For Deacon Arias, service was a call since childhood

SALT LAKE CITY — Ricardo Arias Martínez was in his sixth grade class when some vincentian priests visited his elementary school to recruit students for their school, which was a junior high with seminary characteristics. He felt attracted to the priesthood and wanted to explore it through this school. Unfortunately, he ended up in a technical school where instead of learning about a life of service he learned about technical and architectural drawing.

"Even if your family is not very devout, the Lord may call you," he said regarding his own family. "They would go to Mass on Sunday, but nothing else."

He added that it may be surprising who God chooses to serve his Church, for example, he said, the 12 apostles were not very desirable people in society; they were sinners and temperamental, but in them "the work of God was clearer."

Arias may not have had the calling to be a priest, but one morning he met his life partner with whom he would share his call to serve through marriage and the diaconate.

They met when they almost bumped into each other that morning. "I was very impressed by Esperanza," he said. "She has been a great blessing and support," he added.

Arias and his wife started working with the youth group of their parish in their native Colombia. They then moved on to work with families.

It was in 1995 when Father Eriberto Mejía, the spiritual director of their marriage community invited them to Payson, Utah to help with the pastoral duties of the parish there.

The Arias returned to Colombia after serving the Church in Utah for two years, but were back a year later and this time they were here to stay.

Despite his commitment to the Catholic community, Arias felt he needed to do more and "serve the people in a spiritual way, especially by teaching them about the Lord, as he is our source of life and salvation," he said.

Arias requested approval to become a deacon but realized the timing was not good: he did not speak English and he had a young child (Juan Pablo). He tried again later, but the program was in Saint George, so Bishop George H. Niederauer, now Archbishop of San Francisco, recommended he wait until the program was in Salt Lake City.

When the program was close to him he went for it and was ordained a deacon in 2004. "It was a great joy even though I felt small in front of such a gift from God," he said.

Deacon Arias said his favorite part of the ordination ceremony was when he was laying on the floor as a sign that "I am at the service of God, recognizing I am a sinner. But, at the same time I am thankful for the huge blessing it is to dedicate your life and home to God in a more serious and concrete way."

Deacon Arias started a new job in August as the secretary for the Vocations Office. "It is a new challenge and a new experience."

He said that along with Father Javier Virgen, vicar for Hispanic Affairs, he will promote the calling of God to young men, especially in the Hispanic community. "Hispanics make up about 75 percent of the Catholic population in Utah," said Fr. Virgen. "We are developing new vocational programs and are planning congresses and retreats," said Deacon Arias.

He also said he does not pretend to be an inspiration for others to become deacons. "I just try to live a sincere and conscious vocation. I try to be humble, especially when sharing the Gospel. I do hope to motivate others to see the diaconate service as a special blessing."