The diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, Office of Vocations and St. Leo the Great Church organized the annual Hispanic Vocations Fair April 30 at St. Leo in Fairfax. Mass was celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge prior to the fair. After Mass, Father Juan A. Puigbó, pastor of St. Leo, invited attendees to the school gym.
Different religious orders hosted tables set up around the gym with displays of information about their vocations and encouraged people to talk to them. The parents of Father Guillermo González, parochial vicar of All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas, shared their testimony on having a son called to the priesthood. Father González and a Dominican sister also shared testimonies. The fair drew many young adults and children, and all enjoyed sandwiches and other food.
“It was edifying to witness so much joy: young people unafraid to talk with sisters and priests about their vocational desires, parents striving for holiness in their families, and the whole parish community coming together to pray, share a meal and experience God working among them,” said Father Michael Isenberg, diocesan vocations director.
“It is very important that our children meet and talk with people who have consecrated their lives for God because each young person should seriously consider this possibility of a vocation. Today more than ever, we need more bilingual priests in the USA,” said Joel de Loera, director of the diocesan Hispanic ministry.
