Fr. Raymundo Gómez L.C.

One morning in April of 1988, I decided to go to school dressed in an original way to impress my friends. I was in 6th grade. When I came across the school courtyard in my brown pants and brown sweater, with black shoes and my hair combed back with plenty of gel, one of my friends saw me and called out, “Hey, the monk is here!” I didn’t know what to say. I froze – and then took off the sweater to avoid more joking comments. But the voices of my other friends were soon heard: “Now he is the little priest!” This was the first time that the idea of becoming a missionary priest entered my mind.

The next day, a Franciscan priest came to our school to talk about the missions, the Pope, and the missionaries. I was very impressed. The next week, a Legionary of Christ named Father Leopoldo Cuchillo came to my class to give us a talk, which I liked. Both lifestyles attracted me, but I stayed more in touch with Father Leopoldo. That was how I entered the Legionary apostolic school of Ajusco in Mexico City.

A Taxi Driver, a Teacher, or a Doctor
I was born in a Catholic family in the city of Querétaro on April 12, 1977. When I was a boy, I wanted to be a boxer, since a friend who was a boxer would invite us sometimes to see him fight. Another of my dreams was to be a taxi driver, a teacher, or a doctor, because I always wanted to do good and help others. Later on, God showed me the way and now I drive the highways to go to various youth clubs in the north of Mexico City, teaching the way of God to the souls that the Lord puts on my path, and serving as a doctor for souls who need God.

I remember that my parents always gave us an example of hard work, affectionate love, and piety. We prayed every day when we got up and before we ate, and we went to Mass on Sundays. We gave alms and they taught us to thank God for the gift of health when we saw a sick person.

We looked forward to weekends with special enthusiasm, since they meant a new party in the house of a friend, relative, or acquaintance. What I liked most were the family reunions when I could play with my cousins. We went out in the streets dressed up like boxers and invented new pranks.

There was one event that marked my life very much, and it was my first communion. I received it from the hands of a Franciscan priest, and it ignited in my heart the desire to follow Christ.

Stages in Legionary Life
In my third year at the Legionary apostolic school of Ajusco, a group of us new seminarians moved to the apostolic school of Moncada (Spain). My horizons were opening up and my dream was becoming a reality. In my heart, I still didn’t have the certainty of wanting to be a priest. I just felt happy getting to know new friends, studying in an atmosphere of healthy joy and companionship, and I didn’t think too much about the idea of becoming a priest. But this step to Spain pulled the carpet out from under me, as they say, and made me think a lot more seriously about following Christ in the priesthood.

One of the best days of my life was when I received the Legionary cassock. I looked in the mirror and thought I was dreaming; I was just so happy. I felt very unworthy because of my littleness, but Christ’s words to St. Paul echoed in my interior: “My grace is sufficient for you.” Two years later I made my temporary religious vows, an important step in my life as a Legionary.

I was in Rome for two years, and during that time I had the joy of greeting Pope John Paul II twice. It was the best, because I had never imagined I would get to do that. Without a doubt, it was a great gift from God.

Forming a Priestly Heart
Another period that helped me to mature in my decision and strengthen my vocation were my years of apostolic internships, where I was able to form a priestly heart and see the world’s great need for Christ. It was the best preparation for me to make my total decision to follow Christ in spite of the difficulties that would crop up later.

God put many souls on my path to whom I am extremely grateful for their witness of self-giving to God, and above all for their support, encouragement, and prayer. I feel them as part of my life, since in one way or another, God has linked them to my priesthood and has used them as valuable guides in my vocation.

In my return to Rome, I was motivated by my desire and enthusiasm for preparing my heart for my priestly ordination. The study of theology and the atmosphere of charity and maturity in my community helped me to see every day, every hour, every minute as a great opportunity to prepare myself to climb the steps of the altar.

I thank God for the gift of life, for the gift of my family, for my two Legionary brothers, and for my priestly vocation. I know that God is the one who guided my steps, in spite of my being a poor and sinful man. A priest is another Christ, and that is why I am asking God to grant me the grace to reflect with my life, my words, and my works the love of God. May he grant me the grace to persevere in his service until the last day of my life.

Father Raymundo Gómez was born in the city of Querétaro, Mexico, on April 12, 1977. Two of his brothers are Legionaries of Christ. He entered the Legion of Christ on July 21, 1988. In September of 1992 he was moved to Salamanca to start his novitiate, where he also did his studies in humanities. He studied philosophy and theology in the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum in Rome. He worked for two and a half years as a spiritual guide in the Cumbres Bosques School in Mexico City, and worked two years in youth work and vocational work. He is currently working in youth clubs in Monterrey, Mexico.