Bishop Raul Vera Lopez Op is a wonderful, spiritual Dominican priest who has dedicated his life to help the poor and the unwanted.  He is the co-Bishop of Chiapas, Mexico living in San Cristobal, a remote city in the moutains in southern Mexico.

I learned much from Bishop Raul's love of God, his never ending search for truth and justice.  He and I became friends in Italy and later he became my Bishop, with me taking my vows with him in Mexico under the approvial of the Master of the Dominican order Fr Timothy Radcliffe.  Bishop Raul's support of me and my work brought great happiness to my life.  I take my vows very seriously and my committment to the Dominican order.

Bishop Raul helped me to live my vocation more fully, teaching me more about the love of God and the service to all people... even if it is hard to do.  I lived in Mexico with the poor, learning more about their life.
Their simple lives, their smiles and their faith and hope gave me deeper meaning and a greater committment to serve God even if the work becomes so difficult that you are not sure how you can continue on.

Knowing that Bishop Raul is my Bishop and my friend has made this journey in life as a Dominican a great sense of happiness and thanksgiving. Bishop Raul came to the United States and blessed a prison dog program I stared in a prison in Wisconsin and he also came to visit the sisters where I live at the Community of the Resurrection in the State of Maine. He brought me Pablo to the United States, a man who lost both of his arms and I found him a doctor that would help him. Bishop Raul knows my good friends in Rome and we have met there several times.. all together to share about God and the work to help the poor.

It is different to have a Bishop so far away, yet he is so near to my life and to my friends making me so thankful to God for this great gift that He gave me.
 
 

The music playing is called "Walk of Life".  Even though Bishop Raul sees many sad things in life, he is always walking with a joyful spirit in his heart.

When I go through life carrying my heavy cross, it helps when there is music that keeps me moving forward.