Rev. Rudy Vela, SM, D. Min.

Q. How old are you?
A. I am celebrating the 17th anniversary of my 39th birthday.

Q. Where were you born?
A. San Antonio, Texas

Q. What is your educational background?
A. I have a doctorate with a concentration in "Cross-Cultural Ministries," from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. My Marianist educational background has prepared me for teaching, lecturing, facilitating and pastoring. I have also served nationally as the program director and faculty member at the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas. I hold a master’s in the Science of Administration (MSA) from University of Notre Dame and a master’s of Divinity from St. Michael´s College, Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto. My sabbatical studies in Missiology took me to the Pontifical Gregorian University, and to San Anselmo, the Pontifical for Liturgical Studies in Rome. I have also been a missionary in Lima, Peru.

Q. What is your current ministry? What does your work involve?
A. I am assistant professor of theology at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. I serve as the director for St. Mary’s University’s Spain Study Abroad Program at La Universidad de Alcalá, Colegio de los Trinitarios, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Estudios Norteamericanos (IUIEN), where I taught during the Spring semesters of 2004 and 2005. Other appointments at St. Mary's University include the President’s Peace Commission and Strategic Initiatives in International Education Committee.

Q. What is your first childhood memory of wanting to become a religious?
A. I do not recall any childhood memory of wanting to become a religious. As a child, the only religious I recognized were nuns, and as a child I did not find their way of being appealing. As a matter of fact, I did not even know that they were called “religious.” They were “las monjitas” (the nuns). I remember the priests from our parish, but again, I did not find their way of being inviting. They were outsiders, Belgium Missionhurst priests.

Q. Who supported you in your journey to becoming a religious?
A. Some of my classmates who were also exploring the possibility of becoming Marianists. This was during my years at Central Catholic High School. I got accepted to Central from a public junior high school. The young brothers who were doing their student teaching at Central were approachable, professional, and always invited us to join them in prayer and to visit with them at St. Mary’s, where they were in what was called, “Scholasticate” (University formation community). My parents were not against me becoming a religious, but they wanted me to have the opportunities they never had, and religious life was not on their list. Once I spoke to them about my desire to become a Marianist, they supported me wholeheartedly. They knew the brothers and were confident that I would be happy. That was 37 years ago. My parents took in my Marianist brothers and looked upon them as family.

Q. Where did you first meet the Marianists?
A. When I was accepted to Central Catholic High School, in 1967. Back then the majority of my teachers were Marianist brothers and priests, and the administrators were all Marianists also. My family had close friends, extended family, who had sons attendeding Central. Central was the best private Catholic School in San Antonio. The Marianists placed their lives into that school, and we were expected to invest ours into Central during our time there.

Q. What revelations have you had about spirituality since joining the Marianists?
A. This is a loaded question to ask a Marianist practical theologian. The revelations are always ongoing and evolving and enriched with the many opportunities I have for doing theological reflection, in my community and ministry as a professor, preacher, and presenter. I would say that my Marianist quest has been about a fulfilling and authentic life that involves pondering Mary’s “Yes”. Her fiat and Magnificat is about taking the beliefs and values of a God that is going to do wonderful things for her, because of her “Yes”. Mary’s “Yes” animates-gives life to Jesus. Her “Yes” provides the “breath” and “spirit” and “fire” for our lives as Marianists. William Joseph Chaminade wanted Marianist spirituality to involve the whole person (body, mind, soul, relationships), the entire fabric of one’s life and ministries. I would add that spirituality involves experiencing and knowing God (not just knowing about God). Mary teaches us this when she sings her canticle. A Marianist spirituality today is about questing, getting out there and making a difference.

Q. What advice do you give young adults who are discerning their vocation?
A. Don’t be afraid to quest in this direction!

Q. What is a typical day like for you?
A. It begins and ends in and with my community. Get up and pray together, breakfast and talk about what is going on in our lives and in the world. Head off to the university, teach, meetings, and more meetings. Home, rest, relax together, pray, eat and laugh about life, TV programs, sports or just plain conversation. We have a number of university events and host various groups, from trustees to students. There is always something going on in terms of practicing hospitality and welcome.

Q. What are your hobbies?
A. I like to read, travel and take in creative art forms, such as theater, movies, concerts, dance and cultural celebrations. Swimming is also a way of relaxing for me.

Q. What are you currently reading?
A. Just started, MOZARABS, HISPANICS, AND THE CROSS, by Raúl Gómez-Ruiz. Raúl is a colleague and friend who specializes in Moazrabic Ritual. I had the pleasure of traveling with him during Holy Week in Toledo, Spain, where he based his research for this book. That journey was a fascinating experience, and the book is intriguing reading about religion and conquest in an Iberian Catholic tradition that dates from the first millennium of Christianity. At night before going to sleep I am reading a Clive Clustner novel. I enjoy action, adventure, historical stuff. I have read most of his NUMA series.

Q. Who are your role models?
A. I have many role models, from different parts of the world. They are men and women of integrity who know how to laugh and cry. They are people with a passion for building the common good. Some saints, some sinners, some living and some have passed on to eternal life.

Q. What inspires you in your ministry?
A. The people I serve.