As a child in his native Colombia, Deacon Carlos Vargas already knew that Jesus was with him.
“We had an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. I was nine years old and had a deep encounter with Christ. I became ‘a Eucharistic person,’” said Deacon Vargas, today a seminarian of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., who participated in a national Catholic gathering in Colombia when he was young.
Deacon Vargas now stands a year away from being able to consecrate the Eucharist as a priest. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney ordained him to the transitional diaconate on Aug. 1 during a Mass in the hall of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Passaic, N.J. It’s Deacon Vargas’ final step before his anticipated priestly ordination next year.
“Jesus has wanted me to become a priest to teach and help others realize that God is a real God. He’s not an abstract concept or being. He can dwell in us,” Deacon Vargas said.
On Saturday morning, Bishop Sweeney served as the main celebrant and homilist for the Mass in Spanish and English and presided over the Rite of Ordination. Priests of the diocese and beyond concelebrated the liturgy, which was assisted by deacons and seminarians.
Attending the Mass were family, friends, priests and religious of the diocese, including from parishes that Deacon Vargas had served, while his family from Colombia watched on livestream.
“We thank Carlos for his perseverance in the seminary and his response to God’s call, which we hope will lead to his ordination to the priesthood — that gift we receive as diocesan priests,” Bishop Sweeney said. The bishop thanked Deacon Vargas’ family, seminarians, and parishes for nurturing his vocation.
A deacon is an ordained minister in the Catholic Church who belongs to the clergy. He acts as a “servant” to the bishop and pastor. According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, his ministry focuses on liturgy, the word, and charity.
Deacon Vargas’ grandmother started planting a seed of faith and vocation with him at seven years old. They prayed daily rosaries, and he became an altar server.
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“I was captivated by the beauty of the Church’s liturgy and by the priest. His dedication inspired me,” said Deacon Varga. He accompanied the priest visiting the sick and homebound and making hospital visits.
Deacon Vargas began a regular practice of praying a daily holy hour, which he continues today, while also praying the rosary. He has also stayed close to the Blessed Mother.
Deacon Vargas’ junior year of high school in Colombia seemed to be his time of decision to enter the seminary in the Archdiocese of Barranquilla. Then, a young woman entered his life.
“This beautiful relationship came about, but I always taught her that it wasn’t just the two of us; it was three,” Deacon Vargas said about God being the center of his approach to the relationship. “She became active in the Church with the youth ministry,” he said.
Yet Deacon Vargas kept discerning the priesthood. Then, a phone call came to him. The young woman “was disappointed when I got the phone call that I was accepted to the seminary,” he said.
“I learned that she went to the Salesian Sisters. Whether I helped her, or I was an instrument, or God used me in some way, I don’t know,” Deacon Vargas said.
Deacon Vargas entered the seminary in 2016 in Colombia. He arrived in the Paterson Diocese a year later. He studied English as a Second Language at Rutgers University in Newark, N.J., before entering St. Andrew’s College Seminary at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, N.J.
Deacon Vargas has another year of formation left before his priestly ordination.
“I have come to the realization that, yes, God attracted me, but falling in love with the Lord, that’s where I want to remain,” Deacon Vargas said.
A year away from the priesthood, Deacon Vargas tries not to focus on the anxiety of the moment.
“Life from now on is going to be more complex. It’s not responsibility-wise, or being more committed to the Church by performing baptisms, weddings, funerals, blessings, but it’s the spiritual and moral responsibility with the people. I know that overwhelms us newly ordained, and I don’t want to lose that sense of joy,” Deacon Vargas said. The Lord is with me. He called me, and he’s going to be with me until the end of time,” he said.
