GABRIEL IGNACIO LUCAS URRESTA

My name is Gabriel Ignacio Lucas Urresta and I was born in Esmeraldas in 2002: I have a brother and a sister, of whom I am the eldest. My biological father's name is Leonardo Lucas and my mother's name is Giannina Urresta: they are currently separated and it should be noted that they were never married in the Church.

When I was six years old my parents separated and this was an event that marked my life, I lived alone with my mother until I was 9 years old. Then my mother met another man, Jorge Yépez, and married him through the church; from then on I grew up with them.

I did my primary studies at the "Unidad Educativa Fiscomisional Nuevo Ecuador" and my secondary studies at the "Unidad Educativa Salesiana María Auxiliadora" graduating at the age of seventeen specializing in "Electrical Installations and Industrial Machinery". Then, I studied a semester at the "Armed Forces" University of Latacunga in the "Electronics and Automation" career, from where I left and started working for almost a year.

I entered the Neocatechumenal path at the age of twelve and after a few years I started the vocational center that I attended for a year and a half. After this time, the nation's catechists visited the vocational centers, scrutinized me and asked me if I was willing to do God's will. I remember that I answered: "All my life I tried to do my will and now I want to do what God asks of me." I was sent on a mission to the "Sacred Heart" parish in Quinindé. After almost six months the catechists scrutinized me again and thought they would send me to the Redemptoris Mater "San Pedro Claver" seminary in Esmeraldas in Quito, Ecuador.

Now I am studying the third semester of philosophy and I thank God for the marvels that he has made me see so far. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you do for us and I commend myself to your prayers.