SANTIAGO SEBASTIÁN BENAVIDES AUCAPIÑA

My name is Santiago Sebastián Benavides Aucapiña, born in 1997, into a Christian family, in the beautiful city of Cuenca, Ecuador. I am a seminarian at the Redemptoris Mater "San Pedro Claver" Seminary in Esmeraldas, Ecuador and I am in the eighth year of formation for the priesthood. I have finished my philosophy studies and I am in the third year of theology. At present I am carrying out a time of pastoral mission in the city of Esmeraldas, in the "Virgen de Fátima" Parish.

I completed my primary and secondary studies in the city of Cuenca. I come from a large family, we are 10 brothers, but we live six, four are in heaven. We are five men and one woman, who is the oldest of all. I lived my entire sacramental life in my hometown, my father is a man very close to the Church and he learned about the Neocatechumenal path at the age of 16. From that time to this day, my whole family lives this reality of community. He is a gynecologist, my mother is a psychologist and a housewife. I graduated as a Music Technician at the "José María Rodríguez" Conservatory. At the age of 11 I entered the communities of the Neocatechumenal path in my hometown. After 7 or 8 years I felt the call of God to the priesthood ministry.

After 7 or 8 years I felt God's call to the priesthood ministry. In 2015, at the age of 17, after finishing school, I was sent to the Redemptoris Mater seminary in Esmeraldas. I have done my time of formation in the city of Quito, where the training house resides, with a time of mission in Quito, Chile, Esmeraldas. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do for the seminary and I ask you to remember me in your prayers.