Wednesday, February 5, 2025, was a special day for the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. Two of its friars, Friar Bernardino LÓPEZ FRANCISCO and Friar José Manuel LUJANO MIRANDA, were ordained to the priesthood through the imposition of the hands of the Most Reverend Ramón CASTRO CASTRO, Bishop of Cuernavaca (state of Morelos), Mexico.
The ordinations took place at noon in the San Guillermo Abad Church in Totolapan (state of Morelos), where the new priests live and work as members of the San Antonio de Padua Friary and Novitiate. The liturgy was attended by the faithful of the local community and from other neighboring communities in the same parish territory where our friars perform pastoral ministry and where the new priests developed their formation and pastoral activities. The family members of both confreres were also present. They had to make a long journey, about 500 km (310 miles), in order to attend this special occasion. Both families come from the state of Guerrero. Others present included friars of the Province of Mexico, postulants and novices. Twenty-three friar priests concelebrated, along with some invited diocesan priests.
During his homily, the bishop demanded two things from the new priests: prayer and humility. He invited them to always be living witnesses in the midst of Mexican society, which is wounded by violence. One should also mention that Bishop CASTRO CASTRO is the current President of the Bishops’ Conference of Mexico.
The celebration was especially moving due to the many deep and meaningful moments during the rite of Ordination. After the Mass, everyone spent some convivial time together. As always, it took the new priests a long time to get to the fraternal table because so many people wanted to offer them their personal congratulations.
Friars Bernardino and Jose Manuel have prepared themselves and have already collaborated in the formation of the postulants, novices and temporary professed. They are expected to continue this gentle and important service within the Province. Let us, therefore, pray for them. May God keep them in His love and may their ministry be fruitful.
Friar Jorge HERNÁNDEZ DE LUNA
