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In many ways living in Guatemala, the “Heart of America,” defines our lives. We live life from a different perspective. Influenced by Central American theologians, martyrs, Mayan spirituality and dedicated religious we have learned to see the living God in life’s paradoxes: the happiness that comes from suffering; life from death; hope in the midst of oppression; the rich poor and the poor rich; the having everything we could possibly want because we have left everything. We are defined as missionaries of the Diocese of Helena, Mont. We bear the good news that the people of the Diocese of Helena care about the people of Santo Tomás and want to help them. But we have found out that we are the recipients here. The people are constantly reminding us what is really important in life. We came to Guatemala in the wake of the deaths of many missionaries. We have witnessed the Peace Accords only to see them ignored or mocked by the “powers that be.” We have known martyrs in our time here, people who died, not just because of their faith but because of their faithfulness to God who befriends and shows preference for the poor and oppressed. We are called by their example to a radical living of our vows. Living among the poor in a foreign land allows us to be honest about our vow of poverty. We can’t fool ourselves into thinking we are living our vow if we “need” too much for ourselves. The poor clamor at our door daily to remind us we are holding back, we are not allowing God to provide for them through us, trusting that God will provide in our time of need. Our consecrated celibacy is lived out by leaving all that we love: our family, our friends, our work, our country, our culture and our self. We become “strangers” in a foreign land, leaving even our “belonging.” Why? To follow Jesus who loved and served the widow, the orphan, the sick. We came to Guatemala because of those who had to leave or were killed during the violence. We didn’t even know it at the time but we were being called to continue their work, to follow Jesus in this radical way, leaving fear behind and becoming his heart ever open to those in need. Obedience is to God who dwells in and speaks to my heart. It is expressed in obedience to the Gospel which guides us to BE Christ alive in the world today. A visiting U.S. teenager exclaimed after making a pilgrimage with our youth, “These kids act as though Jesus is a real person!” The Gospels do come alive in Guatemala, the “Heart of America,” and we are challenged by her saints and martyrs to join people who are poor in goods but rich in faith as they work to bring justice and peace to this land of oppression and violence, home of the Living God. About the author: Ana Priester, BVM is parish minister and catechist at Santo Tomás La Union in Suchitepequez, Guatemala. Return
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'Heart of America,' Place Is Defining