The First Few Months After Ordination
- Augustinian Vocations
- Dec 9, 2016
- 2 min read
In June, 2016, Carlos Medina, O.S.A., was ordained to the priesthood! After his first six months as an ordained priests, we had a few questions for him ...
What is different in life now that you are a priest?
Since I have to preach several times a week, I personally profit more from the liturgy because of the time I spend reflecting on the readings and the lives of the saints in order to prepare my homilies.
What surprised you the most that you weren't expecting of priestly ministry?
I have been surprised the most by the number of parents who come seeking to baptize their children at our parish because they have been denied at their own parishes for not being married in the Catholic Church. We accept these families who felt on the verge of leaving altogether the Church, and it then leads to a conversation about the sacrament of marriage, and Catholic education for their children.
When did you start thinking about the priesthood?
I had thought about the priesthood as a child, but the thought became serious during my second year of college.
How does living in an Augustinian community impact your priestly ministry?
Living in an Augustinian community allows me to listen to the experiences of other friars who are retired or who have different ministries from me, and to learn from them. I am also grateful for their support.
Favorite Augustinian quote?
"Suppose you are going to fill some holder or container, and you know you will be given a large amount. Then you set about stretching your sack or wine skin or whatever it is. Why? Because you know the quantity you will have to put in it and your eyes tell you there is not enough room.
"By stretching it, therefore, you increase the capacity of the sack, and this is how God deals with us."
What advice do you have to young men discerning the priesthood?
Talk about it. Pray about it. Give it a try.
