Giving thanks for my vocation to priesthood

Monday, November 16, 2009

*Father Roberto Garza

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Around the world every day, priests and faithful gather at the altar to give thanks. We share in Eucharist, a gift of eternity which began on the day of our baptism. Eucharist, from the Greek, �eucharisteo,� means give thanks, to be thankful, or thanksgiving. In giving thanks for my vocation to the priesthood of Jesus Christ upon celebrating Eucharist every day, this year that our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has proclaimed as a Year for Priests,
I especially pray for all priests, but especially those who have been instruments of the trademark of eternity:

Father Lawrence A. Hemp baptized me on Nov. 12, 1967 Msgr. Armando Balado heard
my first confession on March 15, 1975 and gave me first Communion on April 13, 1975

Auxiliary Bishop Agust�n Rom�n confirmed me on Feb. 11, 1981 Archbishop John Clement Favalora ordained me a transitional deacon on Dec. 9, 1995 and to the priesthood of Jesus Christ on May 11, 1996.

As a child I wanted to be like my favorite superhero, Aquaman, able to live on land and swim the depths of the sea, saving the world from evil villains. In middle school I wanted to be a chef or a doctor. By the time I was in high school, I changed my mind many times as to who I was going to be. Upon graduation I was definitely decided, or so I thought:
I was going to get married, have 12 children, and be a world famous architect.

God had a different plan. Since baptism, my life became an open field where seeds were planted. Little did Father Hemp know that he was an instrument of God in my life as
he poured the baptismal waters upon me that day. I pray for him every day.

The mercy of God is awesome. I will never forget my first entrance into the confessional at St. Margaret. I can still smell the fresh white paint. I remember the words of absolution in the merciful voice of Jesus� priest, the same priest who later shared with me, for the first time in my life, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

My life changed and like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, the seed was nourished, yet I did not recognize it. My family was active in the parish and religious education continued every year. No Catholic school in Clewiston; only many practicing Catholic teachers in my public schools. They nourished the seed. I thank God for them all.

Time for confirmation. I had to go, there was no option, just as at baptism my parents did not ask me. They took me to prepare and receive the sacrament. The seeds were again nourished. I give thanks for my parents.

Graduation came and went, I moved away. On my own, no parents, no brothers, no sister, no family, no Church, I had everything. So I thought. After three months on my own, I felt alone. No one around, yet surrounded by people. Not knowing where to find the closest church, I knew that a Catholic hospital had to have a chapel. I thank God for Holy Cross Hospital. I met a nun. I do not remember her name or her words, just that she prayed for me. I cried, she cried with me, she watered the seed.

I returned to the Church: San Isidro, my new home, named for the patron of farm workers. There the seed sprouted and God called. I responded, not knowing where I was to go;
I embarked on the journey. My desire changed, I wanted to serve God as a priest. After eight years of struggle, challenge and grace I thanked God with Archbishop John Clement Favalora as he ordained me to the Order of Deacons and then to the priesthood of
Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving Day is not just the fourth Thursday of November. For me it is every day as
I approach the altar of Christ. I thank the Lord for my parents, Ramon and Mar�a Teresa Garza. I thank Jesus for having called Father Lawrence Hemp, Msgr. Armando Balado, Bishop Agust�n Rom�n, and Archbishop John Clement Favalora. I thank these four priests for surrendering their lives to the priesthood of Jesus Christ, for being the instruments of eternity as they celebrated the living presence of God in my life.

Next time you approach the altar of Christ, remember the priests who through the sacraments opened the door to eternity in your life. Let us allow the trademark of eternity to give witness of the gift of the Body and Blood of Christ in our lives. Let us receive Eucharist. Let us be thankful.

Father Roberto Garza
Vocations director, Archdiocese of Miami