On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the priestly ordination of Friar Oscar David GAÓN MARTÍNEZ took place at the Conventual Franciscan Church of San Antonio de Padua in Santo Domingo, Ecuador.
The liturgy was not only a personal celebration for the newly ordained priest, but also an important event for the Conventual Franciscan community and for all of the local faithful. The celebration coincided with the 30th anniversary of the presence of the Conventual Franciscans in Ecuador from the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Poland (Gdańsk).
The ordination was presided over by the Most Reverend Bertram Víctor WICK ENZLER, Bishop of Santo Domingo en Ecuador. In his homily, he emphasized the practical dimension of the priesthood, highlighting its foundation in service to others. He urged the newly ordained priest to remember the poor in his ministry, inspired by the attitude of St. Francis, and to always remain close to the people entrusted to him and to be sensitive to their spiritual and material needs. He encouraged the assembled faithful to pray constantly for vocations in service to God and for new, holy hearts that are dedicated to the Church.
The Minister Provincial, Friar Wojciech KULIG, also spoke, calling attention to the importance of spiritual fidelity and continually returning to the sources of one’s vocation: “May every Mass you celebrate be as deep and full of love as today’s Mass,” he said.
Another special moment was an address from the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI. He offered his warmest wishes to the new priest and at the same time expressed his gratitude to God for the three decades of presence in Ecuador by the Conventual Franciscan friars of Poland. “It was here, thirty years ago, in Santo Domingo, that the history of the Conventual Franciscan mission of the friars of Poland began, a mission which today bears abundant fruit,” he noted.
During the liturgy, as well as at the end, our deceased confrere Friar Mirosław KARCZEWSKI, was mentioned several times. He was killed in 2010 for his courageous defense of the truth, his fight for justice and for protecting young people from the dangers of drugs. His martyrdom continues to be a living testimony of courage and dedication, which serves as a model for future generations of missionaries.
The ordination in Santo Domingo was not only the beginning of Friar Oscar’s priestly journey, but also a sign of hope for the entire community. This day has been written into the history of the local parish and the entire Franciscan mission, bringing with it a spirit of gratitude and apostolic zeal.
Friar Robert KOZIELSKI, Provincial Secretary for the Missions
