SANTIAGO
JAVIER
MATAMOROS
My name is Santiago Javier Matamoros; I was born on September 4, 2003. I grew up in Newark, New Jersey, until 2015, my family was sent to the Missio Ad Gentes in Philadelphia. I come from a family of eight. I am the fifth of the eight siblings, four boys, and four girls. My father is from Ecuador, and my mother is from Germany. In the mission, we rely on the providence of God in times of suffering and hardships, and usually, this is what bring the families closer. Before arriving in the seminary, I believe that happiness was out in the world. I was very close to dropping everything that God had given me; however, thanks to the catechists and the brothers and sisters of my community of the Neocatechumenal Way, I was given a chance to go to the seminary. I saw this as God trying to tell me that happiness does not come from the world, it comes from Him. Therefore, I arrived at the seminary on September 21, 2021, and I am currently studying Philosophy at the Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. I like to play sports, especially soccer and basketball, practice instruments, and learn new languages in my free time. I am grateful to God for bringing me to the seminary and forming me in to a Christian man. I am also thankful for the community back home because, thanks to their prayers, I can continue my formation in the seminary.
