A missionary vocation in the footsteps of Father Ezekiel Ramin

At the time, I recall, the news of the murder of a young Italian priest in our diocese shocked me profoundly. I had not known him personally. Nevertheless, I was deeply distressed by the awareness of human violence, particularly when directed against those who serve the Kingdom of God in the Church and in the world.

A vocational seed was taking root within my young heart, though I was entirely unaware of it.

Between work and evening studies, I enjoyed dedicating my weekends to assisting with the catechetical ministry at the parish of Rolim de Moura.

Yet, youthful energy could achieve more! From time to time, during the community's Eucharistic celebrations, an invitation to a vocational gathering would be presented.

Following that fateful news, I began to hear the echo of that invitation.

I will recount the experience that profoundly marked my heart. On the first anniversary of the death of Father Ezekiel Ramin, who was murdered in Cacoal, in Rondonia, the youth group of my parish organised a prayer vigil.

That night, the church was packed yet silent, plunged in darkness with the lights off. Suddenly, the projected image of the young man’s body, arms outstretched, lying on the dirt road, riddled with bullets and covered in blood, pierced my heart like an arrow.

I had to do something!

From that vigil onwards, I accepted the first vocational invitation presented in the church; everything either began anew or maybe continued on its path. There were other options, but the Comboni challenge to give one’s life for the mission beyond borders, following the example of Ezekiel Ramin, proved stronger and more compelling.

I left everything behind to follow Jesus Christ in the Church and within the family of the Comboni Missionary Sisters. Thirty-eight years have now passed, spent across Eritrea, the United States, South Sudan, and Brazil.

The witness of Father Ezekiel Ramin’s martyrdom was a seed that died to bring forth life. He lived, and continues to live, through the missionary service that the Church offers to the world, fulfilling the missionary mandate of Jesus himself: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15).

Sr. Sandra Amado, Comboni Missionary Sister