Birthdays

Calendar

Confreres Only

Necrology

Newsletter

News Briefs

Personnel

Prayer Requests

Site Index

Vocation Story

This is the "Vocation Story" of Jesus Guadarrama, C.M. who pronounced vows on September 11, 2003.

Jesus GuadarramaI was born in Ixlahuaca, Mexico, and after I came to the United States, I never imagined that God had a precious gift in store for me, the gift to join the Vincentians. This is my second year of formation, and I really enjoy my life with my brothers. Our simple life of prayer, study, and work fills me in a way hard to describe. Living together, sharing life, laughing; our Vincentian formation is a great gift.

Back in September 1996, I was working at the Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, and a young Hispanic man who had been in an accident was unconscious in the ICU. Valeria, a Mexican had come to the US to help his family, died two months later. This experience had a great impact on my life. It was the first cry of the poor that motivated my vocation to the priesthood. This led to another important moment, a meeting with Fr. Vince Finnerty, CM, the Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Charlotte, NC. Fr. Finnerty, who showed great generosity and love for the poor, invited me to work for the Diocese of Charlotte, NC. For almost three years, I worked in different areas of the diocese with the Hispanic community. This was also a time of discernment and prayer enabling me to discover my call from God to serve the poor.

Three things moved me to enter the Vincentians: the simplicity of their common life; their support for one another, and their love of the poor. I felt confident with them, because in I saw the human face of Christ in them. They really enjoy life, and share the joys, sorrows, and struggles of daily life. Their love of the poor also moved me very much. Finally, their missionary work makes it possible for me to be involved in many and varied ministries in my lifetime.

Jesus GuadarramaWhen I crossed the border between Mexico and the United States, I took a great risk. Now, I feel like I have taken an even greater risk. I look beyond borders and find the face of Christ in the poor. The path of Jesus and St. Vincent is now the path I walk. It is a risk that will lead me into great and wonderful adventures of love and service.

Jesus Guadarrama, C.M. Vincentian Seminarian