«My name is Cristian Ernesto Velásquez Tejada, and I am a seminarian from the Diocese of Granada, Nicaragua—a deeply Marian diocese that encompasses the departments of Granada, Boaco, and Rivas. Although my parents were not practicing Catholics, my maternal grandmother planted the seed of faith in me during my childhood, teaching me to pray and to invite the Blessed Virgin into my life as a true mother.”.

From a very young age, I began serving as an altar boy at my home parish, Our Lady of the Assumption in Xalteva; there, under the initial guidance of the Society of Jesus, I learned to love the Sacred Heart of Jesus and came to understand the value of spiritual direction. In 2012, when I started high school, the parish came under the care of the diocesan clergy; the example of closeness set by my first diocesan pastor, Father Augusto, as well as that of the vicar general and current pastor, Father Luis Vallejos, rekindled in me the desire to follow Jesus Christ. After graduating from high school and deepening this calling through spiritual guidance, I entered the diocesan seminary, where I studied philosophy, which broadened my vision of ecclesial service.

I am currently in Spain continuing my studies at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarra and at the Bidasoa International Ecclesiastical College, which represents a valuable challenge to better serve the People of God. I express my most sincere gratitude to the CARF Foundation and its benefactors for their generous support, entrusting them to the protection of Our Mother of Beautiful Love so that she may continue to guide our steps.».