Spain totally quarantined, but everyone took a minute at the same time to clap from their windows for doctors, nurses, and all those who work in hospitals saving lives and risking theirs.
The news I feared is here. I have a big cancerous tumor. They don’t know if they can operate or even shrink. So I guess my next appointment will determine what my future is. I am at peace and at the same time scared. I pray for all who hear the cancer news for first time. Not fun
It is official. I have a CURABLE lymphoma and the journey is about to begin. It’ll be difficult but I am going to fight. I can’t thank you enough for the prayers in the past and the ones to come. As always, I offer everything (I have a list.I can’t believe I will lose my hair 😄)
1:30 am call. Another person dying alone. I go prepared to be alone with someone dying alone. I start to pray and then 2 doctors and 7 nurses surround the bed. I stop &one says, “we didn’t want you to be alone so we came to pray with you.” 😭most emotional sick call I have done.
I usually don’t ask for prayers for me but I am having all a lot of health issues and I am a little scared/nervous waiting for some results and in pain that I can’t manage. Please, in your mercy, storm heaven that I have the strength to endure this and healing. I need a miracle.
Biopsy in 12 hours. I would appreciate your prayers one more time. Please don’t forget about me. I need those prayers more than ever.
#stillscared
#StillHopeful
Me getting my tea
CUSTOMER: “Are you a Catholic priest?”
ME: “Yes.”
C: “I’m supposed to go to confession with you.
ME:😲
C: “I was nervous & I told God if He wanted me to go, He would send me a priest.”
ME:😃 “here I am. Don’t be nervous.”
I love being a priest in the world.
(THREAD) 1. MEET Estela and Nicolas. Today they got married. For anyone else this would be just a picture of a normal wedding day, but for these two, there is much more than meets the eye. For them, this is a story of the triumph of love and hope.
Driving back from a sick call, someone walking started calling me moving her arms,
-“Are you a catholic priest?”
ME: “Yes. Are you ok?”
-“Please please come to my house. My mom is dying & I can’t believe I saw a priest driving by.”
ME: “Let’s go.”
I. LOVE. BEING. A. PRIEST.
At target I saw a woman on the floor crying. I asked her if she was ok. When she saw I am a priest, she said,
“God has abandoned me.”
I told her,
“God loves you.” And I just sat with her for a long silent 10 mins.
I have an appt with her tomorrow. Prayers please
The hospital I go to is a trauma 1. I see people who are dying, alone, in pain, young and old. Today, I had to hold the hand of a young man. When I told him he was not alone because I was there, he cried as he squeezed my hand.
Pray for people who are alone in hospitals
Thanks to the police officers who escorted me to the hospital and to the guy who let me have his parking spot.
It was those 40 extra seconds that allowed me to anoint someone who died 5 seconds after I finished the prayers.
Praying for all you priests that you make it in time.
Still here. Still waiting for things to happen.
Please please don’t forget about me. Don’t forget to pray every day. I am still waiting for that tiny miracle.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
This is Fran. We met in 2005. She said to me, “you’ll be a priest” I said, “me? No.” She prayed for me since. Before my ordination she got very sick, but she made it. My first blessing was for her. She died soon after. Later I received her card that said, “I always knew.”
#Fran
❤️
Things are going well. Beating this thing is amazing. The peace and strength I had through it all IS BECAUSE OF YOUR PRAYERS!! Thank you all so much 🙏🙏🙏
Social media has amazing moments.
Offering all as always!
#CancerTreatment
#CancerAwareness
#CancerCare
During confessions, every time someone went out, I heard a girl clapping.
At the end, her mom came to apologize, “I’m so sorry. I explained to my daughter that confession makes us friends with God again, and she just wanted to cheer for everyone.”
We need her in every parish!!!
Port is in. Bone marrow biopsy is no joke.
But I offer all this pain for all of you who suffer, are alone and are about to lose hope. Hang in there. I am praying for you and most like others will join me.
Suffering has such an amazing value!
I left a message for a parishioner, “this is fr. Goyo. I know you needed to talk. I’m here.”
2min later a call back,
“I wanted to talk to a priest for a long time but I was nervous. How did you know?”
I didn’t know.
I dialed a wrong number.
Thanking God for using my clumsiness
Another sad sick call. I drove to a hospital (far). The nurse told me he was alone. Family didn’t want anything with him, so I guess I became his family at the end of his life.
There are so many who die alone. Please pray for them especially during the loneliness of Christmas.
Last night I went to the hospital at 11:32 pm for an emergency. By mistake, I go to the wrong room. Patient is dying. Confession, anointing, communion and then she passed away 2 hours later. Best mistake I have ever made. THANK YOU GOD FOR USING MY MISTAKES.
13. So, MEET Estela and Nicolas. Today they experienced the love that conquers the hopeless heart, sadness & suffering. The love that brings tears of joy, in health and illness, till death breaks the earthly bond. My dear friends, I love being part of your witness. God LOVES you.
Due to a COVID exposure, I had to celebrate Mass in our private chapel. There were some kids playing basketball & women talking on the street. When they saw me through windows, during consecration, they all stopped & kneeled on the street.
The power of His presence
#Eucharist
A great priest and a friend who helped me during my first years of priesthood, passed away today. He collapsed while celebrating Mass. He was very young and full of energy. Please pray for his soul and the parish he leaves behind in mourning.
Rest In Peace Fr. Adrian.
I usually don’t like asking for prayers for myself, but I need to get a rather painful procedure and I feel nervous and a bit scared, so prayers are welcome please.
By the way, it is ok to be scared even when we have faith (I don’t like pain that much 😢).
Thank you in advance.
After Mass I stopped to say hello to some ladies. They asked me how I was doing and I said I am getting so old, everything hurts. They laughed and one said, “oh please, I AM so old that my friends in heaven are starting to think I didn’t make it.”
That’s all I needed today 😂
As I was celebrating Mass, during the consecration, I had the strongest feeling that a priest friend of mine was dying. So I offered the Mass for him. When I finished, I had a message that he did indeed die. I felt a shiver in my soul, but I am glad I could be “there with” him 🙏
I went to a sick call. When I got there the woman said she always wanted a son priest & asked if she could call me SON. I said “I am your son.” Then after anointing, with a smile, she died in my arms, just like my mother did.
Thank You God for this gift. I am never an orphan!
When I was 5 I wanted to run from home (I don’t remember why).My mother helped me pack (I don’t know why). The first thing she gave me was a rosary. I told her I didn’t know how to pray. She then taught me and after the 2nd decade I decided to stay.
I still have that OLD rosary.
At Mass, just before communion, this kid ran from his mom and asked me if he could help. I said of course. I asked him to be my watchman while I give communion and he did the job perfectly.
#FuturePriest
???
A friend who doesn’t believe in God, came to see me. His wife is dying. He was hopeless & devastated. He asked me to pray. For a sec I wanted to tell him about God, but all I could do was hold him and pray while he cried.
It wasn’t time to talk about God.
It was time to show him
DAY 3,
After Mass, I walked around the streets praying the rosary for neighbors and parishioners (like I used to do with my dad when I was little). A woman smiled from her window and shows me her rosary too. It feels amazing to be united in prayer. We aren’t alone. Be not afraid
After Mass a mom came to sacristy with her 5yro daughter.
Mom: “Ask Father.”
5yr: “is it true Mary is the Queen of the world?”
ME: “Yes”
5:“And (looking at her mom with a smile) she is my mom too?”
ME: “OH YES”
5: *jumping* “then it is true. I am a princess.”
#QueenshipofMary
When my dad was dying, I saw my mother running to the hospital chapel many times.
I thought she was praying for a miracle, but she said to me,
“I am not asking for anything. Whenever I feel weak or about to lose hope, I come to the source of my strength.”
A way of praying
Another act of love for humanity.
Belgian woman, Suzanne Hoylaerts aged 90, dies of
#Covid_19
after refusing a respirator, telling her doctors "Save it for the youngest [who need it most], I've already had a beautiful life."
I once met a community of nuns. They were all disabled in some way. I told mother superior, “I am so sorry.” She said, “oh no. The blind helps the deaf. The deaf helps the one who can’t walk. Our disabilities are our gifts that remind us that we need each other.”
#HolyGoals
Holy Week in Spain is something out of this world. Processions run for hours through the streets of cities calling tons of people. Here is Sevilla and Málaga.
A person knocking on my hospital door,
“Hi. We heard you are a priest. I was hoping I could go to confession.”
“Of course. Come in... wait what do you mean WE?”
“Oh yeah. There are more people outside waiting.”
Another person picking in
“Hey father.”
#DivineMercy
at its best
I am by myself today (I am on call for hospital) and I realized that for many people, this is not the most wonderful time of the year, so if you are alone, fighting depression, with sadness, here I am praying for you.
Have hope.
You are not alone.
#ChristWithYou
A friend calls 2 minutes before Mass. I answered by mistake and put phone in my packet (which I usually don’t do). He listened to the whole Mass. Now he wants to come back to the Church. Points for God for using technology in a gentle/subtle but effective way.
I have been asked to go to another parish. It was all of a sudden and I am moving in a month. I feel like I am in mourning. So many things I had for this coming year.
Please pray for many priests who will be ordained, but also pray for priests who have to leave their parish 😪
I gave up chocolate for Lent. This morning I saw one in the office & ate it. It was so good until I remembered. I was horrified. I lasted less than 24 hours. I am here to tell you that I already failed but I will try again. If you failed at your penance, try again.
#hope
4 years ago today was the happiest day of my life. I smiled like a kid all the way until I cried like a kid. I missed my parents and family, but my joy was very strong.
Being a priest is my love story.
THANK YOU GOD. I LOVE YOU TOO
#OrdinationAnniversary
When I was 1yo, I was very sick. Doctors didn’t know what to do, so my mother ran to the church and placed me under Mary’s feet and said, “from mother to Mother, please ask Your Son to care for mine.” Sometimes all we can do is just lie at Mama’s feet. She will take care of us.
Me @ Carl’s Jr drive through
Cashier: “oh hi. Are you a real priest?”
ME: “Well, yes of course.”
Cashier: “do you do confessions?”
ME: “among other things.”
Cashier: “I haven’t been in many years and...”
ME: “I am parking right now.”
God’s always ready to forgive
#BeReadytoo
ANXIETY PRAYER
God, please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart. My soul is like a turbulent sea. I can't seem to find my balance so I stumble and worry constantly. Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path you've laid out for me.
I saw my mom taking care of my father for 7 years while he was in bed totally defenseless. She never lost her smile, but I saw her sighing many times. I know she was tired often. I pray today for caregivers. You are invisible, but I see you. I pray for you. Don’t lose hope
My mother was my modern St. Monica. She prayed for me for over a decade. Always with her subtle reminders that God loves me.
Today, I pray for all of you modern St. Monicas who pray for your children. Don’t lose hope.
It worked for my mother.
It worked for me.
#hope
This year nothing says happy Valentine’s Day like taking your date to get your ashes in church and reminding each other that one day you are both going to die.
#AshWednesday
An ex-atheist friend told me his conversion. He was walking in Spain & heard beautiful music coming from a building. He went in & fell on his knees knowing immediately God was real.
The building: a church.
The music: “Tantum Ergo.”
The moment: Benediction.
I Love our faith
Prayer warriors I need you. I’m having doctor’s appt tomorrow Wednesday and I might have to have a painful operation which I don’t want. Yes, I am a coward. I don’t like pain so please pray that either I don’t need the operation or that I am braver.
I offer up whatever happens 🙏
I see so many twitter bullies, rude insulting people more than usual lately, so I will say what my mother used to say, “it takes more strength to be kind. When someone is rude they are not showing their hatred but their weakness.”
Do better
Be better
Be stronger by being kind
At every Mass we have young couples with babies. Many times they make noises & like many priests I know, I thank them for being there and the community for being welcoming helping those families. The babies are not just the future, but also our present. Rejoice in their presence.
My dad had 3 jobs. Taking care of my brother was one.
We were poor. He gave us all
He ate last so we could have more
He pretended not to like chocolate so I could have it
He love dancing with my mom
He never complained
He always had time to play with us
#FathersDay
I have had Crohn’s for 8 years now. It has been a painful ride and I know this will be my forever cross. It is double painful because it is invisible. People don’t see I am sick so they think I am “faking it.”
Let’s be kind to people. We don’t know what they suffer inside.
I anointed a man who literally died at the apostolic blessing. I made it by 5 seconds. Thanks to the Catholic nurse who rushed me in. So, if you know of someone who is very sick or dying, PLEASE DON’T WAIT till the last second. It was a miracle I made it today.
My ordination day (today) was the happiest day of my life, but my family wasn’t there. I felt a little alone so when we were leaving, I saw this nun friend of mine and I ran to hug her. She was my family at that moment.
#OrdinationAnniversary
My birthday is tomorrow Sunday. I will be 40...again😜.
As a bth present please,
-Pray for those for whom nobody prays.
-Forgive someone who wronged you.
-Visit someone who is ill and alone.
-Consider going to confession.
-Go to confession.
-Pray for yourself.
-Pray for me.
For those of us who are a bit on the anxiety & worrying side, here is a prayer.
Lord, help me
Be prepared, but not anxious.
Be aware, but not desperate.
Be vigilant, but not in fear.
Be joyful, but not clueless.
Be faithful, but not careless.
Lord, be my hope and strength.
My mother was ordinary, with no money & many sufferings. She had miscarriages, took care of us & my mentally ill brother. She stayed by my father’s side for 7 years until he died AND she never stopped loving and smiling.
Ordinary can be made
extraordinary everyday.
#BeHolyToday
I once met a community of nuns. They were all disabled in some way. I told mother superior, “I am so sorry.” She said, “oh no. The blind helps the deaf. The deaf helps the one who can’t walk. Our disabilities are our gifts that remind us that we need each other.”
#HolyGoals
#tb
My dad discovered that someone had been taking potatoes from his land. One day, he waited to see. It was a poor man trying to feed his family, then he went up to him (I was excited to see dad catching him) but he helped him pick up the best potatoes.
Dad knew how love in action
My 90yo “roommate” priest doesn’t have much time to live. Today he was cleaning his room. I was trying to help him & he said to me, “kiddo, don’t accumulate too much or you will start desiring the things of this world and not of heaven.”
I live with a saint.
#PerfectLentenMoment
Here we go!!! Operation time!
Lord, give me the strength and the humility to accept whatever happens to me. I offer you my fear, my anxiety, my nerves, and my pain. All I can do now is place myself in your hands and enjoy the ride.
Amen.
Yesterday, as I was getting a tea, a woman approached me & said,
“Excuse me father, I am a mother of a priest & I just wanted to say thank you for your priesthood, and I also wanted to adjust your crooked collar.”
And after she gave me a hug.
What a simple moving moment 😭
I have done all kinds of devastating anointings and sick call visits, but no amount of studies in seminary prepares you to do an emergency baptism for a dying 6month old baby. This broke my heart.
Please please pray for baby D and her parents.
It is always a good time to pray the rosary especially during my PET CT.
Thank you God for everything that happens.
You are in control and I have so much peace.
A while back as I was waiting for a tea, a woman kept staring. Then she approached me,
“Hi father. I am a mother of a priest. Let me fix your crooked collar. I think all priests are my sons so I have to fix this.” And with a hug, she left.
I realized I’ll never be an orphan.
I had an emergency Baptism of a baby whose mother’s bf, after having an argument while driving on the freeway, decided to throw him through the window of the car.
WHAT A HORRENDOUS EVIL ACT.
Praying for you little “C.”
You didn’t deserve this.
Unfortunately, the cancer has spread. My oncologists are no longer talking in terms of years or even decades. We are all talking about months.
With my time I have remaining, I will pray and prepare.
Ok twitter do your thing. I need some prayers. Still in hospital with tons of pain. They destroyed a 9mm stone. Now I have to pass a 5mm. Please please. Pray that I pass it soon, I need to go back to “work.”
When in doubt, pause.
When angry, pause.
When you can’t forgive, pause.
When in pain, pause.
When tired, pause.
When you lose hope, pause.
When you feel lost, pause.
When you feel alone, pause
And When you pause, pray.
When you pray, thank God for He is always with you.
Joseph waited
13 YEARS
Abraham waited
25 YEARS
Moses waited
40 YEARS
Jesus waited
30 YEARS
If God makes you wait
you’re in good company
My daily patience check!
I woke up at 4 am so I went to pray to my little chapel. I saw the gardener there praying. He was there for 5 minutes. When he left he looked at me and said, “life is holier when we spend time with Him even if it is 5 minutes. Off I go to work.”
Make your work holy.
Me 1995-2005: Party, party, more party and no God.
Me 2016: celebrating my first Mass with a smile that I couldn’t stop all day.
Anything is possible for God.
Christmas is not always lights and presents and good time. Today they called me to the hospital because a very young guy died in a accident. For his family this day will never be the same.
Please pray for those who find Christmas a time of pain, loneliness and sorrow.
So I went to anoint a dying woman. I was preparing myself what to say and some prayers. These kinds of visits are not very easy. When I got there I found this tiny woman smiling. We prayed, we talked and we laughed. I feel like I was the one being ministered.
#GodsSurprises
.