On Saturday afternoon, November 9, 2024, the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, Friar Augusto Esteban URZÚA GONZÁLES became the first native friar of the Provincial Delegation in Chile to be ordained to the priesthood. The ordination took place at the Jesús de Nazaret Parish Church in Curicó, Chile.
His Eminence Cardinal Celestino AÓS BRACO, OFM Cap., Archbishop Emeritus of Santiago, Chile, presided over the celebration. Others present included the Most Reverend Galo FERNÁNDEZ VILLASECA, Bishop of Talca, Chile; the Minister Provincial of the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua (Northern Italy), Friar Roberto BRANDINELLI; the friars of the Delegation; the family and friends of Friar Augusto and many faithful from the parishes of Santiago and Curicó.
In his homily, the cardinal said: “Being a priest will not give you privileges or free you from your weaknesses. Being a Conventual Franciscan priest will make you more sympathetic to the defects and problems of others. Jesus Christ is our hope and wants you, as a Christian, to be hope for humanity. Moreover, he wants you, as a Franciscan Minor, to be hope for the other friars and, as a priest, to be a witness of hope for humanity.”
At the end of the celebration, Friar Augusto expressed joy and gratitude to the Lord for this calling. He thanked all those present for being with him on this very special occasion, adding: “Pray for me and pray for my priestly vocation, so that I may be a holy priest. If I am wrong, tell me.”
On Sunday, November 10, Friar Augusto celebrated his first Mass at his home Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Merced, in Curicó. Friar Maurizio BRIDIO gave a beautiful homily. In it, he emphasized the privilege of being chosen by the Lord to be his priest, and explained other aspects of being a Conventual Franciscan priest. On Sunday, November 17, Friar Augusto will celebrate another first Mass at the Jesús de Nazaret Parish Church in Curicó. On Sunday, November 24, he will celebrate a first Mass at the Inmaculada Concepción Shrine Parish in Santiago, Chile.
We thank the Lord for the long-awaited gift of this new friar priest, the first fruit after twenty-nine years of the Conventual Franciscan presence in Chile. May Friar Augusto be graced with a very fruitful ministry, following in the footsteps of the holy priests of our Order.
Friar Jack GINTING
