I am José Luis Diaz Cruz, by the will of God a priest of the Diocese of Matagalpa, Nicaragua. As a child, I was very struck by how a priest who had only one arm raised a monstrance and blessed a large crowd that remained kneeling. I remember saying to my mother, who was kneeling next to me, "I want to be like him! I want to be like him!” Thus, my vocational story was born.
of his very own donated by a family in memory of
their late father, a former active member of the
Knights of Columbus.
I was ordained a deacon on June 8, 2019 and a priest on Nov. 23 of the same year. At the end of my formation, my bishop asked me to accompany him in his pastoral mission in the Diocese of Matagalpa, a service that I performed as a graduated seminarian, then all through my diaconal ministry and my first months as a priest. I am most thankful for that opportunity, because it allowed me to know my bishop well and work closely with him. Seeing his humility and closeness to the people was for me a testimony and an example to follow, besides seeing him as a true prophet announcing the word of God and denouncing injustices.
When I was a deacon, I remember after a pastoral visit in one of the rural communities my bishop was attacked. They wanted to take his life. He only told me to thank God, because if we die, he said: “You will die as a deacon martyr together with your bishop, remembering in this way St. Lawrence, a deacon and martyr.” From that moment on, I experienced him to be a true prophet of God, unafraid of human realities, always on mission in the freedom of the children of God.
You who are reading these brief words probably know a little of my story — know of what is happening in my homeland and the terrible persecution that the Church of Nicaragua is experiencing. Like all good Christians, I never thought of being imprisoned, much less as a priest.
Throughout this difficult road that was mine to travel, I have realized human beings, by nature, like to live well. We always want to live in good health. We do not want our loved ones to die. We want to be happy. But, sadly, we look for happiness in comfort, in wealth, in pleasure and in vanity, in things that don’t endure. We completely forget the word of the Lord. (Mt 5)
In my humanity, I was always afraid of pain. I did not like to suffer. But today, I am convinced that all suffering is part of our Christian life. Suffering is present in everyone's life and in so many different ways.
Surely at this moment, you can think of at least one thing that causes you pain, sadness or concern. There are many painful and sad things that in these last months I have had to endure, as have many of my Nicaraguan brothers, but I have realized that suffering is a mystery that is only illuminated by faith and which gives us strength, besides assisting our sanctification. Pain and suffering are something that we can only understand through the mystery of the salvation and life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The cross, if it is carried accompanied by the love of God, can soothe our souls and bring us to a deep spiritual state. Carrying the cross in the midst of pain is difficult, but it is not impossible by the hand of God.
A month before we were imprisoned, my mother passed away. I always asked God, “Why did you take her away?” Then, in jail, I kept asking him: “Why do you have me here...I have not done anything! I am innocent!” I didn't understand everything that was going on. Now for sure, I no longer question God's will, because I have realized he always has a purpose in our life.
The Lord is always with us, and he always comes down to listen to the afflicted and the troubled. He always treats us with mercy. So, if you are going through a difficult situation, smile and realize that you are not alone; Jesus is with you. God always provides. He does not leave the helpless alone. He always opens doors where they seem to be closed.
After all this, I am discovering the wonders of the Lord. Every cross leads to true happiness, to finding true peace; every cross leads to resurrection. That is why I thank God for the many gifts he has given me after all the difficulties and uncertainties, and I never can forget the Blessed Virgin Mary — she has always been with me.
in Rome in summer 2023.
My bishop knows that, after my release from prison together with my brothers, we were well received in the Diocese of Gaylord. My diocese, my bishop, my brothers who remain in Michigan with you and I are enormously grateful.
I am deeply grateful to Bishop Jeffrey Walsh for his affection and friendship, a man of God whom I admire very much and whom I thank the Lord for having known. Thank you for opening the doors of your diocese to me. Infinite thanks to Father Wayne Dziekan for all the details he managed for us. May God bless him and be with him always.
I would also like to thank Ms. Silvia Cortes Lopez for her help and counsel. May the Virgin of Guadalupe intercede for her life and service to the Church. I thank so many beautiful and good people from St. Philip Neri Parish, who contributed their love and affection in various ways, along with Father Kenneth Stachnik. I would also like to thank the entire Hispanic community of the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I remember them always and carry them in my heart. In a very special way, I thank the Ramirez family, because in them I found true family and friends from Nazareth.
I have now been assigned to Rome by Bishop Rolando Alvarez for further studies at the university. So, while you and my people of Nicaragua sleep, I run through the streets of Rome to board the bus routes and subways that take me to the university. Yet, at every moment, I remember you and raise prayers for you, so that you may be well.
In Christ and in Mary!
- Father José Luis Diaz Cruz
