Deaconate Ordination- Friar Milton de Jesus
January 14th was a special day for Friar Milton de Jesús y Santa María de Guadalupe from the Provincial Custody of Our Lady of Coromoto in Venezuela. Friar Milton was ordained a deacon by Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv. in Ellicott City, MD.
Friar Milton share the following about his discernment journey:
The following of Jesus in Religious life, for me, began when I was very young, when during catechesis, for my first Holy Communion, the great call which is given to all became clear to me: Follow Him with love. Nevertheless, although I was only 7 or 8 years old my friendship with the Lord was strong.
During my teenage years, I was afraid to take the first steps toward firming up a call to complete service of the Gospel, and I began to hide those urgings inside of me to give a YES. I tried to quell the feeling with studies or other activities that distract us or make us forget that which is on the horizon.
Then, while in College, the desires for following the Lord were even stronger, so therefore, with a bit of fear, I firmly decided to say YES and anchor my boat in the Sea of the Gospel. I finished my college studies and entered the seminary.
The years of formation for Religious life and Franciscan life have been many. There are experiences which make me love this mystery of love more each day, they are the gifts of service, joy and fraternity, which are the essential elements which I use daily to proclaim the Gospel. Recently, I was ordained a Deacon and it seems that it was just yesterday that I came to know this great love, and I continue to follow lovingly with all my strength. I believe that one of the secrets to loving this vocation with all ones strength is the ability to have nan openness to listen to God’s will and openness which allows Him to love you always.
