by Gordon Nary
Gordon: When did you attend UNICA - Posgrados y Educación Continua and what is one of your favorite memories when you were there?
Father Victor: Economics was my first passion, I began my studies at the Catholic University and it was while I was in university that I felt the call to religious life. I started the business economics major in 2007, I have always liked numbers and I excelled in calculus class. For me, economics is very important because it helps to know and understand how the market and finances behave, an important part of our society. Knowing how it works is important to be able to later illuminate our reality with the light of the Gospel. After the first year I remember receiving an award for being one of the best students, a special moment for me and my family.
Gordon: When and did you serve as an Accounting Clerk?
Father Victor: I worked in a family business, it was a very pleasant experience, I made very good friends that still prevail today.
Gordon: Why did you decide to be a Franciscan and what aspects of his life did you most admire?
Father Victor: I was in the middle of my university career and the charismatic renewal group invited me to go on a spiritual retreat, it was on that retreat that I felt the call to commit more to the church and I felt the desire to serve. I served as a lector, catechist and coordinator of the parish youth group. In the end, the desire and call to serve became a vocational call, the first steps were not easy, especially the decision to leave everything and start the discernment process with the Franciscans. I decided to start the discernment process with the Franciscans because the life and testimony of Saint Francis has impacted me. What I love most about this life is fraternity, knowing and feeling the brothers close as a family is important to me. I belong to the Order of Friars Minor Province of the Immaculate Conception of New York. Icprovince.org
Gordon: When did you attend Universidad Rafael Landívar, what degree did you earn, who was your favorite teacher, and why was that teacher your favorite?
Father Victor: The postulancy and novitiate stage were very significant for me, the early years of formation are not easily forgotten, they are full of illusion, enthusiasm and interest in discovering the meaning of the call in my life and the thirst to respond to that call. After the novitiate, which is a year of semi-cloister where prayer, evangelical vows and Franciscan values are deepened, I officially began my religious life. The order sent me to study a degree in Philosophy at Rafael Landivar University, a Jesuit university in Guatemala. My favorite subject was history of philosophy by Dr. Meneghetti, I particularly remember her enthusiasm and passion for teaching. In one of her lessons, the topic of the Hagia Sophia Basilica in Istanbul, one of the most important churches in the East, was touched upon. I promised myself that one day I would go to meet this church (today's mosque) in person, I still haven't had the opportunity, but I'm working on it.
Gordon: When did you attend Pontificia Università Antonianum, what degree did you earn, what was your favorite course, and why was it your favorite?
Father Victor: After a year of mission in Costa Rica, my superiors decided to send me to Rome to continue my formation, obtaining a bachelor's degree in sacred theology. There were four years full of many positive experiences where I could witness the universality of the church and the Franciscan order. I studied with friars and priests from many countries. I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Pope Francis on four occasions during my stay in Rome. My favorite course was canon law, it is important to know the legislation of the church, the duties and rights of the baptized. Knowing that the purpose of the norms is the salvation of souls motivated me a lot to continue that line of study.
Gordon: When did you attend Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, what did you study, what was the most challenging course that you took, and why was it challenging?
Father Victor: When I finished my theology studies, we were in the midst of a pandemic in Rome. Italy was one of the most affected countries and the restriction rules were quite strong. Even though most of the classes were online and there was not much pastoral work because the churches were still closed, I decided to enroll at the Pontifical University of Salamanca in Spain. After almost two years of study I obtained a master's degree in Canon Law. The master's degree has an emphasis on canonical matrimonial causes, which are very important in the church, especially due to the reforms that the Holy See has promulgated in this matter since 2015.
Gordon: Where were some of the places where you have served as a Missionary and what were some of the challenges that you had to address?
Father Victor: The places where I have served as a missionary are: Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. In all theplaces I have had very significant experiences, I remember the mission of Costa Rica a lot, it was a year of great blessing. The friars there have a mission parish, we serve many needy families and visit some communities that are located far from the headquarters with difficult access to the city. Particularly in this year we lived in a very particular situation, many migrants from Africa came to the parish to ask for help and we took care of them for some time providing them with food, a place to sleep and medicine. It was an unforgettable experience. We took care of them for about 6 months with the help of many kind-hearted people.
Gordon: When did you serve as Assistant Pastor in El Salvador?
Father Victor: In El Salvador we have an organization called Ágape, founded by one of our friars more than 40 years ago. In this organization we have many programs to help needy families with food and education programs in almost all the territory of the country. We work together with other organizations and with the direct support of the government. Our province holds the presidency of the organization. I served as assistant to the spiritual director, who is also the president. It was a year full of blessings and solidarity. The organization is imbued with Franciscan spirituality and this makes it very unique in the territory.
Gordon: Where did you serve as Assistant Pastor in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, New York and what did you like most about the parish?
Father Victor: When the pandemic situation improved, my superiors sent me back to the United States. I served for a year in the Diocese of Albany at Saint Anthony's Parish in Troy, NY. I focused on the Hispanic ministry and we were able to organize some activities such as the annual youth retreat. Sometimes I go back to visit the brothers in the community and some friends I left there.
Gordon: Where are you currently serving as Assistant Pastor? Please provide an overview of the parish?
Father Victor: I am currently exercising my ministry in the Diocese of Manchester in New Hampshire. I am the associate pastor of Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish. It's a very active parish full of faith. We have many young people who put a lot of enthusiasm and effort into organizing different activities that help build the community. There are two priests and one brother of us, and we have a very busy schedule, but we feel very happy. The parishioners appreciate us very much and take care of us.
Thank you very much for the invitation to this interview. May the Lord bless you in the ministry of communication that you have. It is very important to bring faith and hope to our society, especially in these times. Finally, I want to invite young people between the ages of 18 and 40 who feel called to be Franciscan friars, priests, or brothers not to be afraid to say yes to the Lord. In the beginning, it was difficult for me to make the decision to begin a discernment process, but now I am very happy serving the Lord in others. Don't be afraid to open your heart and say yes to His project of love. If anyone is interested, you can write to our vocations director. The email is vocations@icprovince.com. Many blessings, Peace, and All good.
Gordon: Thank you for a great and informative interview.