By Omar Herrera
Digital Media Production Major, 4th year student at UTEP

At first, I thought I was going to have a fun time entering college, meeting new friends, going to a new school, and building connections. Yet, during my freshman year at

Omar Herrera, in a moment of profound spiritual connection, prays and gazes lovingly at the Eucharist during adoration at Camp Damascus during Catholic Youth Summer camp.

the University of Texas at El Paso, I found myself in a room staring at a screen for hours trying to get homework done. The Covid-19 pandemic arrived in the U.S in the spring of my senior year of high school. For me, it meant no graduation, no prom, no connection to the people I loved. I would have never imagined I would be stuck in my house talking to people virtually. I started to develop anxiety and depression and I wanted it to be over. I wanted to find someone; I longed for connections, but I did not know with whom.

Throughout this time, I knew who Jesus was, but never met Christ personally. During my second semester in college God had placed a calling in my heart. A calling to seek God’s presence. I felt this urge to go to my local parish, to attend Mass, and to pray more often. I was confused as I did not know how to go about developing a relationship with God.

During the Fall of 2021, we were able to attend class in person, and at this time I found the San Romero University Ministry Center, where several Conventual Franciscan Friars ministered. There, I was able to attend Adoration for the first time in my life. At first, I was perplexed and sometimes scared to go, but the Lord kept calling me to go every Thursday throughout the school year, and that was when I realized that I was not just looking at a piece of bread, but I was in the presence of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. It was there that I encountered other young adults who were seeking the Lord with their whole heart. It was there that we started to show God all the love we had for Him in song.

It is in praise and worship where I feel the Holy Spirit moving me closer to Jesus in the Eucharist. I sometimes fail to show up, but Jesus is always present in the Eucharist. At times, I realize that I go through the motions. Yet, as I sing and at times lift my hands in praise, or kneel before the Blessed Sacrament, I join all the Saints and Angels in giving Jesus Christ honor and praise.

To quote St. Francis of Assisi:

“We adore You, Lord Jesus Christ, here, and in all your churches throughout the world, and we bless you, because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.”