Reflecting on his time as a deacon, Damian realized he’s never really explained what a deacon does. In today’s post, he offers an explanation on the role of deacon and a reflection on how it has confirmed his vocation.
All posts by Damian Torres-Botello, SJ
Damian was a theatre artist (prior to becoming a Jesuit) in his hometown of Kansas City (the Missouri side) and Chicago — mostly playwriting, but dabbling in acting and directing as well. He is an avid belter of showtunes, performer of personal concerts in the car, writer, prayer partner, frequent movie goer, advocate of social justice, and spiritual director. He currently plays the role of deacon and serves at two parishes in Boston: St. Katherine Drexel and the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He will be ordained a priest in June 2023.
Joined in 2015 55 posts dbotellosj@thejesuitpost.org
Talk 8: I Am God’s Love | 2023 Lenten Retreat: Who do you say that I am?
The final talk of our Lenten Retreat asks once again the question, “Who do you say that I am?” In gratitude for all that God has given us, our response is to give ourselves in return. Giving ourselves to God also means giving ourselves to those around us.
Talk 7: My Identity as a Disciple | 2023 Lenten Retreat: Who do you say that I am?
As we move through Holy Week, we move further into our Lenten Retreat. After looking at our sins we are met with a healthy and good dose of confusion for God’s immense love for us. How does this love move us to respond?
Talk 6: Hell and the Identity of My Love | 2023 Lenten Retreat: Who do you say that I am?
Sometimes we must come face to face with our sins and their effects. In this talk of our Lenten Retreat, Damian focuses on a key moment in the First Week of the Spiritual Exercises. We look deeply at our sins in order to see God’s profound love for us.
Talk 5: My Identity as a Child of God | 2023 Lenten Retreat: Who do you say that I am?
Approaching God with our sins can be difficult, but going with Mary and Jesus can help. In this week’s retreat talk, we’ll explore Ignatius’s Triple Colloquy prayer method, which involves conversing with Mary, Jesus, and God. This method reminds us that we are never alone.
Talk 4: A Loved Sinner – My Own Sins | 2023 Lenten Retreat: Who do you say that I am?
In the 4th Talk of our Lenten Retreat, Damian reflects on personal sin. After looking at the context of sin in history, we must confront our own sins. In doing so we discover that even when we falter, God loves us loves deeply and unflinchingly anyway.
Talk 3: A Loved Sinner – History of Sin | 2023 Lenten Retreat: Who do you say that I am?
In the 3rd talk of our Lenten Retreat, we continue to contemplate our identity and how much God loves us. To come to a profound awareness of this love, Ignatius desires us to put sin in its proper perspective: sin as systemic and all around us. We may not like to think about sin, but Damian reflects on what it reveals about God and ourselves. We are sinners, and we are sinners loved by God.
A Deacon’s Diary: A Deacon Going Home
Where is home? What does home mean? Damian reflects on the significance of home as he transitions from one kind of life to another.
Talk 2: God has Given Us Gifts! | 2023 Lenten Retreat: Who do you say that I am?
In the 2nd talk of our Lenten Retreat, Damian focuses on the Principle and Foundation from the Spiritual Exercises. It is here that Ignatius tells us our goal in life and this goal helps us to understand our identity. Damian breaks open this Principle and Foundation and offers a suggestion on how we can better identify ourselves with God.