Monsignor Pedro Pablo Elizondo, LC, bishop of Cancún-Chetumal (Mexico), sent a clear message to the newly ordained Legionary priests: courage, determination, and mission. The Mass was marked by deep emotion, joy, and a special word to the families of the new priests: thank you for accompanying and supporting your children.
May 3, 2025 was a very special date for 23 new Legionary priests and the thousands of people who attended the ordinations that took place in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, an imposing structure, which is one of the four papal basilicas in Rome (the other three major basilicas are St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, and St. Mary Major ).
There, Fernando Bustos (Mexico), Hans Candell (El Salvador), Fernando Castro (Colombia), Jurandir De Oliveira (Brazil), Jerome Dejoie (France), Jonathan Da Cruz (Brazil), Luis Angel Espinosa (Mexico), Giovani Espinoza (Mexico), Peter Hemm (Germany), John Kenny (United States), Alfonso Leon (Colombia), Diego Lobo (Venezuela), Gregorio Mejia (Mexico), Adrian Olvera (Mexico), Camilo Palomino (Colombia), Jaime Plasencia (Mexico), Carlos Ramirez (Mexico), Leonardo Ramirez (Argentina), Mario Sandoval (Mexico), Hector Santos (Mexico), Javier Villar (Spain), Valentin Schmidts (Germany) and Adolfo Wissar (Venezuela) lived a life-changing experience—their priestly ordinations. There with them, families, friends, fellow Legionaries and fellow members of Regnum Christi celebrated with immense spiritual joy and profound gratitude during this Jubilee Year of Hope, and in the days leading up to the Conclave which will select the next successor of Saint Peter.
By 8 :00 am, two hours before the Mass was due to begin, the massive Basilica was already half full. The emotion that overwhelmed the men who walked into the Church as deacons was written on their faces as they were ordained and greeted their loved ones after the mass as priests. And rightly so, They have completed more than 10 years of formation in theology, philosophy, and humanities; they have carried out pastoral and apostolic work; and, perhaps most importantly, they have persisted in following the call God made to each of them, in their own time and in their own way, which meant renouncing many other worldly things. As did their families, letting go of a beloved child, all for God and the Church.
In his homily, Bishop Pedro Pablo Elizondo, LC, of Cancún-Chetumal, thanked each of the newly ordained priests for their dedication to God. “Thank you, brothers, for your years dedicated to the Lord. Thank you for your fidelity to God’s gift. Thank you for your courage and generosity, and thank you also to your fathers, your mothers, your siblings, and your family members who have supported you on this long journey in which you knew how to believe, hope, and love God’s gift. God will reward you with an abundance of his graces.” He also reminded them of a fundamental aspect of every Christian: “A vocation is born in prayer, matures in prayer, and bears fruit in prayer.”
Another aspect that Monsignor Pedro Pablo emphasized was that “the Church needs priests who know how to get out of themselves, out of their comfort zone. It needs priests who are neither well-placed nor accommodated. It needs priests who know how to create, who know how to undertake, who know how to have initiative, who know how to give everything for the mission with an overwhelming zeal for the salvation of souls. Pope Benedict XVI, in the moments of our greatest trial, in the hardest and most difficult moments, told us firmly and forcefully, settling doubts and concerns: there you will find a charism and the new emerging society must be saved.
The Church, in the midst of renewal, needs zealous and well-grounded priests, courageous, not well-off, not sedentary, who know how to take on new projects, have activity and initiative, who know how to give everything for the mission.”
The Mass and the rites involved with ordination (the presentation and election of the ordinands; the bishop’s address; the interrogation of the ordinands; the litany of the saints; the anointing with holy chrism; the distribution of the Gospels; the paten and chalice) took place amidst palable thanksgiving to God. As the Mass ended, the new priests came together for a group photo. At that moment, resounding applause from those present rang throughout the Basilica, a clear manifestation of the emotional intensity of the moment.
The thousands present poured out of the basilica to celebrate and receive the blessings of the new priests, It all ended amidst hugs, smiles, laughter and tears from family and friends. God’s promise had been fulfilled.
Original Spanish publication on the Legionaries of Christ International website.
