Q.– Not too long ago you were Prior of the Formation House in Tagaste in the East Coast of USA. Was it something surprising that you are named Director of Vocations for the Province of St. Augustine?
A.– I was Prior of Tagaste Monastery (Suffern, New York) for two years. Since the Province was having difficulty in finding an experienced religious in youth ministry, I was requested to consider that position. I agreed to resign as prior of Tagaste provided that the provincial Council would agree to give me that position. I was then asked to assume the full-time position of Vocation Director. I continue to be the president of the Secretariat of Vocations and Formation. The Provincial also named me as sub-prior of St. Augustine Priory (Oxnard, California) and procurator of the same.
Q.– What was the reason behind your assignment ?
A.– The Province has made vocations a priority. Six local promoters have been named. Two from the East Coast, three from the West Coast and one from Mexico. They together with the Provincial Vocational Director are developing strategies for promoting vocational projects.
Q.– Why were your transferred to California?
Participants in a vocation meeting A.– In the West Coast there are more opportunities for communications because of the monthly retreats. I expressed my willingness to visit the parishes, to give youth retreats and to speak at all the masses in each of our parishes at least once a year. I also visit youth congresses and gatherings in order to speak about the order and vocations.
Q.– What are your main activities to date?
A.– The vocation office maintains contact with 25 future candidates at different levels of discernment. Some students in formation from Tagaste spent few weeks in Oxnard to acquaint themselves with vocation promotion. All the three of us went to some television programs to tape interviews concerning the Order and our decision to become Augustinian Recollects. One of the candidates belonging to our parish, Mary Star of the Sea in Oxnard, spoke in all seven masses in August, informing the parishioners of his decision to enter the Order. Since he has been so involved in the parish, the news was received with great joy.
Q.– How do you normally go about the process?
Vocation meeting A.– Each month, these future candidates who attend the monthly retreats receive an invitation by email or regular mail. In the East Coast, it is more difficult, since there are few youth groups. However, the religious in that area have come up with good ideas like retreats.
The Provincial Council has approved the program of allowing future candidates to spend several weeks in the Priory of Oxnard to enable them to discern their vocation. The condition is based on the directives of the Order. Likewise, the local community commits itself to create an environment conducive to the personal and spiritual enrichment of the candidates.
Q.– Do you feel the support and collaboration of the brothers?
A.–The greatest support and motivation come from the Provincial and the Religious of the Provincial House. The Provincial has set the direction and support for the many projects.
Q.– Which is the greatest obstacle you encounter?
A.– It is not always possible for the vocational team to get together because of distance and schedules. However, we communicate by phone, email and see each other at monthly regional retreats. There, future plans for vocational promotion are presented and shared.
Q.– Fr. Ramon, perhaps you have noticed that people have expressed surprise or disbelief in you as vocation director considering that you are already 78 years of age. What do you have to say about this? How do you find yourself in this ministry?
Activities A.– I am very happy to engage myself in this ministry of vocational promotion. I realize that many are surprised for someone of my age to have success in fostering vocation. I believe that if you are a person of love, you inspire love; if you are a person of hope, you communicate hope; if you are happy, you motivate happiness; if you are a committed person, you encourage commitment; if you consider yourself blessed, you become a blessing to others. I have been fortunate to have received all these qualities from God and others, and I give priority in integrating and reflecting them in my ministry.
I remember one of my professors saying that the best and most effective ministry is a result of our reflection on our experiences. Age has little to do with effectiveness if the person is himself the message. If I am doing God’s will, all I need is to be open and sensitive to His presence and love in everything I do in his name. I will never allow my age to interfere with His will, nor use it as an excuse for not responding to his inspirations. After all I am only a channel through whom God works.