When the time came to declare his major, aspiring priest
Leopoldo M. Vives – then an 18-year-old college student at
the Pontifical University of Comillas in Madrid, Spain –
didn’t go for theology or philosophy. Instead Father Vives,
now pastor of Queen of Apostles Church in Alexandria since
June 2013, spent six years studying electrical engineering.
“I peacefully accepted that I was not mature enough for the
seminary (at that age),” said Father Vives. “High school had
not been very demanding for me. University was harder,
allowing me to grow, become stronger, experience meaningful
relationships and enrich my humanity.”
When Father Vives wasn’t studying, he met up with the campus
Jesuit youth group to help maintain his spiritual life. He
says that he never abandoned his vocation, yet continued
challenging himself in his engineering studies. He served as
a teaching assistant and adjunct professor at the
university’s School of Technical Industrial Engineering, and,
for his capstone project, designed a computer-assisted method
of controlling factory production.
While such a task may have little to do with his current
endeavors, Father Vives said that studying engineering gave
him the tools he needed to solve problems. That included the
question of where to enroll in seminary once he graduated.
Anguishing over the matter, he alternated between meditating
and logically weighing the pros and cons of his various
choices.
“Prayer and spiritual direction is not enough,” said Father
Vives. “In the end, you make the decision.”
In the end, he decided to complete his religious formation at
the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, a new
religious community approved by the bishop of Cuenca, Spain,
in 1987. Strongly influenced by the teachings of St. John
Paul II, the Disciples prioritize family, stewardship and
general excellence in all pursuits. Religious life appealed
to Father Vives because of the “possibility of going deeper
… the love of God … (and) the friendship of Jesus” and
the “sense of fraternity.”
According to Father Vives, growing up religious and studying
engineering before entering the priesthood allows him to
understand and argue both sides of a discussion. Rather than
focusing on differences, he focuses on the similarities
between faith and science, which he believes can and should
coexist.
Ordained in 1992, Father Vives took his perpetual vows with
the Disciples in 1995, the same year he earned an advanced
degree in sacred theology. Thus began his period as an
assistant professor and later full professor of systematic
theology of marriage and family. He taught at various
schools, from the Mater Dei Seminary in Castellón,
Spain, to the Catholic University of St. Vicente Martyr in
Valencia, Spain.
In 2012, he moved to Littleton, Colo., as part of the
Disciples’ plan to establish a presence in the New World.
There, he served as a parochial vicar at a mostly white,
American-born, English-speaking parish. Experiencing the
culture shock of being a Spaniard in Middle America, he joked
to himself that “everything is different except the sins.”
One of the main differences he noted was how much more
prominent the devotion to the Virgin Mary is in Spain. He
also cited the differences in relationships with parishes.
“Americans hold their parishes very dear. In Spain, you go
(to Mass) wherever is convenient,” said Father Vives. “How
much money Americans give to parishes is touching and
incredible.”
He also pointed out that American parishes tend to be more
sociable and involved in the community through ministry.
“In ministries, you open up room for others to join,” he
said. “Letting others join the group is a beautiful way to
grow.”
During his time in Littleton, Father Vives appreciated the
natural landscape, marveling at the dramatic sunrise and
sunset in the Rocky Mountain area. But when the opportunity
to shepherd a flock in Northern Virginia arose, he knew that
he had to accept it.
“It was a big change going from parochial vicar to pastor,”
said Father Vives. “And it’s been beautiful (at Queen of
Apostles). One of my priorities is to help parishioners
understand that I’m not just a priest, I’m a religious
priest. People appreciate and support the community.”
He added that among the sacrifices the Disciples make is
taking a vow of poverty. At Queen of Apostles, that means
that the priests share, among other things, a car. But that
sacrifice is not a huge one, considering the reward: the
chance, once again, to grow.
“Real poverty is the poverty of education and humanity,” he
said.
His time in the United States has helped him further his
education and humanity.
“Many people come to America looking for something better, to
broaden their horizons and think bigger,” said Father Vives.
“I’m one of them. That is why I am here.”
Find out more
To learn more about the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and
Mary, go to dcjm.org.
Stoddard can be reached at [email protected].
