From Seminarian to Shepherd: Local Priest Recalls His Bond with Pope Francis
Father Bernardo Lara, pastor of the Catholic communities in Brawley and Westmorland, recently reflected on his personal experiences with Pope Francis during his time studying in Rome. He shared his story in a heartfelt letter published by the San Diego Union-Tribune. Born in Chula Vista and raised in Tijuana, Mexico, Father Bernardo has served as head pastor in the Imperial Valley for nearly three years, leading Sacred Heart, St. Margaret Mary, and St. Joseph parishes.
Here’s what he had to say, in his own words:
It was a few days before Holy Week in 2013 when my journey with Pope Francis began. I wasn’t a priest yet. I was a seminarian studying my in Oregon to become a priest. That seminary school had a gym where the first floor was a basketball court and the second floor had cardio machines.
On this particular day I was on the second floor exercising with a few friends. Suddenly we heard the bells of the seminary church ringing calling everyone to meet at the gymnasium. I was there already so we just waited for everyone to arrive. The IT department connected a projector showing a broadcast on the wall so that everyone could see one of the news channels. Suddenly, the white smoke was shown. We were all excited. We were also speculating; all of us had our predictions. Then it happened.
We were around 300 people at that gym, students and staff, and not a single person predicted correctly. We heard the “Habemus Papam!” and then “Reverendisimum dominum … dominum Giorgium Marium … Cardinalem … Bergoglio.” We were puzzled. “Who?” was the question everyone seemed to repeat. And then the surprise continued: “Qui nomen sibit imposuit: FRANCISCUM.” Francis? The rest is history.
For the next dozen years, Pope Francis would continue to surprise the world with his papacy. What was his “papal style”? It was nothing but the result of his relationship with God. His choice of name was to bring the poor to the center of the picture. The prayers he asked for Pope Benedict was the result of his spiritual maturity. The words he used on that first speech showed us the kind of priest he was: “And now let us begin this journey, the bishop and people,” he said. His vision of church leadership was that of being one walking with his people, like a father. He would confirm this a few moments later, stating, “Before the bishop blesses the people, I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me — the prayer of the people for their bishop.” His papacy wasn’t one of just ruling over Catholics. Rather, it was one of walking together. Like God did.
The Christmas day Gospel for the Catholic Church recalls that God “became flesh and dwelt among us.” God came down to be with the people, to live with the people and to walk with the people. That is what Francis did throughout his ministry as priest, bishop and pope. He was the head of the Catholic Church and of the Vatican state, but he lived like a father for all. Perhaps we can safely say one of his greatest legacies is emphasizing the pastoral aspect that should be seen in church ministry. In other words, it is about taking the vast and rich theology of the church and putting it into actions — being a Samaritan, a neighbor to everyone: the poor, the rich, immigrants, the elderly, Catholics and non-Catholics.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, I was attending graduate-level studies in moral theology in Rome. Thus, I had the opportunity to see and approach Pope Francis on several occasions. Every time I talked to him, it was a profound encounter. The first time I met him, I was very nervous. I couldn’t believe it. I forgot to say things I wanted to say and I said things I hadn’t planned to say. That made me prepare for the following encounters. He was brilliant, spiritual and funny. At times he would leave me with some words to nourish my spiritual life, my relationship with God. Other times we would focus on general knowledge topics, and, almost always, we shared a few laughs in the conversation. He stopped being a public figure for me and became like a distant grandfather.
I will miss him. I have seen a number of posts on social media from friends and celebrities and I confirm that the world will miss him. Yet now his words and actions will become more valuable. Something like the paintings of Picasso acquired great value after his death, so the light of Pope Francis will be of greater value in our lives.