"We thank you Lord"
in the parish of 'Immaculate Conception of Mary, I celebrated my first anniversary of the priestly life. Nine months after the order came to this parish of Bassano In Teverina (VT), to work as parish administrator and thus offer the first fruits of my priesthood.
A year ago, 'the Parish Nuestra Señora del Carmen " Lima - Peru, the laying on of hands and prayer of consecration by Archbishop Adriano Tomasi OFM, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lima, in the presence of my religious family, children and Daughters of St. Anne, my parents and brothers, my friends and many others, was incorporated in the Order of Priests. Since then, I have exercised my priesthood, every day, in the altar of the Eucharist, in the confession and now in charge of this parish.
I celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving premiums, at 16, in the chapel of the cemetery in this country because we are celebrating the octave of the dead. Concelebrated with me, my brother P. Alejandro Caballero, FSA and many members of the parish community.
This is my first experience in charge of a parish, and just for this, I find myself faced with many difficulties, starting with the 'language, their culture, their own habits of the Italians, however, despite this, I found the warmth of the people who greet me with much love and understand me (especially with my poor Italian again). My community, P. Leandro and P. Alejandro, who have more pastoral experience, give me security and confidence, and also are always willing to help me in everything I need, and together they try to live my priesthood in everyday life, in faith and trying to be a faithful instrument of grace and love of God
Thank you, Father, for the great gift of the priesthood, that your Son Jesus Christ, without regard to my part, I was participating, please give me always strength to be able to respond with loyalty and perseverance every day of my life.
P. Martin Villanueva, fsa.
P. Martin Villanueva, fsa.