Héctor Devesa was ordained a Catholic deacon last November. He says he experienced a particularly special Holy Week at the Vatican.
On December 31, Deacon Héctor was rehearsing for Mass at his residence Belagua when he heard the news of Pope Benedict XVI's death. The next day, he paid his respects to the Pope he knew well.
HÉCTOR DEVESA
Deacon
I paid homage to Pope Benedict XVI by singing the 'Ite missa est,' which he sang on Good Friday here in St. Peter's Basilica. After the Pope sang, I greeted him since he had lived in the same residence as me. He recognized me and said:“The great singer!”
This past Good Friday, Héctor voiced Jesus in the Passion Gospel. The director of the Sistine Chapel specifically asked him to read Jesus' part. Once in St. Peter's Basilica for the service, he was closer to Pope Francis than anyone else.
HÉCTOR DEVESA
Deacon
On this occasion, the Pope had just left the hospital. The three deacons who are going to ask for the blessing approach the Pope, but it is the one who plays Jesus who is in the center. So, when he asks the Pope for his blessing, he is about three feet away from him. I was able to look into his eyes. I had the same impression as with John Paul II. I was struck by the depth of the Pope's gaze which revealed a man of great mystery and supernatural sense.
For Héctor, his way of understanding faith is enhanced through music—an activity that he believes has the power to unite all.
DA
TR: OJ
