Interview with Mario Morales

Mirjam Jordán

First of all, I must admit that I don’t believe in coincidences. I sometimes realize that the Universe is on your side and things go around you as they should, and problems or challenges often get solved even if you are not dwelling too much on them.

This is exactly what happened when my group mates and I decided to have a cup of coffee / cappuccino between two lectures at the freshly opened café next to the dining hall. It is here by the way, at the University of Miskolc. It is a calm place with delicious coffees and parish clerks/priests who serve with kindness and for no price, but for some donation (as much money as you think). They are the waitress at the café. There was a Spanish parish clerk called Mario Morales. He accepted our request to be a subject of our interview; therefore, we would like to thank him this way too.

Who are you? Where are you from?

I am Mario Morales, 32 years old. I am from Nicaragua. I’m here at the University of Miskolc as a parish clerk, but I don’t study here. I studied at the Theological College of Eger, but now I’m on a mission here, because I would like to be a priest, if God wants it that way too.

Tell us something about yourself, please.

I grew up in a Catholic family, so religion has always been important in my life. In spite of this, I was not always religious. There was a time when I turned away from God. It was when I lost my father as a young child. That was the time when I doubted God. My siblings and I were raised by our mother. It was not easy, but my life has always been challenging.

Life is rich in challenges. How did you realize that you are meant to be a cleric and how did you find God?

Yes, it is challenging. For me, especially the university at home. That was quite challenging. I studied Information Science there. I had always been rebellious and used to go out and have fun frequently. Another challenge hit me when I fell in love with a girl at the university. It was a beautiful relationship, but somehow I did not feel what I should have felt. I didn’t feel myself complete and I felt like something was missing. I didn’t know how to love others. One day, I went to the church, because I didn’t know what God’s plans were with me, so I asked him for guidance. Later on, I got an invitation to be a member of the Circle of Youth Catechism. On these occasions there was a boy who was singing from the Psalms and it was so fascinating that little did I know in that moment: this is what I need and what I want. Serving God.

How did you feel when you realized “this is what I need”?

I felt like God loved me with all of my sins. In addition, I realized that I can love others, I learned how to love others. I could experience a deeper love at the church and during the agapes/love feasts. I could get and give love free in the community. This was the most important for me, although conversion is not an easy issue at all. I didn’t have much money at that time, so I started working at the vicarage. Initially, I started to feel like ‘if I have money, there is no need for God anymore.’ Furthermore, working there was a bit problematic. People come and go, especially if they are priests. If they are told to move on, they have to go to another church of a city or a village. They have no choice, because this is their profession. You can’t love anyone for a longer time, because they have to leave and this is a big disadvantage. I tried to look for another job and I managed to. I worked as a clerk/administrator somewhere else.

Was it better then?

No, it wasn’t. After giving up my previous job, I had a relationship with a girl, but this relationship was imbalanced. We didn’t really have time for each other. Then, I went to the church again and there I got a blessing at the Lord’s table.

What was this blessing?

I was told to be a missionary and later a priest. There was a sweepstake at one of the retreats in Italy. I was praying for God to help me, because I was extremely afraid of the fact of traveling to any country around the world. Deep inside I hoped that I would be told to go home, but then I was told to go to Hungary. At first, my reaction was ‘what? Hungary? Where is that?’ Initially, I was afraid and felt like ‘Mamma mia, what am I doing here? Why am I here?’, in addition, when I arrived everywhere I looked I was surrounded by beautiful women and I was asking God constantly ‘Why should I be exactly here? Why did you bring me here?’. So my biggest blessing was my biggest challenge at the same time and I admit that it was not easy, because I am a man and I am not blind. In spite of my weakness, God kept me strong. Another blessing happened to me when my grandfather started attending masses. He used to be an atheist, but he never told me not to go to mass; however, I knew that he didn’t like the way I was thinking. He said it was okay with tears in his eyes. One day when I went home, my grandmother told me that she had been to the mass with my grandfather. From that moment I realized that they don’t reject me anymore and they accepted my decision. Tears were coming into my eyes and I felt relieved and loved.

Do you miss your family?

Yes, I do and I fear them a lot, because there is a war-like situation at home. The conflicts between the government and the nation are broadening. There are dangerous demonstrations on the streets and people are threatened to get arrested. Here, I read news, watch films in my free time, but it is not easy, because sometimes I just want to go home. I am here, because God would like me to be here, and if he wants to, I will be a priest.

Thank you so much for accepting our request and sharing your story with us. We wish you the best.

Thank you