In the heart of Catamarca, Argentina, a special place has emerged where young people can pause and ask what plans God might have for their lives. This is Nazareth House, a newly opened community that accompanies those feeling called toward priestly or religious vocations. This project, long dreamed of by diocesan leaders, has become reality through the joint efforts of priests, families, and especially courageous young people who have chosen to walk this path of discernment.
The house operates alongside San José Obrero parish in the La Tablada neighborhood, under the guidance of Father Diego Manzaraz. Currently, four young adults over 23 live there while continuing their work, studies, and family commitments. What unites them is the shared desire to seek God's will for their lives—a process requiring time, silence, and much prayer.
As the psalmist reminds us:
"Show me your ways, Lord; teach me your paths" (Psalm 25:4, NIV).This is precisely the prayer echoing in the hearts of those who come to Nazareth House: the longing to know the path God has prepared for each person.
Three Foundations for Vocational Discernment
The Nazareth House experience rests on three essential foundations that help young people hear God's voice clearly. The first is prayer—that intimate dialogue with the Lord where we can express our doubts, hopes, and fears. Without a consistent prayer life, we can hardly distinguish divine will from our own desires.
The second foundation is community life. Young people don't walk this path alone but are accompanied by others sharing the same search. In daily living together, they learn to serve, forgive, listen, and grow together in faith. As Hebrews says:
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another" (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV).
The third foundation is self-knowledge. To discern vocation, one must know oneself honestly: recognizing gifts, limitations, wounds, and dreams. This guided introspection helps discover how God has been working in one's personal story.
Spiritual Guidance: Light Along the Journey
Nazareth House residents receive close guidance from Father Diego Manzaraz and support from the entire diocesan presbyterate. This spiritual accompaniment is essential, providing expert direction and ensuring the discernment process happens within the Church's tradition and teaching.
During the inauguration Mass, Bishop Luis Urbanc shared words full of pastoral wisdom. "The secret of this experience," he told the young people, "is to fix your gaze on Jesus. Nothing more. Don't think first about becoming priests, but about discovering Jesus and having a deep experience of Him." These words remind us that every Christian vocation, whatever it may be, springs from a personal encounter with Christ.
The Gift of Celibacy: A Loving Surrender
One aspect young people explore at Nazareth House is the gift of celibacy, understood not as a renunciation but as a special way of loving. Bishop Urbanc encouraged residents to persistently ask the Lord for this gift during their year of discernment: "Jesus takes nothing away; He gives everything. And if He asks for your heart, it's to fill it with a love that never ends."
This perspective completely transforms the understanding of celibacy. It's not about "not being able" to form a family, but about being able to love more broadly, imitating Christ who loved to the utmost. The Nazareth House community continues to be a beacon of hope for young people seeking to align their lives with God's loving plan.
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