Octavio Mendoza and Adelia Cruz de Mendoza say working through the difficulties in their own marriage led them to become members of the MCSP community in Columbus so they could inspire other couples facing problems.
MCSP is an abbreviation for the group’s Spanish name, Matrimonios Catolicos Servidores de la Palabra. This translates in English to Catholic Married Couples, Servants of the Word, an apostolate of the Missionaries of the Word (MSP), who serve the central Ohio Latino Catholic community. MCSP members help married couples discuss their concerns and conduct marriage preparation retreats.
Octavio is originally from Mexico City and Adelia is from Oaxaca, Mexico. They have two daughters and this year are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. They have been lay missionaries since 2015 and have been in Columbus since 2004.
They were raised in different ways, which created conflict in their marriage. Adelia said she came from a very devoted, traditional Catholic family. Octavio’s family was not as religiously observant. Their jobs and family commitments made it difficult for both to practice their faith in the first years after the birth of the children.
“We hit rock bottom, but God’s grace helped us,” Octavio said. Adelia often told her husband that she and her daughters were praying for him, and he said that when he realized their concern for him, it left him speechless.
A significant turning point in the family’s life came in 2009, when Adelia felt it was time for her daughters to make their first communion. Sisters belonging to the MSP order were offering Bible classes in Columbus to parents whose children were preparing for communion. Octavio and Adelia felt the need to know more about God and took the classes.
What they discovered during the course made them feel more in love with God. They also learned how to improve their lives as a couple through good communication. At the end of the sessions, they received a wooden cross of the Holy Spirit, renewed their baptismal vows and reaffirmed that they were children of God.
Later, they received a teaching guide, learned the Lectio Divina method of meditating, praying and reading the Scriptures and became part of the CERS community. CERS stands for Comunidad Evangelizadora para la Reconciliación y el Servicio, which means Evangelizing Community for Reconciliation and Service in English.
They made a commitment to “evangelize the laity to evangelize with the laity” and received a wooden cross with the letters CERS. When they renewed this promise in 2015 after three years, they received another cross made of metal, identifying them as Lay Servants of the Word, and a perpetual promise was made.
Since then, they have gone wherever God has called them to give others the tools they need to persevere.
The community celebrates Jesus and Mary in their titles of Our Lady of the Magnificat and Christ the Missionary. Members pray the Magnificat and focus on Our Lady’s words, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” They also meditate on the words of John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
They now have a new cross with the letters MCSP, representing their current apostolate. They have gone through trials and have persevered. Octavio said he was amazed to learn that 80 percent of Catholics think the Eucharist is not the living Christ but merely a symbol. He and he and his wife want to help others know the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Language once was a barrier for the couple, but now they can participate in English events that help them as married persons and practicing Catholics. “Sadly, in our diocese, there are not many events in the Spanish language so that more people can benefit from them,” she said.
Adelia thought that being a missionary was for younger people, but understands through her and her husband’s calling that it is never too late to help the church.
Octavio now is very loyal to his faith, ministry and prayer life. He and Adelia also like to dance and share that gift at retreats and other events. They serve the Church with joy, love, humility, and obedience and are an example for their daughters, other family members and the MCSP community.
As missionaries, they walk with couples and help them to know God more and embrace his love and mercy. They are willing to go with the Bible to evangelize wherever the Lord sends them and to spread love, hope, faith and compassion. That example has spread to their daughters, who are volunteers at the couple’s parish, Columbus Christ the King.
They try to create balance, prioritizing family and coordinating when and how to serve. Through their faith, the Lord blessed the family with unity and the gift to overcome challenges in life through prayer, trust and abandonment. Praying for and with the family is very important.
An important Scripture verse in Adelia’s life is 1 Corinthians 13:7 – “Love bears all things, believes all things, hope all things, endures all things.” She said it makes her realize that she and her husband need to always support each other to maintain their marriage and missionary life and that it requires an openness of mind and heart to accept God’s call.
Jessica Schira is communications director at Columbus Christ the King Church.