BELMONT — Nine seminarians of the Diocese of Charlotte participated in a two-week Spanish immersion program June 8-19 at the new St. Joseph College Seminary campus.
This is the first time the program was conducted in the diocese. The program is a supplement to two years of in-class studies.
Carmen Garmilla, a Spanish teacher at Charlotte Catholic High School, instructed the men in vocabulary, grammar and culture.
“I am really amazed by their disposition to learn,” Garmilla said. “The level of respect, willingness to learn and participation is incredible.
They are very fine young men, who have a true desire to understand not only the language, but the culture and the people.”
Each day began with Mass offered in Spanish, and for 12 hours the men conversed only in Spanish.
Meals were prepared by seminarian Anthony del Cid Lucero, from Guatemala, featuring traditional dishes from Spanish-speaking countries.
Father Alfonso Gamez, parochial vicar of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, also sat in on some of the sessions, providing his insights.
— Photo provided