Carlos
E. Urbina, O.S.A.
When did you first meet the Augustinians and what prompted your vocation to the Order?
In 1995, when finishing my masters at Saint John’s University, Jorge Reyes, O.S.A., was in his pastoral year at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine in Jamaica, NY. Through my desire to work in a multicultural environment, I met Jorge at Jamaica. After graduating from Saint John’s, Jorge and I continued our friendship. Leaving New York, I began work in Amherst with the Diocese of Springfield, MA. In Amherst, I became sick and Jorge came to visit me and invited me to see his new ministry in Lawrence. It was a providential invitation, for a job opened up at Lawrence at the same time. I decided to interview for the job and became Director of Religious Education at Saint Mary’s in Lawrence. During this time, I was not thinking of returning to religious life, as I was once a Carmelite. I thought I was “fine.” While at Saint Mary’s, Art Johnson, O.S.A., asked me why I didn’t return to religious life. I didn’t want to hear it — I remained firm that I was “fine.”
In my third year in Lawrence, an elderly woman came up to me at said, “Why are you fighting with God? Don’t you know that God always wins?” She was right . . . two months later I applied to the Order.
What intrigues you about the Augustinian way of life?
Above all things — community. Both the Latino culture and the Augustinian way of life center around community, and this sense of community makes me feel at home in each and every Augustinian house. In difficult times, and even in disagreement, you are there for each other. The sense of community and family is still there, and that is a testament to our way of life.
What might attract someone to the Augustinian Order?
Vocations are there. People need to see us not necessarily for what we do, but for what we are. Our first ministry is really how we live. People can be attracted to community. When you live in a community you can truly be who you are. You feel a sense of home, and your energy is not channeled in keeping up your guard. At the end of the day, you are with your family. You can be who you are. It is liberating, relaxing and energizing. Thomas Merton says that “to become holy is to become who we are.” My hope is that as a community we gain a deeper understanding of who we are as Augustinians. It is who we are that will attract vocations.
What are you feeling as you prepare for your priestly ministry?
I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I am going to miss the fraternity and community at Augustinian College. As Augustinians, though, I realize that I will be at home in any community. I am very excited about continuing my ministry, and I view my ministry as a priest as a shared ministry. The laity and we are sharing one priesthood in Christ in two different ways. One goal in collaboration; a community of all!