René Zambrana - 18 years old - Briston, Virginia - USA
What
are you studying? Right now I’m studying the recent Encyclical of Pope John Paul II about the Eucharist. I love the last two chapters especially.
What is the greatest ideal of your life?
The greatest dream of my life is to get to Heaven.
What is the greatest failure a person can have?
The greatest failure a person can have is sin, because it separates you from God.
What is your opinion of the world you’re living in?
My opinion is that many people are wasting a great part of their lives with the T.V., the computer, music; few people take the time to think and even fewer time to pray.
In a few words, how would you define yourself?
A young person living in an environment that offers the opportunity to absorb graces.
What living person do you most admire?
The Pope John Paul II.
When you die, how would you like to be remembered?
As having lived a life of heroic virtue.
What would you ask of a young person?
To pray the Rosary every day.
What is joy?
Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit along with peace and mercy.
And sadness?
Sin.
Are you afraid of something? What?
Right now, nothing.
How does one overcome fear?
By responding to the call of Christ through his representative on earth, the Pope: “Duc in altum”, “Cast out the nets”, which is a call to us to have that deep prayer life described by Theresa of Ávila and John of the Cross. This call was clarified by the Pope’s Letter, “Rosarium Virginis Mariae” which offered the Rosary as a means to reach contemplation.
Who is your favourite Saint?
St. Louis Grignon de Montfort.
What is it about him that you most admire?
His books, “The Secret of the Rosary” and “The True Devotion to Mary”.
Where do you think life will lead you?
I think the direction of my life is towards Christ and that I am being called to follow Him and to imitate Him. Please say a Hail Mary that I may be faithful to my vocation.
On what does a person’s success depend?
Personal success is to be found in doing God’s will on earth, like Jesus and Mary did.
Who is Jesus Christ?
The living God with a Heart of flesh.
What is the centre of your life?
The God who one day demonstrated his love for me by dying on the Cross and who continues to show me his love by always doing what it takes to save my soul and to lead me towards Him.
What is the hope of young people?
The hope of young people is to realise that they are the hope of the Church and that they are called to live the same faith for which the saints, martyrs and apostles died. Young person! Believe it! You are the hope of God and so much depends on you!
How does one live better?
Doing what the Pope says. He is the representative of Christ on earth. This year he says that we should pray the Rosary, so let us make the time to pray it well without falling asleep and being conscious of the fact that our Mother, the Virgin Mary, is listening to our voice.
Complete:
I am... a person with my own ideas and opinions.
Things I find hard... feeling insecure, having to
eat meat with fat on it, those few seconds before and after a cold
shower, being mocked, feeling alone and not being listened to.
I ask for forgiveness whenever... I sin.
Friends are for... loving and being loved.
The Virgin Mary... spoils me.
What do the following words suggest to you?
Mary: Our Lady’s name.
Fatima: “Pray the Rosary every day for peace in the world”.
Apostolate: Rosary, the Eucharist, Duc in altum.
Heart: Christ in the Eucharist.
Way: Jesus.
Death: eternity.
Future: hope, courage.
Present: charity.
Past: faith in the mercy of God.
Family: I smile when I think of my family.
Faith: is blind.
Charity: love overflowing in the soul.
Hope: Heaven, seeing God.
© HM Magazine #113 - September/October 2003