{"id":230406,"date":"2026-06-16T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/?p=230406"},"modified":"2026-06-11T16:11:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T14:11:51","slug":"ser-sacerdote-un-paso-historia-de-lacton-lucas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/en\/ser-sacerdote-un-paso-historia-de-lacton-lucas\/","title":{"rendered":"From World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro to Becoming a Priest"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lacton Lucas Carvallo's journey to <a href=\"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/sacerdocio\/que-es-un-sacerdote\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/sacerdocio\/que-es-un-sacerdote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">to be a priest<\/a> It all began at World Youth Day in Brazil, held in Rio de Janeiro, with Pope Francis leading an impressive apostolate that left no one indifferent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lucas belongs to the Diocese of S\u00e3o Sebasti\u00e3o in Rio de Janeiro. He is currently continuing his training at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unav.edu\/web\/facultad-eclesiastica-de-filosofia\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.unav.edu\/web\/facultad-eclesiastica-de-filosofia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Navarre<\/a>, where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Dogmatic Theology thanks to the support of the benefactors, members, and friends of the CARF Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When Lacton reflects on the origins of his calling, his thoughts inevitably turn to an event that forever changed his life: the <strong>World Youth Day held in Rio de Janeiro in 2013, featuring a visit by Pope Francis<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"el-camino-para-ser-sacerdote-empezo-en-la-jmj-de-rio-de-janeiro\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Discerning the path to marriage before becoming a priest <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At that time, he was considering the possibility of marriage and trying to discover what God\u2019s plan was for him. However, during those days, he experienced something that transformed his heart. \u00abDuring those days <strong>I felt God's presence<\/strong> so intense and personal that it really shook me to the core. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00bbIt wasn't a fleeting feeling, but a gentle, persistent certainty that the Lord was looking at me with love and inviting me to something greater than I had ever imagined.\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\ud83d\udc49\ud83c\udffd FROM WORLD YOUTH DAY IN RIO DE JANEIRO TO THE PRIESTHOOD: LACTON LUCAS&#039; JOURNEY \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddf7\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/as3SAnnyVKQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>He entered the seminary four years later<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That experience opened a door that would never close again. The following year <strong>He attended a spiritual retreat in search of clarity about his future.<\/strong> There, through a simple yet profoundly enlightening sermon, he felt that God was confirming that inner calling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>But he didn't feel ready to take the final step.<\/strong> For two years, he continued to discern his vocation alongside his parish priest and the formators at his diocese\u2019s seminary, who supported him with patience, a listening ear, and prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, in 2017, he entered the S\u00e3o Jos\u00e9 Seminary. Over the course of seven years, he received a solid human, spiritual, pastoral, and academic education, which he completed in 2024. \u00ab<strong>Those years were crucial in strengthening my relationship with Christ <\/strong>\u00bband to understand the beauty of the priestly ministry,\" says Lacton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, he looks back on that period with gratitude, and also on the opportunity he now has in Navarre to further his theological studies, so that he may better serve the Church in the future. <strong>\u00abI am deeply grateful for this opportunity to deepen my faith and better prepare myself to serve the Church,\u00bb, <\/strong>he says affectionately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"su-madre-figura-fundamental\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>His mother, a key figure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Faith has been a part of his life since childhood. He was born into a traditionally Catholic family, where religion was a part of everyday life. He particularly recalls the role his mother played, a key figure in his religious upbringing<strong>. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u00abMy mother played a key role in my Christian upbringing:<\/strong> \u00bbShe used to take my sister and me to church services when we were children, making sure we received the sacraments and that faith was part of our daily lives,\" she says with emotion.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, as is the case with so many young people, <strong>His adolescence was also marked by a period of estrangement.<\/strong> He drifted away from sacramental practice and sought to fit in with his friends and experience what the world presented as freedom. \u00abEven so, I never stopped believing; the seed of faith was still alive, though dormant,\u00bb he confesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over time, he realized that <strong>Many of those experiences left me feeling empty inside.<\/strong> Looking back, he believes that his search and a certain rebellious streak helped him better understand human frailty and <strong>the need for a personal encounter with Christ.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is why he is convinced that <strong>The 2013 World Youth Day was a turning point for him and for thousands of young people<\/strong>, because it rekindled \u00abthe flame of God\u2019s love, reminding us that true joy comes from an encounter with the living Christ.\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"brasil-un-pais-profundamente-religioso\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Brazil, a deeply religious country<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To speak of his vocation is also to speak of Brazil, a deeply religious country with a Christian majority, where faith continues to permeate the culture, popular celebrations, and daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His diocese, <strong>San Sebasti\u00e1n de R\u00edo de Janeiro also holds a special place in the history of Brazilian Catholicism<\/strong>: It was there that Latin America\u2019s first cardinal was ordained, and the National Conference of Bishops was established, a decisive milestone for the country\u2019s pastoral organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although Brazil enjoys religious freedom and the Church is able to carry out its mission without restrictions, this young priest acknowledges <strong>that social reality poses enormous challenges.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Misa_Lacton-769x1024.webp\" alt=\"Misa del primer an\u0303o de ordenacio\u0301n en la iglesia de la Purificacio\u0301n de Elcano\" class=\"wp-image-230410\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7509842219306009;width:671px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Misa_Lacton-769x1024.webp 769w, https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Misa_Lacton-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Misa_Lacton-113x150.webp 113w, https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Misa_Lacton-768x1022.webp 768w, https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Misa_Lacton-9x12.webp 9w, https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Misa_Lacton.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u00abWe are facing serious social and economic problems:<\/strong> inequality, unemployment, corruption, a lack of political accountability, and poor public administration. Many people are closing their businesses, others are unemployed, and this directly affects the lives of families as well as <strong>\u00bbthe Church's ability to meet the material needs of the faithful,\" explains Lacton.<\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nevertheless, he emphasizes that the faith of the Brazilian people remains strong and that the Church continues to serve as a moral, spiritual, and social guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>He arrived in Spain two months after his ordination<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lacton Lucas arrived in Spain two months after his ordination, filled with enthusiasm and eager to receive training so he could fully carry out his ministry upon returning to his diocese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Because he is well acquainted with the needs of the local church<\/strong>. Although they have a considerable number of priests, he acknowledges that many more are needed given the large number of faithful and the scope of the pastoral challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00abThe pastoral need is enormous: large communities, neighborhoods with urgent social needs, families in need of support, young people searching for meaning, the elderly in need of comfort...\u00bb.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In light of this reality, <strong>highlights the selfless work of priests and bishops<\/strong> who, through listening, a supportive presence, and numerous charitable initiatives, strive to alleviate the suffering of the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many parishes offer free medical and legal consultations, distribute food to families in need, support vulnerable individuals, and carry out evangelization and educational initiatives. \u00abFor many Brazilians, the <strong>\u00bbThe Church remains a true refuge and a place of hope,\",<\/strong> states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>People have a thirst for the sacred<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another challenge he notes is the growth of numerous Protestant groups and the <strong>the rise of secularism.<\/strong> \u00abYes, the proliferation of protest groups does affect us. This is happening, in part, because we remain a religious country and people have a thirst for the sacred,\u00bb he explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, he warns that some people end up turning away from the Catholic faith due to a lack of solid formation, while certain groups use Sacred Scripture for proselytizing purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Youth evangelization is alive and well<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But his spirits remain high, and he views this reality with hope: \u00abMany young people\u2014in Brazil and in other countries\u2014are inspiring other young people to come to know Christ through retreats, gatherings, worship groups, and community experiences.\u201d. <strong>\u00bbYouth evangelization is alive and well, and that is a sign of hope.\"<\/strong>, he says enthusiastically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, he believes that relations with Protestant communities need not be contentious, as there is a shared search for God and a sincere desire to live out one\u2019s faith. This closeness can also provide an opportunity for many to discover the richness of the Catholic tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because Lacton is clear about this: \u00ab<strong>To evangelize today, especially among young people, it is essential to show the beauty of the faith,<\/strong> \u00bbthe depth of the liturgy, the power of the sacraments, and the joy of a life dedicated to Christ. It is also necessary to make use of digital media, to accompany people on their personal journeys, and to provide spaces for genuine encounter.\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"su-experiencia-en-espana\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Your experience in Spain<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His stay in Spain has allowed him to view the reality of the Church from a different perspective. He is particularly struck by the beautiful processions and the deep devotion to the Virgin Mary that he encounters in many regions. \u00ab<strong>\u00bbSpain boasts an impressive spiritual heritage, the result of centuries of faith.\"<\/strong>, he says admiringly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, he senses <strong>less involvement in church life than is typically found in Brazil.<\/strong> Many people receive the sacraments of Christian initiation and later drift away from religious practice. For this reason, he acknowledges that he has encountered a fairly secularized society, especially in some parish settings where pastoral involvement is limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Porciuncula-Asis-769x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-230408\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7509842219306009;width:650px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Porciuncula-Asis-769x1024.webp 769w, https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Porciuncula-Asis-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Porciuncula-Asis-113x150.webp 113w, https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Porciuncula-Asis-768x1022.webp 768w, https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Porciuncula-Asis-9x12.webp 9w, https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Porciuncula-Asis.webp 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Visit to the Porziuncola in Assisi.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, he hasn\u2019t lost hope here either. \u00abI also see young people seeking God, vibrant communities, and parishes working with creativity and enthusiasm. But I believe we still need a Church that reaches out, as Pope Francis urges us to do.\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>To be a priest is to bring Christ\u2019s presence into one\u2019s life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When he reflects on the priest of the 21st century, his answer stems from his own experience as someone who has just begun his ministry. He is convinced that priests \u00abmust bring the presence of Christ through the witness of their lives\u00bb and be open to everyone and <strong>to be men deeply rooted in prayer<\/strong> \u00abso that the world may see that Christ is the answer to all problems.\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For him, the priest is called to be a bridge:<\/strong> a bridge between God and humanity, between tradition and the modern world, between faith and culture. He must know how to listen, accompany, discern, console, and courageously proclaim the truth of the Gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00abTo evangelize, <strong>It is essential to understand people\u2019s hopes and desires, to comprehend their wounds, their quests, and their fears<\/strong>. \u00bbIt is also necessary to make use of social media, maintain a presence in the digital world, and encourage greater participation by the laity\u2014especially young people, who play an essential role in the Church\u2019s mission,\u201d Lacton concludes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This young priest is convinced that <strong>Christ continues to call, accompany, and transform hearts.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Marta Sant\u00edn<\/strong>journalist specializing in religion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><p>Table of Contents<\/p><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#el-camino-para-ser-sacerdote-empezo-en-la-jmj-de-rio-de-janeiro\">Discerning the path to marriage before becoming a priest <\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#su-madre-figura-fundamental\">His mother, a key figure<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#brasil-un-pais-profundamente-religioso\">Brazil, a deeply religious country<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#su-experiencia-en-espana\">Your experience in Spain<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A summary in five sentences of Pope Francis\u2019s speeches at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, his first pastoral trip.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1.<\/strong> \u00abI\u2019d like to say one thing: what do I hope will come out of World Youth Day? I\u2019m expecting a stir. There\u2019s going to be a stir in here, there really is. There\u2019s going to be a stir here in Rio, there really is. But I want a stir in the dioceses; I want people to go out into the world\u2026 I want the Church to go out into the streets; I want us to defend ourselves against everything that is worldliness, against complacency, against comfort, against clericalism, against being closed in on ourselves.\u00bb (Meeting with Argentine youth).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. <\/strong>\u00abThe future demands that we set about today the task of restoring politics\u2014restoring politics, which is one of the highest forms of charity. The future also demands a humanistic vision of the economy and a political system that increasingly and more effectively involves people, avoids elitism, and eradicates poverty\u00bb (Speech at the Municipal Theater in Rio).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. <\/strong>\u00abEven today, the Lord continues to need young people for his Church. Dear young people, the Lord needs you. Even today, he calls each one of you to follow him in his Church and to be missionaries. Dear young people, the Lord is calling you today. Not just the crowd. You, you, you\u2014each and every one of you. Listen to your hearts to hear what he is saying to you.\u00bb  (Prayer Vigil).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. <\/strong>\u00abThe field, besides being a place for sowing seeds, is also a place for training. Jesus asks us to follow him throughout our lives; he asks us to be his disciples, to \u00abplay on his team.\u00bb Most of you like sports. Here in Brazil, as in other countries, soccer is a national passion. Right? Well, what does a player do when he\u2019s called to be part of a team? He has to train\u2014and train hard. That\u2019s what our life as disciples of the Lord is like.\u00bb (Prayer Vigil).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. <\/strong>\u00abWhere does Jesus send us? There are no borders, no limits: he sends us to everyone. The Gospel is not for a select few but for everyone. It is not just for those who seem closest to us, most receptive, or most welcoming. It is for everyone. Do not be afraid to go and bring Christ to every setting, even to the existential peripheries, and to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent. The Lord seeks everyone; he wants everyone to feel the warmth of his mercy and his love.\u00bb (Sending Mass).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At 33, Brazilian priest Lacton Lucas Carvallo admits that he could not resist the Lord\u2019s call, which began at a World Youth Day (WYD): \u00abHe looked at me with love.\u00bb. <\/p>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":230407,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[109],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-230406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-historias"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=230406"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230406\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":230435,"href":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230406\/revisions\/230435"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/230407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=230406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=230406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundacioncarf.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=230406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}