Fr. Romen Acero

Written by Richard Reece

Tuesday, 22 September 2009 10:33

One year after his ordination, Father Romen Acero is serving at St. Thomas More Church in Chapel Hill. He says he is “happier than I have ever been in my life.” His road to the priesthood was not an easy one, but it led him to a deeper appreciation of God’s Providence.

Growing up in Bogota, Colombia, “I knew at 14 that God was calling me to be a priest,” Father Acero says. “I had been an altar server, and was very involved in a pastoral group. I saw the ministry of the priests and sisters, and I wanted to participate in that.” His family was poor, though, and counted on his support. So instead of entering the seminary, he became a Catholic high school teacher, teaching Spanish grammar, philosophy and religious education for nine years. “All that time,” he recalls, “I wanted to be a priest. I enjoyed teaching, but I was very frustrated because it seemed like the priesthood wasn’t in God’s plan for me.”

At a meeting in Bogota, however, the teacher met Father Fernando Torres, a Colombian native serving in the Diocese of Raleigh. “He invited me to apply for the vocations program in Raleigh. It was unbelievable!” Father Romen says.

“Now there are moments every day that bring grace,” he continues. A new discovery for the young priest was ministry for the sick. He is on call at all times for the needs of patients at UNC-Chapel Hill Hospitals. “I began thinking ‘How will I help these people?’ but they are the ones who make me stronger. It is always an incredible experience. One call can change your whole plan for the day, and also bring totally unexpected blessings. I never know how things will turn out, but I always know that I will experience God’s grace. At day’s end I can always say, ‘Thank You, Lord."

Father Acero says his “ministry is all about telling people how God loves them, and I can tell them that from experience, because I feel His love every day.” As a priest he strives to “be aware of the current context of people’s needs” and to “connect Jesus’ proclamation to what is going on in the world. His Word can answer any questions people have about the meaning of human existence."

reprinted from NC Catholics Magazine, July 2009

Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 September 2009 13:19