DOES GOD EXIST?

St. Jerome

St. Jerome was a strong, outspoken man. He had the virtues and the unpleasant fruits of being a fearless critic and all the usual moral problems of a man. He was, as someone has said, no admirer of moderation whether in virtue or against evil. He was swift to anger, but also swift to feel remorse, even more severe on his own shortcomings than on those of others. A pope is said to have remarked, on seeing a picture of Jerome striking his breast with a stone, "You do well to carry that stone, for without it the Church would never have canonized you" (Butler's Lives of the Saints).

ABOUT MYSELF

My name is Gustavo Ramirez. I am a Salesian of Don Bosco, Growing up Catholic, my mom always made sure that I attended mass every Sunday and she also encouraged me to pray the rosary. As a child I would often lector and serve at mass and sometimes my neighbors would tell me that I would make a good priest. After high school I attended a vocation retreat. I began working in a Youth Group and God’s call became more evident. Through prayer and discernment, I decided to enter the seminary. I entered a diocesan seminary in California. During a recess from the Seminary I met a Salesian priest from Spain Fr. Luis. After talking to him a little bit about my vocation story at a church gathering, he told me “You will make a good Salesian” and encouraged me to meet and to begin to explore the Salesians.

I read Don Bosco’s biography, his dreams, and his strong devotion to Mary Help of Christians, and also researched the type of work that the Salesians do. From all of my reading and reflecting I began to fall in love with Don Bosco and the mission that was entrusted to him and his Salesians. Now I am a novice for the Western Province. Taking the next step and following God’s call wasn’t easy. However, through prayer God calls me to continue on and to serve Him with all my heart. Don Bosco asked of those who came to him. He said, “If you didn’t come to Don Bosco to become Saints, go elsewhere.” I do want to become a Saint and, I want to be a Son of Don Bosco. I have put myself in God’s hands. I am aware of the reality of young people in the world and in our society, and I know that I can bring Christ to some of them. I pray to God, to Don Bosco and to Mary Help of Christians that during my time of formation they guide my steps that I may become a good Salesian.