Help for the training of 27 seminarians, Diocese of Cancún-Chetumal
After Brazil, Mexico, with its close to 130 million inhabitants, ranks as the second most populous Catholic country in the world. However, the number of Catholics is dwindling. Although almost 96% of its population profess themselves Christians, only around 72% now describe themselves as Catholics. The sects, Pentecostalist groups, and occult movements are spreading everywhere. Tragically, Mexico is also a country where priests are repeatedly victims of murder, abductions, and other violent acts. It takes a lot of courage to be a priest here, but there are still many young men ready and willing to follow the call of God.
At the seminary of the Diocese of Cancún-Chetumal, in the state of Quintana Roo on the Yucatán Peninsula, 27 young men are currently following the path to the priesthood. The diocese covers a vast area of just over 50,000 km² and has a ratio of only one priest to over 9,000 faithful. More priests are urgently needed. Most of the population are Indigenous Peoples. There is great poverty and there are places where the Gospel has still not yet been proclaimed. At just 65%, the proportion of Catholics is low compared to the rest of the country.
One of the young men currently training for the priesthood is Erik Rodrigo. His family members are unbelievers and only his brother used to attend church. It was through him that the young Erik joined a missionary 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 very well coming home and very excitedly telling my mother I was going to enter the seminary. Her response was, ‘You’re crazy!’” Despite this, Erik was not deterred and continued to be active in the Church. He found himself first completing a different course of study and landing a good job in one of the government offices, but he could not shake the call of God, so in 2018, he entered the seminary.
His fellow seminarian, Juan Diego, is 21 and describes his own path: “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 less well-served regions in the south of Quintana Roo State. These missions helped me to understand how greatly such communities need God and a shepherd who can listen to them and guide them. I understood consequently why there was this call of God that floods your heart with uncertainty and yet at the same time with peace. But I hesitated to respond to this call until, when I was 18, 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, I also had some very happy moments. I have found God in each of my brothers, in the people I met, in my family and in my friends, and above all in people like yourselves. It is thanks to people like you that the seminary in Cancún can continue to function, so that 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 for the needs of the people of God.”
Forrest (20) already wanted to be a priest at the age of 13. He has been studying philosophy for two years and is likewise grateful to all of you who have supported his training thus far.
“During my formation here, I have come to know the beauty of the community of prayer and study. As I follow this vocation, I fall more and more in love with this Yes that I have uttered to the Lord. Every moment of this journey has been worth it. I thank all those who have made this possible and hope very much that they will continue to support us, so that good and holy priests can be produced for the Church in Quintana Roo. May Almighty God, in His infinite goodness, bless each and every one of you and your families too.”
Once again, this year, we plan to support the training of the 27 seminarians in the diocesan seminary of Cancún-Chetumal, and we have already promised them $25,200. Will you help us?
