for each of us, and I have to trust Him.
If entering the seminary
is truly my calling, I would not be doing God a favor. He would
be doing me a favor. Jesus, I trust in you!
“Your heavenly Father knows all that you need. Seek first his kingship over you, his way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6:32-3)