SEMINARIAN: LENNIN DARIO ARROYO MARTINEZ

I am from Colombia a country of South America. I was born in a small town called Monteria, but my family now lives in a big city called Medellin. In Medellin, I discovered my vocation to the priesthood when I was in a community of laity that helps people who are homeless. In this community, I was named a youth leader and I felt responsible for making the young people have an experience with God through prayer and helping the needy.

I had to visit the homes of the young people and talk to the parents so they would know what their children do in the community. Over time I felt like a shepherd taking care of the young people as if they were the flock that God gave me in charge.

Many people with vocation invite me to experience in communities and seminaries and I knew that God was calling me to imitate him as a good shepherd.

When I was in the last year of the seminary in Colombia, Father Sergio Serrano arrived and asked the rector if he had vocations available to go to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and be bilingual priests to support the Hispanic communities that are growing in this Church. The Rector of my seminary called me and made me the proposal to come to New Orleans and train as a priest of this beautiful Archdiocese. I was praying and consulting with my spiritual director and I could hear in the voice of my rector the call of God to come to New Orleans and respond to God by serving him among the most needy.

I arrived in New Orleans two years ago and my challenge has been to learn English as a second language. Our beloved Archbishop Gregory Aymond assigned me this summer to St. Catherine of Siena Parish and I am very happy because I will be able to approach the community to tell then about the beautiful experience of my call to serve.

I am ready to serve in this beautiful community, but as a seminarian I also need a lot of training and help to practice my second language. With the grace of God and the hand of our mother, the Virgin Mary, I will be able to serve with all my heart and grow in knowledge and grace.