Spain still reels from the worst wildfires in its history. Thousands remain displaced, countless jobs have been lost, and vast stretches of land have burned.
The students of the Minor Seminary of St. Mary in Rozas de Puerto Real, part of the Diocese of Getafe, were also caught in the wildfire's path. The seminary building was, however, miraculously saved.
ELIERT JEREZ
Rozas de Puerto Real Seminary Rector
I remember Sunday night when the mayor of my town, Javier, called me. He was on the front lines, and gave me the terrible news that the fire was moving towards the seminary from the Casillas mountain. The flames were already quite close to the seminary; we feared the worst.
The mayor climbed to the top of the mountain to witness what already seemed inevitable. As Fr. Eliert Jerez was speaking to his bishop on the phone, the wind suddenly changed direction.
ELIERT JEREZ
Rozas de Puerto Real Seminary Rector
The flames suddenly retreated and disappeared from that area. It was the only place spared in the entire valley, along with the village of Rozas Puerto Real. I thank Heaven for that, because we were all looking at the wildfire maps as they were updating and every one showed a U shaped curve around the seminary. It was as if the fire simply wouldn't come down the mountain. I have no other explanation. A firefighter said to me, 'miracles do happen, Father.' 'Yes, miracles do happen.'
In a hurry, Fr. Eliert took the Blessed Sacrament, wrapped in altar linens, along with the seminary's statue of the Virgin Mary.
ELIERT JEREZ
Rozas de Puerto Real Seminary Rector
I remember placing them in the van. Seeing the Lord in that moment, so vulnerable. I thought, He's another victim of these wildfires. He's right here, here, in the middle of the flames. Right here. And I'll take Him with me, the way you'd carry the love of your life, or the people you cherish the most. I remember driving with the Blessed Sacrament in the passenger seat. I said to the Lord, 'You're going through this with me, right?'
Fr. Eliert explains, that for the first time, he felt vulnerable for leaving. He was no longer the one comforting the sick and those affected by disasters. This time, he was the affected one.
ELIERT JEREZ
Rozas de Puerto Real Seminary Rector
It's very difficult to find yourself in that position, feeling so weak. As priests, we're accustomed to caring for others, not being cared for.
On Tuesday the 28th, inhabitants of Rozas de Puerto Real were able to return home where Fr. Eliert reunited with them. The seminarians are also coming back, but many may not be able to continue their formation without financial support after their families lost their livelihoods.
The diocese of Getafe is already working to get the seminarians scholarships. So that, as Fr. Eliert says, not even one vocation is lost to the flames.
