Deacon Mauricio Tovar

Assumption Seminary

My name is Mauricio Tovar Quintanilla and I am originally from Santa Cruz de Juventino Rosas, Guanajuato, Mexico, where I lived most of my life until coming to the United States at the age of 17. Currently I am a citizen of the United States and live in Rogers, NE. I just graduated from Conception Seminary College in December 2015.

I belong to Divine Mercy Parish in Schuyler, Nebraska, where I will be doing a pastoral year. This parish is very active because they have two beautiful churches: St. Augustine and St. Mary that make a community united in faith. Apart from being a member of the parish, I also served as secretary of the Hispanic ministry. In a city where over 60% of people are Hispanic, there is a great need for evangelization.

My call to the priesthood began when I was 15. God has been preparing me to say “Yes” to do His will and not mine. The last two years I have spent in discernment and pastoral work in the parish of Divine Mercy. Every day I thank God for this wonderful opportunity to put into practice and action His Holy Gospel, and for showing me the right and clear way of my vocation.

My expectations for my seminary in Conception, MO, are to grow and persevere in personal and community prayer, prepare academically and fall in love more each day with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In my spare time I enjoy reading and watching movies about the Super Saints of our Catholic Church, playing guitar, spending time with my friends and talking to my parents and siblings who live in Mexico.

Dear men of God, if our Lord Jesus is calling you to discern the priesthood, you just have to say “Yes” and open the door of your heart for His greater glory. Seek the help and guidance of your pastor and always know that you can talk to the vocation director of our archdiocese.