An invaluable opportunity studying in Mexico

Editor's note: Archdiocese of Mobile seminarian Edward Charnock recently returned from Mexico, where he spent the summer in a Spanish immersion program. Below is his reflection on his experience.

By Edward Charnock
For The Catholic Week
This summer I had the great privilege of spending June and July studying Spanish in Cuernavaca, Mexico, which is a nice city 90 minutes south of Mexico City. 
Our group of 11 seminarians and three priests, from Mississippi and Indiana, as well as Fr. Den Irwin (pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Prattville) and I, from the Archdiocese of Mobile, lived in the retreat house of the Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels and attended four hours of classes each day. 
Since being there I have noticed my Spanish improve greatly. Our teachers taught us grammar, vocabulary, Mexican history and culture, and helped us practice our conversation ability. They also helped me to understand more of the culture and customs through the stories of their families and upbringings.
The greatest point that I learned this summer, I believe, is that the people of Mexico are very similar to me in many, and surprising, ways. 
A few of the teachers were not much older than I, and spending time with them quickly showed me that we have similar interests, relationships with family and friends, senses of humor, and tastes in English music and movies. 
Two of the professors also shared the same degree as I, which is Philosophy. I also noticed that they too had to deal with a culture that was trying to pull their attention away from God and their strong family relationships. 
In this, too, I saw that they were very similar to me. We are all searching for the fulfillment that can only be found in a life spent with Christ. I saw this in Mexico, and I see this in the United States. I found this immersion invaluable for my formation because it greatly improved my Spanish, but also because it allowed me to experience Mexican culture very profoundly. 
Before this summer I had a very ignorant view of Mexico, but minimizing the language barrier and growing close to the great people with whom I spent time helped change my view in a way that will greatly help my future priestly ministry. 
Spanish-speaking people are no less than me because they do not speak English. In fact, we are incredibly similar to one another. Understanding the language shrank the divide that came between myself and those with whom I was trying to grow closer. 
It was also great to witness Fr. Irwin dedicating himself to learning as much Spanish as he could in the four weeks he was able to spend away from his parish. 
He shared with our group how he was motivated to learn Spanish because he needed to understand more of his parishioners and be able to guide them as a spiritual father. 
This summer provided such an invaluable opportunity because, through learning the language and understanding the cultural background, I will be able to be a more capable spiritual father to all, whether English or Spanish-speaking. I look forward to practicing my Spanish, and improving it, in anticipation of using it in the service of Christ as a priest.
— Edward Charnock is a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Mobile.