The Marian Factor

By PAUL BINZ

The Valley Catholic

SAN JUAN —  For Deacon Mauricio Rodriguez, the rosary has been an evolutionary path placed before him by the Blessed Mother.

Born Jesús Mauricio Rodríguez Chapa in Matamoros 28 years ago, he has childhood memories of being with his family praying the rosary. At that age, as children often do, he found the rosary’s repetition monotonous, even boring.  But the seed was planted, and an awakening took place during his second year in college at then-University of Texas-Brownsville.

“I feel like my vocational story began when I began praying the rosary every day. I remember distinctly that this happened in May,” he said. “And there it was that everything began to change for me.”

The youngest of three brothers, he moved with his family to Brownsville at the age of 15. He attended Homer Hanna High School, followed by three years of pre-med study at UTB (now UT-RGV).

Deacon Rodriguez recalls the time – eight years ago – and the way his vocation began in earnest. During his second year of college he started to feel the call. Already increasingly involved in Church activities, practicing his faith anew in catechism classes and youth groups, he began to learn more about the word of God. That and his new habit of the daily rosary had an effect.

“I began to feel this inquietud that I didn’t want,” he said. “In truth, I was a bit fearful. I had never really thought about being a priest – this was not for me. But as time went on, the call became stronger and stronger.”

After seeking and getting spiritual direction from a priest for a full year, in 2015 he applied to the diocese and entered formation, which is now in its seventh year.

The new deacon credits Our Lady’s influence as a major factor in his vocation.

“All of this was the intention of the Blessed Virgin – it was she who helped me so much along this road,” he said.

So it is no accident that his ordination would come in May, the month of Mary, or that it would take place at St. Luke Catholic Church in Brownsville.

“That’s my home parish. … That is where I received the call,” he said. “My parents used to live three minutes from there for many years.”

After asking Bishop Daniel E. Flores if it would be possible for him to be ordained at his own parish, he said Bishop Flores responded, “You know what? I like the idea of ordaining you in St. Luke’s.”

He said Bishop Flores noted that the St. Luke sanctuary may have even more seating than the cathedral.

The week of his ordination, Deacon Rodriguez talked briefly about his favorite pastimes.

“I really like just to hang out with my friends, talking with people, meeting new people. Going out to eat, or even just a having a good conversation; going to the movies sometimes; read a book.”

He also spoke of his favorite saints

St. Thérèse of Lisieux: “Since I was a kid, even before I was conscious about living the faith, she helped me to change, to really seek sanctification in the little things of the day.”

San Josemaría Escrivá: “How to help sanctify the ordinary things in our lives, in our daily duties, how to change and to make them holy.”

St. Pio of Pietrelcina: “Padre Pio, his devotion to Our Lady, how he prayed the rosary, how he helped many souls in the confessional as a priest. Even though … he was grumpy sometimes, he helped many people. That made me reflect on how God uses and perfects human beings and changes them to become saints and help many others to become like Christ.”

For other young men who are experiencing the inquietud of the call of a budding vocation, Deacon Rodriguez has some advice: “Entrust yourself to Mary.”

“I have this to say: Don’t be afraid. Giving your life to Our Lady is worth it,” he said. “These have been the best years of my life in seminary.   

“Talk to your parish priest if you have any doubts. And the fact that you go to seminary doesn’t mean that you will become a priest. It’s a time for discernment. So the seminary helps you, the Church helps you to discern your vocation. It’s a beautiful time to learn about who you are, who God is, and how he is forming you in your life.

“Pray the rosary every day. That will really help you in your spiritual life. Consecrate yourself to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She helps you a lot in avoiding sin, in helping you to become more like Christ, in changing your heart towards her Son’s heart.”

He not only retains the habit of a daily rosary, but has now augmented the practice.

“Interestingly, during my seminary formation, not very long ago, I started praying every day the full rosary – the 20 mysteries, every day. And even though it sounds like a lot, it’s so worth it, because Our Lady really helps you … She helps you a lot to love Jesus more, to be a more faithful disciple of Jesus, to have that zeal for souls, and to help his Church for the salvation of souls.”

Armed with new abilities and powers, he anticipates his final year of formation.

“I’m looking forward to doing ministry as a deacon, hopefully, God willing, being able to baptize, to preach at Mass, … to help at funerals and accompany the families; to learn how to celebrate the sacrament of matrimony, to bless houses, different places, if they ask me; and to learn more and grow more in prayer and love toward the Lord to be ready for next year while waiting for the priesthood.”

“Pray a lot for me! I’m very excited and looking forward to it. But I need your prayers. I think all the seminarians, all the priests, deacons – we need your prayers … to do the will of God in our lives.”