Father Francisco Rodriguez

My life before the seminary:
I grew up very close to the church, especially since my family was (and still is) a missionary family. I have attended Mass every Sunday and celebrated the Liturgy of the Word every Wednesday through the Neocatechumenal Communities. In addition, I would have a Sunday retreat with my community every month. The Neocatechumenal Way has been instrumental for my formation as a Christian. I grew up doing Morning Prayer every Sunday with my entire family. This allowed us to have a relationship with God as a family. All this helped to create a real relationship with him. This joy caused in me a desire for God.

What convinced me to enter the seminary:
Since 2005, I have had the privilege to go to the World Youth Days, which were pilgrimages of about 7 to 15 days. In the World Youth Day of 2005, in Germany I first felt called to the priesthood. I decided that I prefered to get married and disregarded the call. Then with the help of lay catechists, who began to nourish the call I had received, I felt called again in the World Youth Day of Australia (2008) and it was confirmed in a Youth Meeting in Newark, NJ. 

Other interests include:
Soccer and music (playing the violin and guitar).