Mauricio Pineda, from El Salvador, will become the first Hispanic immigrant for the Arlington Diocese to enter the seminary.

Pineda, 24, will begin his road to the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary starting Aug. 21.

"I feel a great responsibility to our community and honored to have been chosen by God," said Pineda, who arrived in the area five years ago.

Upon arriving, he immediately became involved in youth leadership programs coordinated by the diocesan Office of Youth Ministry inside the Spanish Apostolate.

Pineda was very active in parishes like Christ the Redeemer in Sterling, Our Lady of Angels in Woodbridge, Holy Family in Dale City and the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, his current parish.

Pineda was raised as an Adventist, and one of his dreams was to be a Christian minister.

"But everything changed seven years ago when I attended a retreat with the charismatic renovation group. Then I realized that being a priest from the Catholic faith was my true calling," said Pineda after a recent Spanish Sunday Mass at the Cathedral.

The future seminarian said that he always envisioned himself in a profession that would have an impact on people.

Regarding the eight-year study period before he becomes a priest, Pineda said, "It’s a long journey, but I have all my life to serve God and his people."

Recently, the Hispanic community organized a fund-raising event to help Pineda pay the expense of his seminary studies. In a single day, the community raised a little over $3,000.

During his first four years as a seminarian the diocese will pay half of his education and related expenses. Pineda expressed gratitude to Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde; Father Brian G. Bashista, director for vocations; Sr. Eloina Alvarez, Poor Sister of St. Joseph; and Antonio Pérez-Alcalá, his spiritual guide since 2000.

"I feel emotionally overwhelmed," said Pineda after he visited the Philadelphia seminary for the first time.

"It’s beautiful. It has a magnificent library," he said.