While driving home for lunch on the Pan-American Highway, cutting through the desert south of the city with the roaring Pacific Ocean on his right and sandy Andean foothills on his left, something went terribly wrong. My father was driving at an average speed when two cars intercepted him, one from the front and one from behind. Before he even heard the sound of two shots fired in his direction, my father had already quickly slid onto the lane to... Read more
Mientras regresaba a casa para el almuerzo conduciendo en la carretera panamericana, atravesando el desierto al sur de la ciudad con el ruidoso océano Pacifico a su derecha y cerros arenosos a su izquierda, algo terrible ocurrió. Mi papá iba a una buena velocidad cuando dos autos lo interceptaron, uno por delante y otro por detrás. Antes de escuchar dos disparos, mi papá ya se había deslizado rápidamente al carril derecho. Pisó el acelerador lo más profundo posible, y siguió... Read more
“Every family, despite its weaknesses, can become a light in the darkness of the world “(Amoris Laetitia, 66) I read Amoris Laetitia with great anticipation. For several years now the Church has waited for this document which draws from the two synods on the family held in Rome, as well as the questionnaires on family issues sent by Rome to every single bishop of the world three years ago. The media, both Catholic and secular, has been reporting on Amoris... Read more
I gave this presentation on popular religiosity and its importance for Latin American Catholics during the Second Diocesan Encuentro of the Diocese of Savannah which took place on January 29th and 30th. The first day, about fifty attended (mostly priests) and Father David Garcia from San Antonio gave a very insightful presentation. The second day, over 250 lay leaders from the whole diocese gathered. It was a magnificent event! Here’s my presentation which I gave to a group of priests: Historically,... Read more
María Magdalena se acercó a la tumba temprano una mañana de domingo absolutamente desconsolada, su mente repleta de preguntas, dudas y tristezas. Había iniciado su día temprano, antes de que saliera el sol, así podía llegar a la tumba antes que los primeros rayos de luz surgieran. A pesar de su terrible dolor, vino a la tumba de Jesús para completar la preparación del cuerpo. Al acercarse, su tristeza se convirtió en desconcierto, ¡la piedra a la entrada de la... Read more
Mary Magdalene approached the tomb early on Sunday morning absolutely heartbroken. Her mind was overwhelmed with questions, doubts and sorrows. Her day had started every early, before the sun rose, so she could be at the tomb before the first signs of light. Despite her terrible pain, she came to the tomb of Jesus in order to finish preparing the body. Her sorrow turned into bewilderment as she approached, the stone had been removed from the tomb! Mary already considered... Read more
Easter Sunday this year was very special. Every Easter of course provides a special opportunity to rejoice and to celebrate by remembering the foundation on which our faith rests, the resurrection of Jesus, but this Easter was different for me because of something that happened last November. On November 17th of last year, I celebrated Easter Sunday Mass. On the last day of a pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan, I had the opportunity to celebrate Mass at the Church of... Read more
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us, according to Saint Paul’s teaching in the Letter to the Ephesians, that Jesus “descended into the lower parts of the earth. He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens.” In the Apostles’ Creed we profess that Jesus descended into hell and that on the third day He rose again from the dead. Since apostolic times, the Church has taught that Jesus descended into the realm of the... Read more
What child is this, who, laid to rest On Mary’s lap, is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary! When we hear these words sung, we usually picture the joyful new born Jesus on Mary’s lap. Today, the day we remember the death of Our Savior, read these words picturing Jesus... Read more
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Hispanic Priesthood Vocation Workshop Held
Responding to a desire to increase the number of U.S.-born Hispanic vocations to the priesthood, the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors (NCDVD) has been hosting regional workshops to discuss ways to foster a culture of vocations within Hispanic communities across the country. Having already held workshops in Texas and New York, today about forty-five gathered at Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida for the third workshop. The last one will be held in California next week.... Read more