Óscar Andrés Torres Ávila is a seminarian of the Archdiocese of Ibagué in Colombia.
"I am an only child, and on my mother's side an only grandchild, and even an only nephew, so I have always been accompanied and supported in all aspects. We could say that I am a bit "spoiled", but in a good way. I have received from my family the best of examples: respect, union, responsibility, order, love for work; I always thank the Lord for having given me parents who sowed in me such good examples, and for having always loved me so much. Since I was very young I began to play the piano (from the age of seven), at the beginning a little by my father's wish; but then I fell more and more in love with the instrument and music, to the point that I decided to pursue university studies in piano, being this a very free decision.
My childhood was very much marked by the study of music, and more characterized by reading books than by playing soccer (which I have no idea of any sport), or swimming (which I don't know either), or hanging out with lots of friends, I was rather a bit of a loner. I feel that I enjoyed my childhood in my own way; I remember when I was a little boy my favorite game was to celebrate mass.. My parents even bought me the priestly vestments, and I was happy preaching and saying mass. Even the visitors who came to the house were almost obliged to listen to me playing (laughs). This apparently innocent game (which after the age of ten I hardly played), would later be decisive when I decided to enter the seminary; it was an indelible memory and a sign of God's call.
Music has been the guiding thread of my life.. From the age of seven I dedicated myself to the piano, and I studied uninterruptedly until I was 21. 14 years out of 22! I started at the age of seven going to the Music School of the Conservatory of Tolima, where children and adults go to receive classes of any instrument and music theory. I did my high school in a musical school, where we had classes in mathematics, science, English and choirs, orchestra, harmony; that is, the normal subjects were combined with musical subjects. When I finished this stage, I immediately entered university studies: I studied for five years until I graduated in July of last year, receiving the university degree of "Maestro en Música".
When I started my career I thought I would be a lifelong musician. I would have had no problem with that. But then, in 2016, after starting spiritual direction with Monsignor Miguel Fernando González Mariño, auxiliary bishop of my city, I remembered that call I had received as a child, and each time I felt it more and more intensely in my heart, and with the help of Monsignor, I made the decision to enter the seminary in 2017. But I kept it "in pectore", I carried it in my heart and I did not share it with anyone. That is why more than one was surprised when they heard that I had decided to enter the seminary.
Everyone imagined that I would continue with the musical profession, but I was already determined to leave it to enter the seminary studies.. Spiritual direction marked a turning point for me, since it was a moment of discernment, and a reencounter with God, reviving my faith, my prayer, and gradually adjusting myself to the university life I was leading. (which was a bit of a slow process). Now I am happy at the seminary.
While I was studying piano, I gradually became involved in various groups in my parish (the cathedral of Ibagué): I was in the health pastoral, the parish choir, from time to time I collaborated as an organist and I sangMiguel Fernando González Mariño, with whom we began to take spiritual direction, opening a new path in my life, of greater closeness to God, of order in my prayer, and thus I began to discern my priestly vocation.
I remember that one of the first questions the Monsignor asked me was: "What do you want to know?and you have never felt the call to be a priest?". After this question I had no choice but to say "yes", because at that moment I remembered those childhood games of celebrating Mass. That game had resulted in a kind of imprint that Christ had left on me, which despite the years never faded, even though I had not paid attention to it for a long time. Spiritual direction got me more and more on track, since I was leading a university life of a lot of partying and drinking; so I moderated myself little by little (laughs).
To Monsignor I owe the guidance in discernment, which led to my decision to enter the seminary, and after my degree, I began my studies at the Bidasoa International Seminary, located in Pamplona, Spain, where I have been for 10 months now, and I feel very happy. It was precisely in this seminary that Monsignor Miguel Fernando did his seminary studies. I am a seminarian of the Archdiocese of Ibagué, and I am preparing myself to be able to return there and give the best possible service to my beloved Particular Church.
I have been living for two years at the Bidasoa International College and these last two years have been some of the happiest of my life because, on the one hand, they have been marked by the Yes I have given to the Lord after hearing his call to priestly ministry, and on the other hand, in the Seminary I have been welcomed, supported, understood and motivated to continue on my vocational journey.
A very beautiful thing that has happened to me and that I value deeply in my heart is the support given in Bidasoa to the various talents and gifts that the Lord has placed in each seminarian: before entering the Seminary I graduated as a professional pianist at the Conservatory of my city and now I complement my theological formation with organ and sacred music studies, always with the encouragement of the dear formators of the Seminary. In this house I feel very loved and happy. I thank God for having given me this opportunity.
My great dream as a priest is concise and clear: to save souls. I think one accepts the Lord's call to fulfill his dream, and Christ's dream is "that all men may be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth". To save and evangelize. In this is summarized my dream; and a great weapon to evangelize will be the music, only if it is able to show the truth, to transmit the Word of God, and the praise of his people. May God allow me to collaborate with him in his saving plan for his people, that is my desire. But for this I must become more and more like Him, recognizing myself as a sinner, and striving for holiness day by day, until I become an "Alter Christus"."
"One of the ways - perhaps the best - in which I can thank you for your most generous help is to pray for your lives, your work and your families. In these difficult times, I keep you especially present in my prayers and, of course, at daily Mass. I have no way to repay you for your kindness.
I would like to ask you to keep me in your prayers, so that my vocation, which is promoted and strengthened by your great support, may bear the fruits that the Lord expects from it. May He bless you always."
Supports a vocation anywhere in the world
A full scholarship of 18,000 euros is the amount necessary for a candidate to live and study for one year at their university locations, whether in Rome or Pamplona. The neediest dioceses in the world require a full scholarship for their candidates. In many cases, the diocese covers part of this cost and a lesser amount is required, which is always indicated with the candidate's application.
What does a full scholarship consist of?
More than 800 bishops from all five continents request study grants for their candidates through scholarships. Thanks to benefactors like you, CARF meets most of the requests, but the needs are growing and we want all requests to be met.
In the graph you can see the composition of a full scholarship.
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