Leonardo was born in El Tigre (Venezuela), but grew up in Pariaguán, "a town to which God has given beautiful sunsets that can be appreciated on the great flat horizon when the sun goes down," says Leo.
In that town he keeps his best memories with his family and friends, a village to which he always returned for vacations during his time in the seminary in Venezuela to be with his family and help in the parish.
He spent his childhood there, accompanied by his mother and grandmother, the two women who sowed in him the seed of faith. "My family is a gift from God for me," he confesses tenderly. He is the youngest of four siblings, and although his father was absent, the warmth of his home, Sunday catechesis and the example of his elders gave him a deep sense of community.
Now, her nieces and nephews are the joy of them all. "For me, the family is an essential part of my life in all aspects. Leo is saddened to recall that some of his family members have had no choice but to leave Venezuela due to the political situation.
It was in his adolescence, while helping as an altar boy, singing at Mass or participating in the Legion of Mary, that he began to wonder about his future. At the age of 17, he decided to say yes to the Lord, encouraged by the close witness of his parish priest. "The Lord called me in the most ordinary of times: as a young man who wanted to do something with his life."he says. And so, Leonardo decided to take this beautiful adventure that captivates him more and more every day.
It now resides in the Bidasoa international seminarHe is a student of the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarra. He was sent by his bishop, Mons. José Manuel Romero Barrios, to serve the young diocese of El Tigre, which has just turned seven years old.
"As my bishop says, we are sowing what others will reap. There is a great need for priests and it is fundamental that we are well trained, not for us, but for the people, who have the right to good pastors."
In Venezuela, where shortages and social tensions have marked generations, Leonardo does not see discouragement, but mission. "It is a great opportunity to console a humble people who suffer. To evangelize today is to be close, to listen, to present to God the wounds of all. And to trust.".
Leonardo recalls that difficulties have always been present in the life of the Church, both in Venezuela and in other countries.. "It is in these difficulties that we can find opportunities to bring the Lord Jesus to all those people who are suffering and thirsting for Him," he says.
This requires a lot of dialogue, respect and, above all, the ability to listen to and accompany people who live in anguish, with difficulties, but also with joy and longing for God. "This is the way to bring about a change in my country, sustaining the faith of all these people and trusting in God's mercy," he says hopefully.
Well-trained priests are needed to promote this change. When we asked Leonardo what a priest should be like in the 21st centuryHe does not hesitate: "He must be someone who listens, who consoles, who does not judge. An instrument of God for forgiveness. A man of prayer, able to see the person face to face, not only from a screen or through social networks. A poor, free, humble witness who trusts in God's plans".
This young seminarian has it clear and this is his commitment: to form himself as a priest who is attentive, respectful, informed of world events, but also capable of deepening his knowledge of the particular context in which he finds himself.
"Let the people who see a priest see someone they can trust and find support in. A priest of our time must be obedient and willing to suffer any calamity to proclaim the Word of God, to bring Jesus to all.", remarks.
In an increasingly secularized world, he does not lose hope and optimism, mainly because he sees every day that many young people feel the call of God.
"To attract young people to the faith requires understanding and closeness, but above all prayer.Because all evangelization strategies would be sterile if we do not trust and place ourselves in God's hands. Christ continues to captivate, but we must know how to present him in a way that speaks to them."he says enthusiastically.
The young Leonardo understands today's youth perfectly, because he himself is part of the so-called Zeta generation. For this reason, he recalls that in order to evangelize young people it is necessary to understand how they think today.
"That is a very complex reality. However, a priest can approach and listen to the concerns of young people, make them see that there are much deeper things and that in God is our happiness."
Leonardo also tells us about the ties between Spain and Venezuela and leaves us a message for reflection: "Europe brought the faith to America, but Europe is losing the faith and America is preserving and sustaining it".
For him, Venezuela and Spain can complement each other in every way: "Spain has welcomed us and we can only offer them the best of ourselves. The human and Christian values of Venezuelans are a glass of fresh water for all of Spain and Europe.The history and tradition of Europe helps to broaden the horizons of all those who come here.
For this reason, he is very happy to be in Spain and to reside in the Bidasoa International Seminary where he has found a home: "It is impressive to see seminarians from so many countries with the same yearning. Here I have made friends, I have prayed, I have studied. It is an environment conducive to growth. You can feel the universal Church.
Leonardo knows that his path is demanding, but he does not hesitate. Because there is a certainty that sustains him: God never stops calling. And he, with serenity and joy, has already answered.
Marta Santín, journalist specializing in religion.
