Three seminarians from Mexico participate in Lanuage, Culture, Church Program at seminary

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
Jan. 11, 2007

CONCEPTION, Mo. - Three of the seminarians from Mexico studying to become priests for the Diocese of Sioux City are currently taking courses at Conception Seminary in Conception, Mo.

Mauro Sanchez and Joaquin Guerro have been at Conception Seminary for two and a half years. Gerardo Guerro began his studies there this past semester. Mauro is the uncle to brothers, Joaquin and Gerardo. All three seminarians are part of the Language, Culture, Church Program at the seminary.

According Sister Maria Armijo, director of the program, she started the program in 1998. There have been and are students in the program from several places including Mexico, El Salvador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Columbia, Nicaragua, Germany and Vietnam.

"The purpose was to have a place available for students who were coming from out of the country. In particular Hispanic students because of the great need for Hispanic priests in the United States," said Sister Maria. "It is a program that teaches them English and prepares them to do ministry with not just the Hispanic but the entire Catholic population of the diocese they belong to."

She added that the program is "more than an ESL program. They live and rub elbows with the culture 24 hours a day. They are preparing to be priests so they have to know it is the same Catholic Church but there are different styles of prayer. They need to be aware of and learn about the church in the United States."

Joaquin, who began his third year at Conception in the fall, noted that it was hard to leave his family and his country.

"When I was in Mexico, it was fine because the seminary was so close to my home," said Joaquin. "When I came here, it was difficult to leave my family because it was so far. The language was difficult for me. I am still working on that."

He visited the Diocese of Sioux City two and a half years ago along with other seminarians from Mexico including Mauro. Father Brian Hughes, director of vocations for the diocese, invited them to visit the diocese.

"I visited some parishes in the Sioux City Diocese. I talked with the people, and they told me that they need a leader for them," said Joaquin. "My seminary in Mexico was for missionary so after three years I needed to choose a diocese in Mexico or out of Mexico."

He noted that he decided to study for the Diocese of Sioux City because it was like his home - rural and not too many people.

"I like the people in Sioux City. They welcomed me," said Joaquin.

He visits the diocese once a month and has been able to help with the youth group at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. He also assists the Spanish secretary there.

He mentioned that his parents approve of him coming to the United States.

"They are very happy because I am studying to become a priest. The first thing was that they didn't like the idea of me coming to the United States. Now they are really happy," said Joaquin.

He noted that one difference in the education in the United States is that the students have more "freedom and liberty. In Mexico, it is more conservative."

"My classmates and the people are very friendly. They understand that you don't speak really good English," said Joaquin.

Mauro, who is also in his third year at Conception, the most difficult thing for him was also leaving his country and going to a place with no family.

"I am far away from my parents and most of my brothers," said Mauro. "My parents are happy about the decision I made, but they share the same thing with me that they are sometimes sad about me coming to the United States because I only go to visit once a year."

The three seminarians are able to visit their families in Mexico every Christmas.

Since Mauro is Joaquin and Gerardo's uncle, Mauro commented that it is nice to have some family around.

"I think it is a good thing because I am proud about having two nephews with me at the same seminary studying to become a priest," said Mauro.

When he visited the Diocese of Sioux City for the first time, he talked to the Hispanic people about the needs they have.

"I saw that there is a great necessity for a priest that speaks their language," said Mauro.

He has six and a half more years of study before he will be ordained a priest.

Mauro mentioned that a favorite part of being in the United States for him is that "they welcome everybody. They are very friendly."

Mauro also visits the diocese once a month. He helps with Masses and visits people in the Hispanic community.

"I talk to them about what is going on in their parish, how they relate with the priest there and how they like the schedule for Mass and for other things they need as Catholics," said Mauro.

This is Gerardo's first year at Conception, so he is still working on his English. Mauro translated for him during the interview with The Globe.

Gerardo commented that it has been difficult to leave his family in Mexico as well as leaving the seminary and his friends in Mexico.

He was able to visit the Diocese of Sioux City two summers ago, before starting at Conception Seminary. While in the diocese, Gerardo was able to see what the necessities of the Hispanic community are.

Gerardo has several years of study left - English, philosophy and theology - before he will be ordained to the priesthood.

"My parents are happy that I am studying in the seminary, and they accept the decision I made," said Gerardo.

Gerardo also noted that the education system in the U.S. allows for more liberty.

"I can make my own decisions," said Gerardo.

Along with visiting the diocese throughout the year, the seminarians have also been spending summers in the diocese studying English through a program with Sister Mary Lee Cox, OSF.