“I really want to be a merciful priest”

Deacon Rodrigo Serna knew by age 9 he wanted to be a “padre” when he grew up, even practicing Mass at home and once “marrying” his cat and dog.

So, at the inexperienced age of 14, he left his parents, three older brothers and two older sisters in Calvillo, Mexico, to enter Seminario Diocesano Aguascalientes. With the encouragement and support of his grandmother and aunt who took him to Mass, taught him how to serve at the altar and how to pray the rosary, he thrived.

He entered the Conception Seminary College Language program in Missouri at 24, and Kenrick-Glennon Theological Seminary in Saint Louis at 26. 

Then, two pivotal events changed the course of his life.

In 2020, during his final year of seminary, the COVID global pandemic struck. Later that year, he was ordained a deacon, which sparked a serious vocational crisis that consumed him.

He asked to leave the archdiocese and return to Mexico for a year to allow time to discern with clear heart and mind. 

“I always wanted to be a priest until I got ordained a deacon,” he said. “As soon as I had a title in front of my name, people treated me differently. And during the pandemic I saw so many priests isolate themselves and I didn’t want to be like that. It was the worst vocation crisis I’ve ever had.”

Archbishop Coakley granted Serna’s request for leave. He returned to Mexico where he continued to attend Mass and work a “regular” job, not telling anyone he was a deacon.

“Since I became a seminarian at 14 years old, I didn’t know what life was like.”

After unforeseen immigration issues, one year became more than two. The added time, however, allowed Serna to interact with co-workers and new friends, and to really discern the path he wanted to take.

“Just being able to listen to them talk about their problems, made me think this is like a priest. Many of my co-workers had addiction problems and other issues. People could approach me because I was a regular guy and I wanted to help. I hope to be approachable even as a priest. I realized the priesthood is a call to heal broken people from a broken heart.”

After an 18-year discernment process, Rodrigo Arturo Serna Velasco will be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City on Aug. 12 at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. His parents, Maria del Socorro Velasco and Jose Rosario Serna, and some of his siblings will attend.

He hopes his discernment process inspires young men to consider the priesthood even if they have questions or don’t see themselves in other priests or seminarians.

“Don’t be afraid. God is in charge. Sometimes we don’t see him working but he is. I would say talk to someone they trust. My problem in seminary was they wanted me to be like them and I wasn’t like them. Just be authentic.”

Serna, 31, currently serves as a deacon at Saint Eugene Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. His home parish is Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Norman where Father Joseph Irwin is pastor.

“I have known Deacon Rodrigo for his whole time in seminary. He is a real gift to our archdiocese and for the Church,” Father Irwin said. “We are so proud that God has led Deacon Rodrigo to the priesthood. He's ready to serve, to teach and to give his life at the altar of God.”

As his ordination day approaches, Deacon Serna said he has thought more about the type of priest he wants to be and how he plans to serve God.

“You have to trust God and you have to pray to God. You have to serve people too, but in the end the one you’re serving is God. You’re doing things in his name,” he said. 

“My biggest thing would be mercy. I really want to be a merciful priest. It’s actually in darkness or sin that God calls, at least that’s what I’ve experienced. Since I have found mercy in God, I just want to share that mercy with everyone. I have seen priests who would close their eyes to the realities we are living, but the people are living that reality and they won’t change until they can see you are someone they can trust. After that you can get them closer to the Church. They are facing this reality and I want to say, ‘How can I help you?’”

Diane Clay is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.