The story of Mariano, a young man from Angola, is marked by a process of discovery and discernment.
His spiritual life was covered. His parents, from a Christian family, enrolled him in catechesis when he was a child and he also studied in a Catholic school, although at that age he did not show much interest in the things of the Church.
In 2009, he had a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Angola, fortunately, Mariano received his blessing personally.
«I was 8 years old at the time. When I returned home, I told my parents that I would like to be like the Pope, something typical of children, but eventually, that passed».
The key moment that brought him back to church life through service as an acolyte was the preparation for his first communion.
After some time, it was time to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist. The parish priest indicated that only those who belonged to a youth group could receive it, in order to integrate them more into the Church. Mariano did not belong to one.
«I thought about becoming a scout, but the parish priest called me and told me I had to be an acolyte. There everything started all over again: the close contact with priests and bishops awakened something in me that I didn't understand, but that fascinated me. Then I remembered my childhood desire to be like the Pope, although I didn't know that the Pope was also a priest. priest and bishop. As I discovered these things, I felt more strongly that the Lord was calling me».
A few years went by and he noticed that some of the acolytes of the parish, after a period of academic formation and accompaniment by the priests and vocation teams, were going to a place called «Seminary». Mariano did not know what it was, but he began to wonder and to feel that maybe that was the place for him.
When he finished his basic education, he became more involved in the life of the Church. He participated in groups, helped in the sacristy whenever needed and became a formator of other acolytes.
«Gradually I became closer to the parish priest. I often accompanied him to different communities to help with the Masses and with the purchase of materials and vestments for the sacristy. On those occasions he would talk to me and explain what the seminary was and what the priesthood consisted of.».
He began to identify with that vocation. He spent more time and felt better at church helping out than at home or in the neighborhood, where there were hardly any Catholics and time was almost always reduced to soccer or other activities of no great interest.
The turning point came when he realized the shortage of priests. He discovered that there were communities that celebrated mass only once a month, or even every two months, due to the lack of priests. He understood that he had to serving the Church in the priestly ministry to bring Christ to those who also needed that presence.
In his senior year, his pastor spoke to his parents to see if they agreed to his entering the seminary. They were opposed. Without Mariano's knowledge, his father wanted to see if this was really his vocation and suggested that he apply for scholarships to pursue other studies. Mariano turned them down without hesitation, thus confirming his decision to enter the seminary. He spoke with his parish priest, took the admission tests and was accepted.
«I completed three years of high school and then I went on to study philosophy, which I completed in another three years. When I finished, my spiritual director told me: “Now begins the stage of configuration. If you feel that the Lord is calling you, go ahead; if not, it is better to stop and choose another path”. After a time of reflection and prayer, I confirmed that this was what the Lord was asking of me and I began my studies in theology».
During his first year of Theology, in the second semester and in the middle of the exams, his pastor - who had just returned from Rome after studying Social Communication at the University of Rome - was asked by his pastor, who had just returned from Rome after studying Social Communication at the University of Rome. Pontifical University of the Holy Cross thanks to a grant from the CARF Foundation- Emilio Sumbelelo, our bishop, asked him for the documentation.
Several days passed. The parish priest called his parents to inform them that there was a scholarship to study in Rome and that the diocese had thought of sending Mariano. They accepted, but did not tell him anything. He believed that it was simply an update because he had finished his first year of theology.
He continued his pastoral work in the diocese normally. Some time later, the bishop called him and informed him that he had to move to Rome to complete his formation at the PUSC, thanks to a grant from the CARF Foundation.
«When I received the news, I was disconcerted, but also very happy. I accepted, convinced that it was a providence of God in my life and in my formation, to better serve my diocese and the universal Church in the future, and to configure myself more fully as a priest after the Heart of Jesus».Moreover, it was a significant event for his diocese, since he is the first seminarian to receive priestly formation outside his country. He currently resides in the international school Sedes Sapientiae.
He expresses his deep gratitude, in the name of his bishop, Don Emilio Sumbelelo, of his diocese and in his own name, for your generosity.
«You can always count on our prayers for you, for your families and for your projects. This support is not only for me, but for the Church which I wish to serve with dedication and devotion, thanks to the formation received through your help. God bless you today and always. Thank you very much.
Gerarado FerraraBA in History and Political Science, specializing in the Middle East.
Responsible for students at the University of the Holy Cross in Rome.
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carf@fundacioncarf.orgLandline: +34 914 029 082Mobile: +34 638 078 51145 Conde de Peñalver Street.
