The first legionary of Christ of Panama

The first Panamanian belonging to the Legionaries of Christ was ordained deacon. The ceremony was held on July 3, in the San Juan Evangelist parish of Santiago de Veraguas, which was attended by relatives and friends of Brother José Luis Martínez.

This is the Panamanian temple where the vocation of the new deacon was strengthened and strengthened, which has taken a crucial step on its way to the priesthood. In his homily, Mons. Audilio Aguilar, local bishop, invited him to live his ministry with charity and joy.

“Joy must be a characteristic of the consecrated person: who has a free, pure heart full of God, has a cheerful heart. I always be happy in the Lord and help the world to see that joy in you,” the prelate told the Assembly, among which were also legionary priests and members of the Christi Regnum.

On the other hand, after ordination, José Luis took the floor to thank – visibly moved, Según Reach El Kingdom of Christ– To all present:

“There is no love bigger than the one who gives life for his friends, writes the evangelist Juan, and that is a certainty that has accompanied me these twelve years of training. Thank you for the company. Simply, thank you,” he said.

The first legionary of Christ of Panama

Days before his diaconal ordination, Brother José Luis said it was a photo of a legionary dressed in Sotana, published on Facebook, which He aroused his vocational discernment.

His life was always marked by an attraction towards the things of God. He catalogs it as “a natural inclination” of which the idea of ​​the priesthood germinated from very early, although he did not understand it but time later.

The new deacon said his childhood “was marked by parish life”, serving as acolyte and catechist. Years later, being a teenager, the option of the priesthood would resonate strongly in his life, taking him to “a deep crisis.”

José Luis had “a girlfriend whom he loved” and a job that offered him good economic stability. In addition, I studied engineering in computer systems and networks.

“A heartbreaking question was unleashed inside: the tension between my personal vocation and my human realization. But it was half truth, an excuse to postpone the inevitable,” he said.

One day, a teacher asks why he had chosen his career, to which the young man responded almost instinctively: “I don’t know, I want to be a priest.” From that moment on, his friends – although surprised – supported him and took care of him.

“It was in those university years, when Facebook began its boom. Navigating my computer, my attention was captured by the image of a legionary in Sotana, published by a consecrated region Christi in Chile,” said José Luis.

This consecrated, he says, was an invaluable guide for his vocation. A short time later he would enter as a candidate for the Legion of Christ.

“It has been the best decision I have made. There is no regret in my heart, only the certainty of having undertaken a journey of self -knowledge and great adventures, a path that just begins with my ministerial stage,” he added.

Since then, Brother José Luis does not conceive his vocation as a gift for himself, but seeks at all times “the closeness with souls”, from which a great learning is born and the continuous opportunity to praise God and serve him better and better.

“Being close to people is not only part of my mission; it is an essential part of how I understand and want to live my priesthood,” he said, and invited young people with some vocational concern not to be afraid and listen to their hearts.