Padre Sean
By Ramon Dominguez @ 7:17 PM :: 704 Views
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Today the press either praises or criticizes him for the challenging situation he is dealing with, as he has been called upon to resolve issues that were ignored for many years in the Archdiocese of Boston.  For us, the agrupados of Washington, he continues to be our dear Padre Sean.  This is the most typical way in which we in the ACU’s Washington house recognize the current Archbishop of Boston, now on his way to becoming a cardinal of the Holy Church.  If anyone deserves this distinction, it is this humble capuchin.

During more than 12 years, he dedicated countless days to cultivating agrupados.  His weekly mass, always a bit late, was the core of our weekly guardia.  We still recall with fondness his Lenten retreats and his homilies that inspired us to give more and follow his example. As agrupados, we were like his hands and arms, like our hymn says.  It was through his work that we were able to participate in and see Christ’s call to unite ourselves with the poor.

In fact, Padre Sean’s work in the Spanish Catholic Center was the driver of our ACU apostolic efforts.  It was in the Centro Católico that we shared his austere life that was dedicated so integrally to helping the poor and forgotten immigrant.  It was he that, like a supersonic jet, propelled the night classes, medical clinics, dental consultations, Spanish-language newspaper, weekly radio program, and all types of social services for new immigrants.  His merit was also in organizing the unemployed and homeless, while preparing them with education and hope.  This he did without worrying about the hours required nor where he would rest, and sometimes not even what he would eat or wear.

We can truly say that Padre Sean is an example of an agrupado since he fully lives our motto of Esto Vir with great love for the Blessed Virgin and Christ.  His example is a legacy that the Washington house will never forget.