Profile - Sister Mary Claudina Sanz, O.S.P.
Father Agustin Mateo
Pastor, Our Lady Queen of the Americas
Washington, DC
About twenty years ago Father Agustin Mateo heard the call to follow Christ in the priesthood. He was working at a bank in Spain when he attended Mass one day and heard a beautiful homily on the priesthood. He said that at that moment he felt the call. “It is something supernatural. My whole life changed, my goals, the purpose of my life.”
Father Mateo was ordained in 1990 and was incardinated with the Archdiocese of Washington in 2003. Since then he has become the associate pastor of Our Lady Queen of the Americas, a busy Spanish-speaking parish in the archdiocese.
Father Mateo says that being a Latin American priest means serving people from many different countries. He says that he tries to follow the advice his mom gave him years ago which is to always put yourself in the people’s shoes.
Father Mateo often remembers another piece of advice his mother gave him on the day of his ordination. She said, “Whenever you think you cannot, you can. Just turn to the Lord and ask for help.”
To arrange interviews with Father Agustin Mateo or any of the individuals featured in the “You Could Make A Difference” campaign, contact Sister Mary Ann Walsh, 202-541-3200, mwalsh@usccb.org.