Fr. Chris Saenz is a native of Bellevue, Nebraska, and belongs to the Missionary Society of St. Columbans. He was ordained in 2000. He is presently assigned in the US.
NEWS AND ARTICLES
It has been a year since I’ve been to the village of Kanni in Mandalay division and still, not a drop of rain has fallen as evidenced in the dry canals and dry land. There is an urgent sense of desperation for the rain to come soon because many have prepared the land for planting peanuts and sesame, two important crops of the village.
As I continued my journey in this side of the world, I came to realize that despite the diversity of religions there is always a prevailing human factor that is common: the capacity to love, care and pray for each other. This insight dawned on me during my stay in my parish.
I was a pilgrim of the NYD for a reason. I believe that I have encountered Christ in the people that I met: from my delegation, to my foster family, to Team Dominic Savio and to all NYD pilgrims. The National Youth Day in Cebu is over, but the journey for young individuals like me, as servants of the Lord, has just started.
It is a memorable feat, having another recruit ordained. No other feelings can describe it but happiness. I couldn’t hold my tears when Fr. Louie Ybañez started to give his blessing, especially to Bishop De La Peña and fellow priests during his ordination.