The P. Sebastián Rodríguez, is a Legionary of Christ deacon who will be ordained a priest next December. On September 25th, during the Jubilee of Catechists as part of the Year of Mercy, he had the opportunity to assist at Mass with Pope Francis.
P. Sebastián has an email distribution list where every ten days he sends a summary of the latest speeches and words of the Pope. Currently, about 1,500 people receive the summary.
Recently, he shared his testimony with the news portal regnumchristichile.cl:
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On Sunday, September 25th, for the Jubilee of Catechists, I was chosen to diaconate the Holy Father. How did this happen? After my diaconal ordination, a friend told me that, since I was going to stay to live in Rome, I should send an email to the Vatican offering myself as a deacon for any Mass with the Pope.
I sent the email requesting to diaconate the Mass of Blessed José Luis Sánchez del Río, Patron of the ECYD, but they responded that everything was already arranged for that Mass over 5 months ago.
I then replied that I was available for any other Mass before my priestly ordination, which will be on December 10th.
Within a month, I was surprised to receive another email indicating that the Holy Father was inviting me to diaconate for the Jubilee of Catechists, on September 25th.
They scheduled us for a rehearsal on the 24th, and I saw there were three other deacons—two of whom were chosen as assisting deacons (they accompany the Pope during the entire Mass)—and I was chosen—along with an Augustinian—to be a deacon of the altar (helping the Pope during the offertory).
On Sunday, we were called a little earlier for a preliminary rehearsal. Then we entered the altar where the Pope vestes.
When the Pope entered, he greeted each one very quickly. When he reached me, I thanked him for all the speeches he makes and told him that I read all of them and that every ten days I share a selection of them with more than 1500 people.
Then, half joking, I asked for permission to continue serving. He laughed and told me to keep it up. I then mentioned that in December, about 36 Legionaries of Christ will be ordained priests, to which he said: “Be good, be good.”
I only had about 20 to 30 seconds to speak with him, and I am very grateful to God for the opportunity.
Then the Eucharistic celebration began. I entered accompanying the evangelistary and we went to our places to start the Holy Mass. During the offertory, I was able to assist very closely to the Pope, first bringing the chalice he would use to the altar, and then preparing the chalice with wine and water for him.
In short, the feeling of being so close to the representative of Christ on earth is very special; I have much to thank God for.
Additionally, because of the speeches, I have developed a special affection for him, and it gave me great joy to serve him, knowing how much he does for me and for the Church.
Undoubtedly, it was a great gift from God and a renewal to love God more, the Church, the needy, and to seek holiness, which is what we are all called to.
