The story of Mariano, a young seminarian from Angola, is marked by a process of discovery and progressive discernment at the hand of his parish priest. He is now improving his formation by studying theology in order to become a priest.
His spiritual life was well covered: his parents, from a Christian family, enrolled him in catechism classes when he was a child and he also studied in a Catholic school, although at that age he did not show much interest in the things of the Church.
In 2009, he had a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Angola, fortunately, Mariano personally received the blessing of the Holy Father.
«At that time I was 8 years old. When I came home, I told my parents that I would like to be like the Pope, something typical for children. Eventually, that happened.
The key moment that brought him back to church life through service as an acolyte was the preparation for his First Communion.
After some time, it was time to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist. The parish priest indicated that only those who belonged to a youth group could receive it, in order to integrate them more into the Church. Mariano did not belong to any of these groups.
«I thought about becoming a scout, but the parish priest called me and told me I had to be an acolyte. There everything started all over again: the close contact with priests and bishops awakened something in me that I didn't understand, but that fascinated me. Then I remembered my childhood desire to be like the Pope, although I didn't know that the Pope was also a priest. priest and bishop. As I discovered these things, I felt more strongly that the Lord was calling me to it.».
Some years went by and he noticed that some of the acolytes of the parish, after a period of academic formation and accompaniment by the priests and vocation teams, were going to a place called «seminary». Mariano did not know what it was, but he began to wonder and to feel that maybe that was his place.
«So when I was finishing my elementary studies, I became much more active in church activities, attended groups, helped whenever necessary in the sacristy services and even became one of the formators of the acolytes.».
«Gradually a closer relationship with the parish priest developed. I often accompanied him to different communities to help with the Masses and with the purchase of materials for the sacristy, the vestments and, at those times, he would talk a lot with me explaining what the seminary was and what the priesthood consisted of and being a priest of God for others.».
Mariano Capusu began to identify with this vocation. He spent more time and felt better at church helping than at home or in the neighborhood. In his neighborhood there were hardly any Catholics and his time was almost always reduced to the world of soccer or other activities or matters of little interest.
The decisive moment and the key to the whole process came when he realized the shortage of priests everywhere. He discovered that there were communities of the faithful who only celebrated Mass once a month, or even every two months, due to the lack of priests. He then understood that he had to serving the Church with the ministry of the priest to bring Christ to those who also needed that presence.
When he was in his last academic year, his pastor spoke to his parents to see if they were in agreement that he should enter the seminary. They were opposed. Without Mariano's knowledge, his father wanted to check if this was really his vocation and suggested that he apply for some civil formation scholarships to pursue other studies that had nothing to do with the priesthood. Mariano turned them down without hesitation, thus confirming his decision to enter the seminary. He spoke with his parish priest, took the admission tests and was accepted.
«I completed the three years of secondary education and then went on to study philosophy, which I completed in another three years. After those three additional years, at the end, my spiritual director told me: “Now begins the stage of configuration. If you feel that the Lord is calling you, go ahead; if not, it is better to stop and choose another life”. After a time of reflection and prayer, of thinking and praying, I confirmed in my heart what the Lord was asking of me and I applied to study theology.
During the first year of Theology, in the second semester of the course and in the middle of the exam period, your pastor - who had just returned from Rome after studying Social Communication at the University of Rome - was asked to take an exam at the end of the year. Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (PUSC) thanks to the support of the partners, friends and benefactors of the CARF Foundation- Emilio Sumbelelo, the bishop, asked him for the documentation.
«Many days passed. The pastor called my parents to inform them that there was a scholarship to study in Rome and that the diocese had thought of sending me. They accepted, but did not tell me anything. I had already forgotten about that visit and, besides, I thought that it was just an update for having finished the first year of theology.
He continued his pastoral work in the diocese normally and without thinking about that situation again. But some time later, the bishop called Mariano and informed him that he had to move to Rome to complete his formation at the PUSC, thanks to a grant for formation, room and board financed by the CARF Foundation.
«When I received the news, I was bewildered and in a shock I accepted, convinced that it was a gift and an undeserved design of God's providence for my life and my education. I accepted, convinced that it was a gift and undeserved design of God's providence for my life and my formation. Thus in the future I could better serve my diocese and the universal Church, and to configure myself more fully as a model priest according to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, being here in the heart of the Church of Christ».
It was even a great gift for Mariano to be the first seminarian in the diocese to receive priestly formation abroad and in Rome at a Pontifical University. In addition, he has had the opportunity to live in the international school Sedes Sapientiae.
Mariano expresses his deep gratitude, on behalf of his bishop, Don Emilio Sumbelelo, his diocese and himself, for the generosity of the members, benefactors and friends of the CARF Foundation.
«You can always count on our daily prayers for you, for your families and for your work and projects. All this good and support is not only for me, but for the Church which I wish to serve today and tomorrow with zeal, love, dedication and devotion, thanks to the magnificent formation I am receiving thanks to your generosity.».
«GOD BLESS YOU TODAY AND ALWAYS. MY PRAYERS IN YOUR FAVOR, ALWAYS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH».
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