The Augustinian Recollect Jose Francisco Oyanguren was ordained to the priesthood on May 1 at Colegio San Agustin in Valladolid (Spain).
The Order of Augustinian Recollects has a new priest. The Mexican religious Jose Francisco Oyanguren was ordained priest last May 1 in the Temple of Our Lady of Consolation of the Colegio San Agustin of the Augustinian Recollects in Valladolid (Spain). Accompanied by religious and by the hands of the Augustinian Recollect Bishop Eusebio Hernandez, the young man took another step in his vocational journey to which God has called him.
The prior provincial of the Province of St. Nicholas of Tolentine, the vicar of the Province of Our Lady of Candelaria in Spain and the general councilor of Spirituality and Formation were present in the Eucharist presided by the prelate of Tarazona, as well as other Augustinian Recollect religious and teachers of the Colegio San Agustin where he now works. The celebration was transmitted live.
In his homily, Bishop Hernandez reminded the new priest that this important moment is nothing more than the fruit of “the madness of God’s love for you”. “Every vocation is a gift from on high: never doubt, Francisco, that it is the Lord who has prepared this very moment, who has consecrated you to be sent to preach the Good News,” he said to the young man. The Bishop also asked José Francisco to remember in a special way all those who led him to Jesus: “All of them have been giving you this enormous warmth to appreciate the Word of God”.
As indicated in the ritual, the ordained priest prostrated himself in front of the altar for the imploration of the saints and then the ordaining bishop imposed his hands and consecrated José Francisco, before placing the priestly vestments on him and anointing him with the holy chrism.
At the conclusion of the celebration, the newly ordained priest emotionally addressed those present to thank God, his family and the people gathered there. “Thank you very much, Lord, I ask you to give me strength and encouragement when I can no longer do it,” he said.