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Name: Rafael García
Date of birth: June 19, 1981
Hobbies and interests: traveling, reading, outdoors
Favorite saint: St. John Bosco
I was raised in a faithful Catholic family. My parents always made it clear that Mass was not something that was optional, because it is part of a Catholic’s life. I grew up thinking about my possible vocation to the priesthood. When I finished high school in 1999, I went to the university for about three years and studied Business Administration. I also worked as an accounting assistant during the same time. In 2004 I moved to the U.S. and helped in a parish as a catechist for two years before answering the call to enter the seminary. I was in a discernment program with the Diocese of Oakland for a year and a half. It was through God’s grace and powerful people in my life, particularly a priest, that I heard His call to follow Him. I thank God for His love and for the people in my life that He worked through in profound ways. I think that the priesthood is a gift from God and a true call to follow Him and bring others to His Kingdom.