Volcano Pacaya

 Today was another uneventful day to say the least because a number of us hiked…wait for it…a VOLCANO! Yes that is right, an active volcano. Volcano Pacaya!

It was incredible hiking up the Volcano. We were able to see the remnants of what used to be a small village before the volcano erupted and destroyed it. If you look at the photos, each of the black marks in the volcano pictures is where the lava poured out. At the point where we could go no further, we were able to experience a little bit of the heat from the volcano through small craters within the earth. The heat was immense. So immense that we were able to roast marshmallows! I tell you, the Guatemalan people think of everything on these excursions. 

There were about 15 Seminarians and a few of our maestras went as well. We were educated on the history of the volcano, as well as the story behind Rigoberto’s (the Director of Probigua) beginnings of the school. Front he time he was a young man, to the time where he discerned a call to the Priesthood with Benedictines from the US, to when he discerned out and with the assistance of his Benedictine education and Spirituality began the Probigua school for children who did not have access to an education. This then led to the founding of the Probigua school that I am a part of that assists Seminarians and Priests in learning the Spanish language as well as becoming immersed in a culture that, as I said before is humble and prideful, but also spiritual and thankful to God for their families and for everything they have (remember its not a lot, but they are HAPPY). 

A small lesson that we all can learn from. 

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