Mexico: Nun and priest will compete in marathon to raise funds for educational projects

Sister Marina, from the Fuego Nuevo religious community, and Father José Francisco Gómez Hinojosa, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Monterrey, in the Mexican state of Nuevo León, have set themselves a challenge: run a marathon with the aim of raising funds to support educational projects in religious institutions.

The marathon, which will take place on December 8, will run through the main avenues of Monterrey. According to a video published by the archdiocesan media 21st Century PastoralSister Marina pointed out that the competition will be held with the intention of “running with courage, with a cause.”

Sister Marina, who will run the more than 42 kilometers of the marathon for the first time, will do so to support the academic training of the Fuego Nuevo Sisters, who are trained in Theology and other disciplines. For his part, Father Gómez Hinojosa will participate to benefit the high school of the University of the Archdiocese of Monterrey, intended for students with economic difficulties.

The video details that Sister Marina aims to complete the marathon in an estimated time of between 4:30 and 5 hours, while Father Gómez Hinojosa, who faces his 60th marathon, hopes to finish it between 6 and 6: 30 hours.

Both explained that if anyone fails to meet their challenge, the funds raised will be entirely allocated to the other participant. In the event that both complete the marathon within the scheduled time or with lower marks, the money will be distributed equally between both causes.

“Whatever the result, we can help either institution or even both,” commented Sister Marina, who also highlighted that this challenge helps discover how “we can complement each other and help each other with our gifts in favor of others.”

Those interested in supporting the cause of the Fuego Nuevo Sisters can call the number +528180839707, while those who wish to contribute to the high school of the Archdiocese of Monterrey can call +528111582477.

Exercise for the glory of God

Sister Marina also extended an invitation to the faithful to take on personal challenges that test the body, remembering that “this body, which is also to bless, to share, to be able to discover the gifts and benefits that God has given us in his infinite mercy.”

Father Gómez Hinojosa also joined the call to incorporate exercise into daily life. The priest shared that during his training “I pray the Rosary, I ask for intentions of all kinds,” while greeting the people he crosses his path. Through this practice, he commented, “I put physical exercise in contact with nature, with God our Lord.”