Help for the Training of Seminarians in Mexico 

Mexico has the world’s second-largest Catholic population, but that group is gradually shrinking. Almost 96 percent of the country identify as Christian, but only around 72 percent are Catholic. Sects, Pentecostalist groups, and occult movements are spreading everywhere. And priests in Mexico are victims of murder, abduction, and other violence. It takes a lot of courage to be a priest here – and yet there are still a number of young men ready and willing to follow the call of God. 

At the seminary of the Diocese of Cancún-Chetumal, there are currently 27 young men following the path to priesthood. The diocese covers a vast area, of over 10,700 square miles, and has a ratio of just one priest to over 9,000 people. More priests are urgently needed; there is great poverty in this area, and there are places where the Gospel has not been introduced. 

One of the young men training for the priesthood is Erik Rodrigo. His family is not Catholic; only his brother attended church. But through him, the young Erik joined a Catholic youth group. He recalls, “While there, I got to know a seminarian by the name of Alejandro, who invited me to take part in their vocations meetings, and I loved being involved in them. I can still remember coming home and very excitedly telling my mother that I was going to enter the seminary. Her response was ‘You‘re crazy!’” Despite this, Erik remained active in the Church. He did pursue another course of study and find work in a government office, but he still felt the call of God. So, in 2018, he entered the seminary. 

His fellow seminarian, Juan Diego, is 21. Juan Diego says, “My vocation began when I was 15. I was a member of an apostolic group of lay missionaries who went about evangelizing people in the pastorally poorer-served regions of Quintana Roo State. The missions helped me to understand how greatly these communities need God, and why there was this call of God that flooded my heart with uncertainty and peace at the same time. But I hesitated to answer this call until I was 18, when I got to know a seminarian who helped me discern my vocation. I learned more about myself, about God, and about His people. And so I finally made the decision to listen to this inner restlessness that God had planted in my heart. It was by no means an easy path, and I had some very difficult moments in the seminary. But with the help of prayer and the help of God, I continued on this path. And just as there were difficult moments, so I also had some very happy moments. I have found God in each of my brothers, in the people I have met, in my family, in my friends, and above all, in people like yourselves. It is thanks to people like you that the seminary in Cancun can function, so my fellow seminarians and I can be trained in the best possible way and so that – when God gives me the grace of the priesthood – I can commit myself like you forever to the needs of the people of God.“ 

Once again, we plan to support the training of seminarians in the Diocese of Cancún-Chetumal. We have already promised them $19,405. Will you help us? 

Code: 230-02-79