Fr. Horacio Perez, s.x.

Journey to Xaverian Priesthood and beyond...

Fr. Horacio Perez (from Focus on Mission)

Fr. Horacio Perez, after completing his Theological studies in Chicago, was ordained a priest on Aug. 23rd in Tepatitlan, Jal. Mexico.  Here he shares a bit about his journey to the priesthood, that brought him from his initial studies in Mexico, to Theology in Chicago, a two-year pastoral experience in the Amazon region of Brazil, a one-year deaconship at St. Therese Chinese Mission, the priesthood ordination, and his first mission assignment to Mozambique.

 

It has been almost 18 years since the day I began my missionary adventure. It all started when a “Xaverian missionary” (Fr. Jorge Alvarado) came to our classroom, showed us some videos on some of the activities that missionaries do in so many countries around the world. He also shared with us the way in which missionaries live their lives and how they proclaim the good news of Jesus.

 

That day I knew I wanted to be a missionary. I was just 12 years of age when I left my family and my friends to go to the seminary in Arandas, a small town located just 50 miles far from my home town (Tepa, Jalisco) in Mexico. 

 

Thinking back on all those joyful years of formation, studies, ministry and uncountable experiences, I realized that it was not only a warming up for the journey but the journey of mission itself.

“I’m extremely happy and I can’t wait to get to my new assignment – Mozambique – to continue my missionary journey with faith, joy and hope.”

 

During all these years there have been some very significant moments that have shaped and energized me to continue walking in my vocation such as, the day I arrived at the seminary and I was welcomed by the Xaverian missionaries in 1984; the celebration of my first religious vows in 1991 in which I began a more serious commitment to my vocation; the coming to the US to study theology and the encounter with this culture which opened my mind to the wider world; my two year-experience of mission in the Amazons in the north of Brazil that gave me a very real taste of mission; and finally, my experience here in Chinatown, especially this year as deacon in St. Therese Catholic Mission in Chicago.

 

I have to be honest and recognize that during this period of my formation and ministry has been both, a real and difficult challenge and a wonderful and joyful experience.

 

It wasn't easy

Living in two different places (in the theology house in Hyde Park in the south side of Chicago four days a week and in the parish during the weekends); Studying theology at Catholic Theological Union and at the same time helping out in the parish in some of the pastoral activities and daily tasks; getting to know the interesting and rich Chinese culture; working and dealing with completely new and different people; preaching in a language that was not my native tongue; these and many other reasons, made of my deaconate to be a beautiful challenging experience and a more exiting adventure.

 

It was wonderful.

It was an immense blessing and a “triple happiness” to have the opportunity of being among the priests and parishioners of this community, as a deacon, as friend and as a servant.

 

I, not only learned a lot from the wisdom and the long missionary experience of my Xaverian brothers Fr. Michael and Fr. Aniello, but also I learned so much from the warm welcoming, surprising generosity, immeasurable patience, amazing commitment, and from the unconditional friendship of the parishioners of this community and from the children of our catholic school with whom I shared some of my time as well.

 

Unfortunately, in the journey of life one cannot stop for too long, even if what we see, touch, and experience is beautiful and pleasant, one needs to continue walking. My next stop will be in August 23 in my hometown where (God’s willing) I will be ordained a priest. I give thanks to God, to my parents, relatives, formators, friends, benefactors and all those people who accompanied me and prayed for me and for vocations to the priesthood, religious and missionary life.

 

Just couple of weeks ago I received the news of my next destination after my ordination. I was asked to go to Mozambique in the western part of Africa, to work with other Xaverian missionaries and to witness our faith in Jesus in that part of the world.

 

I’m extremely happy and I can’t wait to be there and continue my missionary adventure with faith joy and hope that this journey may end only in paradise.  God bless you all.

 

Fr. Horacio Perez (from Focus on Mission) » More