Seminarians go on Advent mission

ORLANDO | To develop a missionary heart, seminarians from various dioceses went on an Advent mission to the mountains of the Dominican Republic Dec. 10-17.

This is the second time seminarians from St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach traveled there.

“I think it’s important for priests to have a missionary spirit, a missionary heart, and to understand how to be close to the people, even when you don’t speak their language,” said Father Dominic Buckley, St. Vincent de Paul teacher and Diocese of Orlando priest. “Your closeness allows God’s spirit to bring a greater communion of faith and joy. The Holy Spirit provides even when you don’t speak the same language.

“It showed the men that to be good priests, you don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have money. You don’t have to have the institutions and the parish structures,” he continued. “You just have to be present to the people and you have to give yourself to God and to the people.”

While there, the seminarians lived in the mission house and shared meals together. They joined in the fields for the coffee harvest with locals and visited all the schools to celebrate Mass. They even prayed at the cemetery.

Diocese of Orlando seminarian Joshua Theisen, right, Father José López, left – seminarian formator, and Diocese of St. Augustine seminarian Loc Hunyh accompanied coffee bean farmers and worked with them in their “conuco” or “field”. (COURTESY)

“We wanted to show the seminarians how the priest has to be a part of all the ages and stages of life from womb to tomb,” Father Buckley said.

The team hit the road and celebrated Mass in seven villages and on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Two accompanying priests offered penance services and Eucharistic Adoration. In one village, the seminarians shared a skit called “The Good Carpenter,” where each of them played a different carpentry tool.

“It was about showing the diversity of gifts and getting along,” Father Buckley said. “Jesus is the good carpenter. When we put ourselves in His hands, He can put us all together and make the Kingdom of God.”

Seminarian Joshua Theisen from St. Matthew Parish in Winter Haven said the villagers welcomed them graciously, despite the language barrier.

Father Dominic Buckley and Father José López of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary lead Eucharistic Adoration in the mountain town of La Cucarita, Dominican Republic. (COURTESY)

“This was a new experience. My biggest takeaway is the idea that you need to put yourself out there and offer yourself to the Lord. Engage with people even if you don’t speak the same language,” Theisen said. “Grace can overcome your deficiencies.”

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, December 18, 2024