On Saturday, July 12, it was a particularly grace-filled day for the community of Holy Name of Mary Church in San Dimas, California, as Juan Carlos Martínez sscc was ordained a priest after years of service as Director of Pastoral Ministry in that same parish. The celebration was presided over by Bishop Brian Nunes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for the San Gabriel Pastoral Region, who led the liturgy with deep beauty and solemnity. Also concelebrating was the Provincial Superior, Lane Akiona sscc. In his homily, the bishop highlighted Juan Carlos’ “attitude of gratitude” and exhorted him to live his priesthood “with joy, so that others may also be inspired to follow Jesus.”
The celebration was rich in symbolism and emotion, with a liturgy carefully prepared with friends and members of the congregation. The readings, proclaimed by people close to the new priest, deeply echoed a vocational call, especially the passage from Samuel: “Here I am, Lord, your servant is listening.” Juan Carlos expressed his thanks to the community, saying: “You transformed me… you made something beautiful out of something broken. Bring one another to the glory of God.”
The ceremony was attended by family, friends, faithful from different cultures, members of the sscc secular branch, Salesian sisters, and brothers from the South Pacific. The community rejoiced in the gift of a new shepherd for God’s people. A particularly moving moment was the blessing that the new priest imparted to his parents, Carmelo and Julia.
Video link: https://goo.su/yCrF
07/13/2025