Friday, 03 May 2013 08:27
Written by Cara Koenig
This is a 24-part series to introduce the seminarians of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City to the people they will one day serve as priests.
Meet John Paul Lewis
1.What is your home parish?
Our Lady's Cathedral, OKC
2. What seminary do you attend?
St. John Vianney in Denver
3. If it is God's will, what year will you be ordained a priest?
2016
4. How old were you when you first thought that God might be calling you to the priesthood?
I've wanted to be a priest since I was four years old.
5. What is your favorite subject in the seminary?
Greek
6. Describe your typical day.
We start with Holy Hour at 5:55 a.m., followed by Morning Prayer, breakfast and class starting at 8:00 a.m. At noon, we have Mass, followed by lunch, and, in the afternoon, we are free for studying, exercising or other activities. At 6:00 p.m., we have Evening Prayer, followed by dinner, and, after dinner, we are free to do whatever until we go to bed.
7. What is the most important thing you have learned in the seminary so far?
The most important thing I have learned in seminary is not an academic lesson. It was a lesson on how to pray, and I continue to learn more about it every day. Our relationship with the Lord is the most important thing in each of our lives, and it is through this prayer that I have come to have a beautiful relationship with Him.
8. What do you look forward to most about becoming a priest?
The thing I look forward to most is the opportunity to bring the Lord's mercy to people in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
9. Who is your favorite saint?
Saint Patrick
10. Name one thing that every Catholic needs to know.
"Jesus never gets tired of forgiving us. It's we who get tired of asking forgiveness."
-- Pope Francis
11. Describe your relationship with Christ.
Christ is my everything. I open myself to his love, and he continues to amaze me with the graces he continues to give me in my life.
12. Why choose a life of sacrificial love in any vocation rather than a life of self-gratification?
We are created to be in relationship. When we live a life of self-gratification, our relationships with God and with others break down slowly. When we live sacrificial love, our relationships are strengthened, and the love of Christ will fill us completely.
Meet Cristobal De Loera
- 1. What is your home parish?
Saint Charles Borromeo
2. What seminary do you attend?
Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
3. If it is God’s will, what year will you be ordained a priest?
In the year of our Lord, 2014
4. How old were you when you first thought that God might be calling you to the priesthood?
I was four years old when I told my mother that I wanted to become a priest. The reason why I told her was because my friends told me that the “boogeyman” was going to come at night and get me. So I went running to my mother and I asked her: If I became a priest the “boogeyman” would not get me and I would go to heaven with God, right? She told me, “That’s right.” So I said, “OK, I want to be a priest forever.” Now that I look back, it was somewhat humorous, but that’s how God planted the seed in me. This was my initial motive for the priesthood, but as the years passed and as I matured I began to know myself better and learned that I had lots of energy and an eagerness to serve. I didn’t know what to do with this; however, I knew that God had greater plans for my life even though, at the time, I didn’t know what those plans were. Another thing that attracted me to the priesthood was the example of many holy and committed priests who spent their lives in serving others and were joyful doing so. I was always amazed by how a priest impacted the lives of those who sought his help.
5. What is your favorite subject in the seminary?
My favorite subject is Preaching class (homiletics)!
6. Describe your typical day.
My day begins with breakfast at 7:00 a.m. and Morning Prayer at 8:00 a.m. Following Morning Prayer, I have two classes. At noon, after my morning classes, we celebrate the Eucharist, which is the pillar that holds together my entire day. After the celebration of the Eucharist, I usually go to the student kitchen to cook a healthy lunch and, after lunch, I have one elective class which ends at 2:05 p.m. After my afternoon class, I go to my work-study job in the library until evening prayer at 4:00 p.m. After all my responsibilities for the day have been met, I schedule an hour and a half to go work out in the gym. This keeps my day balanced and refreshes me for the next day’s responsibilities. Finally, before I retire for the day, I read the lives of the saints.
7. What is the most important thing you have learned in the seminary so far?
The most important thing that I have learned in seminary thus far is that it takes time to carve a good image.
8. What do you look forward to most about becoming a priest?
I look forward to being a bridge that leads others to the very loving heart of the risen Lord.
9. Who is your favorite saint?
Saint Dominic Savio is my favorite saint because he was a normal high-spirited boy who at a young age prayed for long hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament. He is a great example for us. He once said, “But I want everything to be for the glory of God.” His simplicity, cheerfulness, fidelity in little things, helping others and obeying his superiors encourages me to continue persevering in my formation to the priesthood.
10. Name one thing that every Catholic needs to know.
One thing that every Catholic should know is that God, in His abundant love and mercy, will always provide Holy Shepherds for His Church: Blessed John Paul II embodied hope; Benedict XVI embodied faith; Francis is living out charity.
11. Describe your relationship with Christ.
My relationship with Christ can be described in simple words: personal, dynamic, loving and, most importantly, joy-filled and grateful.
12. Why choose a life of sacrificial love in any vocation rather than a life of self-gratification?
First of all, because it is better to give than to receive and because God has loved us first; and, most importantly, because a life of sacrificial love can only be lived out when God is the author and actor in our lives.
What is your home parish? 
Emmaus Days registration 2013
