Ramón Pérez Contreras is a Chilean priest from the diocese of Villarrica. After a few months of anguish for not being able to travel to Rome because of the pandemic, he managed to land in early January in the Eternal City to study Church History at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and to "imparare Rome", in the sense of living the ecclesial experience of the universality of the Church. He resides in the Altomonte Priestly College with priests from four continents, close to the Vicar of Christ. And in a very short time I have been able to live in a profound way that proximity of Pope Francis.
He relates in a letter his emotion when the Pope called him on the phone, his filial experience with the Holy Father, the funny anecdote that the Pontiff starred in and Francis' interest in a very personal letter that he was able to give him at the end of an audience in the Paul VI Hall. This is the letter.
When I received the invitation to study in Rome from the Bishop of the Diocese of Villarrica-Chile, where I am from and where I am incardinated, I thought that the Roman experience would not be just a pilgrimage or family trip, but that it would truly be "imperare Roma", with all that this Roman expression entails. After a few months of anguish for not being able to travel, due to the pandemic, I was finally in Rome. I found a great priestly community in Altomonte, where I live and a spectacular university.
One of the recurring phrases I heard was: "It is worth living this rich ecclesial experience in closeness with the Pope". I never thought that, in such a short time, I would live in such a profound way this closeness with the Vicar of Christ.
It all began with enrollment in a course on Apostolic Penance, which, according to the testimony of other brother priests, turned out to be very interesting. As usual, the course was carried out in a very on line, but in the middle of it, we were informed that the hearing with the Pope Francis would be in person for the priests who study in RomeSo, together with the other priests of the house, we prepared ourselves for that moment.
Finally, on March 12, we were able to participate, the only thing I brought with me was a letter I wrote to deliver to the Pope.
"The details of the letter are very personal, besides presenting some doubts I make a suggestion, with much respect and humility."
The Altomonte Priestly College is an international ecclesiastical center of university character, promoted by the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, which welcomes diocesan priests from all over the world. The center responds to a desire of St. Josemaría Escrivá, Founder of Opus Dei, who many years ago had studied the possibility of establishing a college in Rome, whose main purpose was to provide students, through their own activity, with an integral and permanent priestly formation, in the human, spiritual, pastoral and intellectual dimensions.
Established by the Congregation for Catholic Education with the Decree of May 31, 2011, it has its own canonical juridical personality. It has its registered office in Rome in Via Ludovico Barassi snc, in the premises owned by the Istituti Riuniti di San Girolamo della Carità, a private moral organism recognized by the President of the Italian Republic and which has been working constantly for years with the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.
Going to the hearing, I felt close to the possibility of delivering it, especially because we were in the front row, in the right place to see it.
But the Gospel was fulfilled, more important people arrived and we were moved to the back row.(Luke 14:8) I very close to the exit door, the hopes of delivering my letter vanished.
After a beautiful reflection and recommendation of Pope Francis to the priests about the sacrament of reconciliation, he gave us the blessing and left the Paul VI hall, this was my opportunity to show the letter.
With her gaze she told me to come closer and I, full of joy and with a bit of mischief, told her: "Father Jorge Mario (as he was called in the villages) I am Chilean", to which he quickly replied "¡!and what's my fault!"We looked at each other and we both had a good laugh. After a brief conversation, he went on his way to complete that day's busy schedule.
The details of the letter are very personal, in addition to presenting some doubts, I make a suggestion, with much respect and humility. My objective was for you to read it.
"Father Jorge Mario (as he was called in the slums) I am Chilean", to which he quickly replied "and what's my fault", we looked at each other and we both laughed a lot.
What happens next fulfills all my expectations and helps me to understand that for Francis each one of us is important, this is testified in an event that occurred on Wednesday, March 16.
I was at the table sharing a drink with a few brother priests from Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador and with us Mr. Juan Carlos Ossandón, vice-rector of the Altomonte Priestly College. Suddenly a call came in on my phone, it was a private number..
When I answered immediately, I realized that on the other side was Pope Francis, I put it out loud so they could hear his voice and then very excited we talked for a few minutes.
I must say that I was impressed by the detail of calling, his humility to thank me for the suggestion and the affection with which he spoke to me. He gave me some advice on how to make the most of my stay in Rome. At the end I told him: "Holy Father, and can we have some mate?"To which he replied: "Not right now, because I have a lot of work to do, but don't worry, we'll see when we can get together.
I share with you this beautiful experience, which speaks to us above all of the humility of Pope Francis, who, despite all his work, has time to pick up the phone and call this priest who is living this Roman experience.
What happens next fulfills all my expectations and helps me to understand that for Francis each one of us is important, this is testified in an event that occurred on Wednesday, March 16.
I was at the table sharing a drink with a few brother priests from Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador and with us Mr. Juan Carlos Ossandón, vice-rector of the Altomonte Priestly College. Suddenly a call came in on my phone, it was a private number..
When I answered immediately, I realized that on the other side was Pope Francis, I put it out loud so they could hear his voice and then very excited we talked for a few minutes.
I must say that I was impressed by the detail of calling, his humility to thank me for the suggestion and the affection with which he spoke to me. He gave me some advice on how to make the most of my stay in Rome. At the end I told him: "Holy Father, and can we have some mate?"To which he replied: "Not right now, because I have a lot of work to do, but don't worry, we'll see when we can get together.
I share with you this beautiful experience, which speaks to us above all of the humility of Pope Francis, who, despite all his work, has time to pick up the phone and call this priest who is living this Roman experience.
