Luis Gregoria Torres and Laura Zuniga can usually be found serving at Our Lady of Victories (OLV) Church in Paterson, N.J.
“Regularly they come around three days a week,” said Father Angel Torres, OLV’s pastor.
That’s because they have instilled a family-wide calling to give to God what they have received in life-saving miracles for Luis and one of their daughters when she was an infant. They also taught their five children and four grandchildren to return that gratitude to God through service to the Church.
The fruits of that service show why the Paterson Diocese, N.J., recognized the couple last fall with the Vivere Christus Est Award, which the bishop presents annually to members of the diocese for service to the Church through their local parishes. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney highlighted the family’s work, from ushering and lectoring to their involvement in parish events.
“We want to guide our children through a good path of life, so that they can stay together as a family. That is one of the motivations that we have to serve in the community,” Luis said through Father Torres interpreting during their interview.
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As Father Torres interpreted it, Laura added, “We didn’t receive the faith from our parents, but we want to share what they have received through life, the faith, with our family.”
The couple cited several miracles that God has worked in their lives, including Luis enduring four near-death experiences. He also spent five days in the desert without water. In another incident, a truck struck his car; in yet another, he crashed while riding his bike.
Luis said he also endured salmonella poisoning that led to a nearly deadly illness lasting five years.
“I’m doing this service because it’s a way to give thanks to God because I am still alive,” Luis said. “I am thankful to God because I have experienced many situations near death, and I’m doing everything just to thank God for what he has done in my life.”
Laura cited another miracle: when one of their three daughters was an infant and unable to breathe.
“She nearly succumbed to crib death at six months old. My little girl was just lying there, limp as a rag doll. She had stopped breathing,” Laura said. “Luis offered her to God so that he could have more time with his daughter.”
The couple’s daughter is now 16 years old.
The couple regularly attend parish retreats to receive the faith that sustains their lives.
They said they appreciate the Vivere Christus award, but recognize that the greatest gift they receive daily is the gift of living and sharing their lives in God.
“God gives us the grace to breathe and to live,” Luis said. “For us, it is better to receive from God another day to breathe, another day to stay with our family.”
