Luis H. Agudelo
Home Parish:
Saint Mary Star Of the Sea
Seminary:
Holy Apostles Seminary, Cromwell, CT
High School:
IDEM “German Medina Angulo”
College:
Universidad Pontificia Bolivarina
Hobbies:
Service to others, soccer, swimming, dancing, reading, writing.
When was the first time you thought of or about becoming a diocesan priest?
I think about priesthood in my early years was something that really I cannot express. I did not see it clearly, but it was in the deepest part of my heart. But I did not understand at the time the magnitude of difficulties that illegitimacy faced me with. But to be an illegitimate child was closing all the possibilities of ever coming to be.
What were major Catholic activities you participated in prior to attending the seminary?
I am writing of the experiences I have had in the Church in my life. I am a person concerned about social issues, as well as religious practices. During my life I have been confronted with a deep impressive reality. "God is the great unknown in the lives of many people" "they have not received the gift of faith". While I am talking with them, I discover that the seed of the faith is inside of them. I recognize the opportunity to show them God's love through my witness and testimony. Also, I attended the Boys Scouts of Colombia. For me this experience was very pleasant and it helped me to learn to serve the community, the Church and the people in general.
Who influenced/inspired you to consider diocesan priesthood?
In the 80’s, I had to do military obligatory service, it was my first time leaving home. There I had a strong encounter with God. God was so present in my heart, in my life, my prayer were constant and deep enough to give me interior peace. We were being trained to the fight guerillas; but inside of me there was something telling me to pray more a more to God. My prayer was the following “Lord Jesus, do not allow me to meet a guerrilla because I do not want to kill, and I do not want to be killed. That prayer was constantly in my heart, at night, in the mornings and during every Sunday that we had the Holy Eucharist.
My response to consider diocesan priesthood is that I believe that I am fully capable of carrying out the duties and most of all I enjoy the serving others I am a person concerned about social issues, my personal experience in my life. Finally, my service must reflects the gratitude that I have with God and the best way it is to tell him I want to continue with his mission.
What would you say to a young man who thinks he may have a priestly vocation?
Let me give to you an example from me. I am illegitimate. In Colombia almost impossible to become a priest the door was closed, but I try another door. In America it is possible for one to become a priest even if illegitimate. The door is open. If at first you do not succeed, try, try, again. “Keep working at it. God work in mysterious ways”.
Jesus comes to me and invites me to share and multiply my talents and help to discover in each other the immense love that we have. In a rather secular and indifferent society Jesus calls us without exception in different ways.
What activities would you recommend in order help foster a culture of vocations to priesthood or religious life?
I would like to recommend the following activities:
• Listen to God when He answers.
• Attending Holy Eucharist and other religious services.
• Pray to God for guidance.
• Help in the community and service to others.
• Reading the word of God (Bible).
• Pray in family.• Family participation in all above.
What was your career or background before entering the seminary?
I am graduated from High School there and also am a graduated of Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana. My major was in Philosophy. After graduation I taught Social Sciences, Social politics and Philosophy in grades 6 thru 11. For 3 years.
When did you first think that god was calling you to be a priest?
In my early years, my mother helped me to understand the importance of the Holy Eucharist and all religious services during the Church’s liturgical calendar during the earliest years of my life. I especially enjoyed the Holy Week services. This was probably the beginning of my vocation.
Please describe the importance of prayer in your life.
Pray is always been in my life. My mother set a good example, she took us to Mass and others services, she made us show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. She taught us the importance of the prayer. For this early childhood experience, prayer has always been in always will be a major part of my life.