I felt my vocation to the priesthood when I was a child in my country Mexico. Since that time I have never thought about other types of life. The first time I told my parents of my decision they felt happy, and until now they still are. When I was in Mexico I met the seminarians from Archdiocese of Guadalajara, and I joined the seminary. In fact I was a seminarian for three years.
My destiny changed totally when my parents brought me to the United States in 1996. Since that time I began to study high school. During my high school studies I met the Order of Augustinian Recollects in Oxnard, CA. When I met them they invited me to join their vocation retreats on weekends. When I finished high school I joined the Augustinian Recollects as a seminarian.
I spent one year as a postulant in St. Augustinian Priory in Oxnard, CA. I spent the whole year learning how the Augustinian Recollects live. Then, I spent one year as a novice in Monteagudo, Spain. During that year I began to live the Augustinian Recollect religious life myself. When I returned from Spain I made my simple profession at St. Augustine Priory in Oxnard, CA. Having my family at my profession was very special for me because I could feel their support.
For the last year I have been living in Tagaste Monastery in Suffern, NY. Here I am studying English at Rockland Community College, and I am continuing to learn St. Augustine's way of life.
Thanks be to God I am very happy to be an Augustinian Recollect friar.
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