Fraternity of Four

Diocese of San Angelo

Let’s get one thing straight upfront: “It’s just Coke.” Coming to Conception Seminary College can cause a culture clash. A longstanding tension among Midwesterners is the proper term for a soft drink: pop or soda. The four graduating seniors from the Diocese of San Angelo in Texas affirm that whether Coca-Cola, Pepsi, or a generic brand it is always just Coke.

The nomenclature may not last but these four men created a dynamic within Conception Seminary that will be hard to replace. Wherever these four men go, there will be plenty of laughter, hospitality, and optimism. “In Texas there’s a friendliness even at the gas station,” says Abilene native Humberto Diaz. “My parish greets each person with a hug,” adds Francisco “Frankie” Camacho of Midland. “Family is the center of our culture. That taught us to encounter Christ in those around us.” At first in contrast to sober, Northern European stock, they stuck out; now everyone looks to this quartet for welcome and good cheer.

Not everything about Texas helped. When three of the seniors – Frankie, David Garcia also of Midland, and Mauricio Romero of Odessa – came to Conception, their academic background ill-prepared them for college. West Texas economics plays a part. Camacho explains: “The teachers know most guys will drop out and go to the oil field to make more money than the teachers themselves. So many teachers and students don’t care. It’s a problem for the whole education system.”

David Garcia said that he was intimidated by how some of his classmates were so disciplined. This became inspiration. They were grateful for how Conception was willing to work with them and provide resources and support to grow as students.

The San Angelo men have developed a strong bond as brothers at Conception. However, the next step to graduate seminary will “break up the band.” Francisco is poised to attend Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Humberto to Notre Dame Seminary in Louisiana, and Mauricio and David will take a piece of Texas to the Eternal City (Rome) at the North American College. Ever optimistic, they say this will give them the opportunity to bring back different experiences to their diocese. Furthermore, it makes them cherish the fraternity they have at Conception that much more.

When the San Angelo seminarians go to their new seminaries, they will not only take Texas with them, but also Conception. Frankie and David point to the centrality of prayer for the monks. “Everything stops and revolves around prayer,” says Francisco. “The slow, prayerful, emphasis on the beauty of the liturgy at Conception,” David states, “I want to take elsewhere.” Humberto says the appreciation for silence in prayer and lectio divina is different from the charismatic prayer of his home. Mauricio offers that despite preparing to be a parish priest, the monks’ stability informs future ministry. He explains that he must be faithful to the community at his parish and with brother priests.

As they move on, these four men hope to keep their diocese’s legacy alive at Conception Seminary College. They have advice for freshman, Jessie Ortiz. First, be positive. “Seminarians can sometimes complain about all they think is wrong with the Church,” says Frankie. “You have to give them a better outlook.” Second, continue to welcome everyone while also building close friendships. And lastly, says David: “Be energetic!” 

— Fr. Pachomius Meade, OSB
Vice Rector & Dean of Students