On Sunday, June 30th, seminarian Luciano Diaz was installed as an acolyte for the Diocese of Gallup by Bishop James S. Wall. Diaz, who is approaching the end of his studies for the priesthood, is originally from Farmington, NM, and is in the final years of his study and preparation for the priesthood.
He spoke with The Voice of the Southwest about his vocation story and how acolytes serve the Catholic Church.
Can you give a background on what an acolyte is?
An acolyte is a helper or server of a priest or a deacon. The Greek akolouthos actually means server, companion, or follower. So a majority of his duties involve helping with the Eucharist.
He could prepare the altar and handle the vessels and help distribute Communion. He could also purify the vessels and help the priest or the deacon there. Another thing, too, is in case of the absence of a priest or deacon, he could do a simple exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
How did it feel to become an acolyte?
It feels sort of unreal. But it feels just blessed, you know, being able to come to this stage of formation and get closer to ordination.
How many years do you have left before ordination?
Two years left.
Wow, getting really close! So how did you discover your vocation?
That’s kind of a longer story. I grew up Catholic, but I hadn’t received my sacraments until around 11-ish, but I always joined my parents for Mass. I remember at one of the Masses, during the elevation of the Body, something just touched my heart at that moment. And I knew that He was calling me. But, you know, later on, I just kind of lived my life and went to school and graduated and started my career. But when I was working – in law enforcement – something in my heart didn’t feel right. So I did a Cursillo retreat in Aztec [NM]. And then I asked God, “what is your will in my life?”
And then at the end of the retreat, they asked, “what are you going to do for the Church?” And God had made it [clear] that what I was doing wasn’t what He wanted me to do.
Everything kind of fell in line. Strangers asked me about priesthood. When I would read something, “priesthood” would pop out of the page. And even in my own prayer, priesthood was being made stronger and stronger.
But it wasn’t until my brother showed me this video of these two priests – I didn’t tell anyone what was going on, so it was kind of a surprise – my brother came up to me with that. And I didn’t know at the [time], but it was Father Josh Mayer, the [Diocese of Gallup] vocations director, and one of his buddies who is a priest up in Denver. They were making this silly video…just asking strangers if they wanted to be seminarians. I was like, you know, are they talking to me?
And so through that video, I got in contact with Father Josh – I didn’t know he was a vocation director for the Diocese of Gallup. We met a couple times and he saw that I was serious about this, pursuing a vocation and being a seminarian. And so he gave me the application for the diocese [to enter] into the seminary and they sent me off to the Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. I did three years there. And then from there, I got sent off to Denver at St. John Vianney Seminary and did my spirituality year. I just completed my two years of theology and am going on to my third year now. It’s just been a blessed journey, a great journey. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve met so many great people and, you know, just increased my faith and my love in Jesus.
Has your family been supportive and excited for you?
Yes, yes, very supportive and excited. They just want the best for me. This vocation is a lot of sacrifice, especially for them, but they’re very supportive and very grateful.
Is there anything else that you would like people to know about you or vocations to the priesthood?
Yeah, we just had a discernment day here at St. Rita’s [in Show Low, AZ] where I’m assigned. We had a couple of young men here and we gave talks about vocations.
I would just say for the young man who has that desire for priesthood, just to keep their heart open to whatever God is calling them to and if it is priesthood, just to pray about it. God will not leave their prayer unanswered and He will guide them. Keep an open heart to what the Lord is calling them to.
If you or someone you know is discerning a call to the priesthood or religious life, feel free to learn more by getting in touch with our vocations director, Fr. Josh Mayer, at [email protected]