Seminarian from Mexico celebrates Independence Day as U.S. citizen

Alex Ascencio spent the Fourth of July alongside fellow Americans at Arena Park last weekend. Unlike most of the people there, he was celebrating his first Independence Day as a U.S. citizen.

Ascencio, 22, has spent most of his life in Mexico, but he has been a permanent resident of the U.S. since 1992. He began the naturalization process at the end of January and was sworn in as a U.S. citizen in June in Kansas City, Mo.

Ascencio said he was excited to celebrate his first Fourth of July as a citizen.

"I was singing and I was, I mean, I was thinking you know now I'm an American, and I'm like a regular citizen. So this is going to be my country where I will live ... and I will have my future," he said.

As Ascencio grew up, his father traveled back and forth from Mexico to California for jobs. He said his father often worked long hours and night shifts in California factories to provide for his family. When his father was granted permanent resident status through the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, he applied for residency for the whole family.

"He did too much for us, for my family," Ascencio said.

Growing up in Arandas, near Guadalajara, Mexico, Ascencio would play soccer with the local seminarians after catechism classes. He said he liked the way the young seminarians conducted themselves, which encouraged him to begin studying to become a Roman Catholic priest at 14.

During a break from his studies, Ascencio worked at a restaurant in Branson, Mo., where his sister and brother live. After getting to know some local priests and seeing the needs of the Hispanic community in the U.S., he decided to enroll at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Mo.

Before Ascencio began college two years ago, he spoke no English. Although he is now comfortable with the language, he said adjusting to life in a new country was a challenge.

"The first year I was homesick and also sometimes shy, you know, because it was not my country," he said.

Ascencio said it was particularly difficult to be away from home when his grandfather died and he could not attend the funeral.

At the same time, a new home meant new experiences. Ascencio said he was excited when he saw snow for the first time two years ago. He also said he thinks people in the U.S. tend to be more open than people in his hometown.

"People here in the United States, to me, they are very friendly," he said.

Ascencio has spent the past two summers in Cape Girardeau at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, where he helps minister to Hispanic parishioners.

On Saturday, Ascencio left for Mexico to visit family and friends. He will return to Conception in August. Although he said it is difficult to be far away from his roots, he is committed to his new home.

"You have to know that this is going to be your first country," Ascencio said.

astephens@semissourian.com

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