A Whole New World
“At age 12 my new environment was quite different and difficult,” said Bishop Rodríguez. had already graduated from grammar school in Mexico, but I continued my elementary education at Saint Francis Assisi Parish School on Chicago’s south side, graduating in 1955.”
It was at Saint Francis that young Plácido became familiar with the Claretians, a Roman Catholic community of priests and brothers who staffed his parish in the predominately Mexican-American neighborhood.
“By the time I arrived in Chicago one of my brothers was already studying theology. . . I knew I wanted to be a professional of some sort – whether a lawyer, an engineer, or a doctor – so I started to consider (them and) eliminate them . . . one by one.
“I wanted to do something that would be a challenge, something I felt I was called to do. So I thought “I can be a priest; not everybody can be a priest.’ I really wanted to be able to make a difference with people. A doctor, he can heal the body, but the priest heals the soul for all eternity.
“That pretty much settled it in my mind. I thought the most effective career for me was the priesthood. I came to that conclusion at the end of seventh grade.
“I told my mother (about the decision to join the Claretians) first and she was pleased. Then, I told my father. He said, ‘Well, son, if you go to the seminary. . . I want you to go for the right reasons, not because your friends are there or because the seminary has a swimming pool. A priest is a servant of God and of the people. His life at times can be hard because of the sacrifices he must make. If you really don’t want to be a priest, don’t go to the seminary. If you do, then go with my blessings.’”
Continue Reading
A Whole New World
