Father José Humberto Negrete Lezo told Aleteia about his experience as a blind priest, sharing how it has impacted his life and ministry
Of the five senses, sight is the most appreciated by human beings, as it allows us to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation; For this reason, Aleteia spoke with Fr. José Humberto Negrete Lezo, priest who is blind due to illness.
Seven years without seeing
Father Humberto, originally from Irapuato, Guanajuato, in Mexico, was born on May 4, 1968. He was ordained a priest on July 27, 1996. Several years ago he became ill with diabetes – which became more complicated – to the point of affecting his optic nerve and lose sight completely. “I had been losing it nine years before, and I haven’t had vision for seven years,” he says.
However, his life experience has focused him more on the spiritual part. “He has made Me more sensitive to those who suffer, to the sick, to those who ask Me to listen to them, to those who ask Me for a little of My time. Time is for them,” he comments, because within his limitation, he moves forward.
A difficult loss
The priest confesses that at first it was very difficult, his attitude was angry, not wanting to submit to the will of God. “Time is what has been calming me, calming me,” he says. “Little by little, I am not saying that I have already overcome this human attitude of contempt for suffering,” he emphasizes, “but we must recognize its divine meaning.”
He says that, looking coldly at his situation, and from a human point of view, his life has lost meaning “because one isolates oneself, one sometimes feels discriminated against by one’s own brother priests, but assuming it from a theological, divine vision, that is a gain,” he says convinced, “I have won more souls for God, without eyes, than with eyes.”
“I have won more souls for God, without eyes.”
Rectory of the Lord Bound to the Column
How do you celebrate the holy Mass?
Despite his disability, he is in charge of a rectory and has not had any impediments to celebrating Mass. He has an assistant who stands next to him during the Eucharist to read from the Missal what he repeats into the microphone. Additionally, the liturgy team reads the Gospel and he explains the homily. And although there are ministers who help him, he also distributes communion. “My disability is visual, not motor,” he says with a smile.
In the face of suffering: cry and commend yourself
As a human, he understands that many people go through the same suffering as him. To encourage these people, the father says that it is very difficult to take the step from being able to see to not being able to do so. “Of observing the colors, the people, everyday life and suddenly, not seeing anything,” he explains.
And he concludes by expressing that “it is a very difficult situation. Live your grief. Cry at his eyes, at the loss of his sight, as if you had lost a friend or a loved one. But, after that, entrust yourselves a lot to God. A disabled person, without the Lord, cannot advance… he cannot assimilate the greatness of the Lord, now, in bodily diminution.”
