A star footballer has become a priest after finding God.
Ángel Gabriel Castro went on to represent his country at multiple international competitions.
But he swapped his footy boots for a clerical collar.
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As a young lad, the budding footballer joined the youth ranks at C.D. Olimpia, the most successful club in Honduran football.
Based in the capital Tegucigalpa, Ángel began to stand out for his speed and skills.
His dazzling performances led to him being selected for Honduras’ Under-17 team that qualified for the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea.
It was the first time Honduras had qualified for a U-17 World Cup.
He also played in the Pan American Games in Brazil the same year.
In 2009, he was called up to the Under-20 team that took part in the World Cup in Egypt.
Before each game, Ángel used to pray: “Lord, make me run this game as if it were my last, and always lead me to where you want me to be.”
He went on to represent clubs such as Olimpia, Deportes Savio, UPNFM, Real de Minas and Gimnástico in his home country.
However, despite a promising start in professional football, a family loss marked a profound change in his life, as reported by Need To Know.
The death of his paternal grandmother in 2015 led him to question his vocation in life and resume a passion that had been with him since childhood: religion.
That same year, he decided to join the Vocational Ministry, beginning a process that would completely transform his career path.
He said, “I had a good salary, I already had my life set up, but I felt that something was missing.”
In December 2018, he kicked his last ball.
One month later, at the age of 28, he formally began his training to become a priest, which takes between six and eight years.
He joined the Our Lady of Suyapa Major Seminary in Tegucigalpa.
Ángel said, “I decided to surrender to God’s will, which is what God wanted.”
He is now in his seventh year at the seminary and preparing to take charge of his own parish.
He said, “God has given me everything I need to continue on this journey.”
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