Fr. John Alexander Avellaneda, CSV, was ordained a priest by Bishop Carlos Alberto Correa Martínez, Bishop of Apartadó, at Parroquia San Viator in Bogotá, Colombia, on Saturday.
Fr. John consecrates the Eucharist during his first Mass on Sunday.
Many Viatorians gathered for the ordination Mass – and Fr. John’s first Mass the next morning – and Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Provincial, concelebrated Mass with Provincial Councilors Fr. Edgar Suárez, CSV, and Fr. Tom von Behren, CSV, and several Viatorian priests.
“When the bishop anointed my hands, I understood that my hands no longer belong to me. These palms will lift the Body of Christ, absolve those who come to me broken, and anoint the forehead of those who are ill,” Fr. John said. “When I put on the stole and chasuble, I felt two centuries of Viatorians embracing me. I do not walk alone. As Fr. Querbes reminds us, teach the faith, though it may cost you your life.”
During the ordination Mass, Viatorian priests imposed their hands on John in blessing and offered fraternal embraces following his ordination. Clockwise from top left: Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Fr. Juan Carlos Ubaque, CSV, Fr. Pedro Herrera, CSV, and Fr. Tom von Behren, CSV.
“John exhibited both humility and gratitude as his family, friends, and brothers in community celebrated the generosity of his answer to Christ’s call to be a disciple and to serve the people of God,” Fr. Mark said. “Our lives and the ministry of the Church are both wonderfully enriched by his yes.”
Fr. John professed first vows in 2019. In his first seven years of religious life, he has ministered in Viatorian schools and undertaken theological studies and priestly formation. Fr. John spent the last few years in the US, where he completed his theological studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, studied English, and practiced English-language ministry, including a temporary stint teaching Spanish at Saint Viator High School and an appearance on our Viatorian Voices podcast to share about Colombia.
Last year, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Christopher Glancy, CSV, at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Bourbonnais, IL, where he served his diaconate year. MBVM Pastor Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV, and MBVM Parochial Vicar Fr. Moses Mesh, CSV, traveled to Colombia to join in for the weekend after mentoring and living with Fr. John during his diaconate. Fr. Moses, a native of Belize who is multilingual, relished working with him. “Br. John has said, ‘Brother, I will need your help.’ And I said, ‘That’s what we’re here for! We’re your mentors, your teachers, your brothers,’” Fr. Moses said during Fr. John’s diaconate. “He wants me to help him with pronunciation and preaching – he really wants to learn.”
The weekend was a great time for hospitality and fraternity, among Viatorians (including nearly all Colombian Viatorians and several from the US), with men in Viatorian formation, and with parishioners, friends, and neighbors.
Fr. John endeared himself to our American brothers and communities where we minister, particularly because of his gentle spirit and great sense of humor. “John Alexander has a fearless capacity to take up challenges that would give other people pause. His willingness to come to the United States, learn English, study at CTU, and do his diaconate at Maternity BVM shows his great confidence in himself and trust in how the Spirit is leading him in life,” Fr. Mark said. “Some wags in the province would also point out that his ability to give as good as he gets from Br. Michael Gosch shows exemplary good humor.”
Fr. John will remain in his native Colombia to continue his Viatorian religious life in priesthood. Fr. Juan Carlos Ubaque, CSV, is preparing to move to Rome for special studies, where he will join a Viatorian cohort of formation directors in ongoing education. So, Fr. John has begun supporting vocation ministry and will soon succeed Fr. Juan Carlos as Coordinator of Vocation Ministry for the Foundation of Colombia.
Here, Graciela, Fr. John’s mother, blesses him.
Over the weekend, many approached Fr. John for first blessings, beginning with Bishop Correa who profoundly knelt before Fr. John in the sanctuary at the end of Mass, and Fr. John’s mother, Graciela Mendoza Santander.
“I know already I am not what I was before. Now, I am padre (father), and this word weighs on me yet embraces me at the same time,” Fr. John said. “I was not ordained for myself. I was ordained for others. I know that in all that is coming to me that Christ promises me that I will never become empty.”
The Viatorian turnout was amazing! Back row: Fr. Frank Enciso, CSV; Provincial Councilor Fr. Edgar Suárez, CSV; Provincial Superior Fr. Mark Francis, CSV; Bishop Carlos Alberto Correa Martínez; Fr. John Alexander Avellaneda, CSV; Provincial Councilor Fr. Tom von Behren, CSV; Fr. Alain Ambeault, CSV; Fr. Fredy Santos, CSV ; Fr. Juan Carlos Ubaque, CSV; Br. Carlos Suárez, CSV; middle row: Fr. Fredy Contreras, CSV; Fr. Gustavo López, CSV; Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV; (beside a local priest) Fr. Moses Mesh, CSV; Br. Juan David Ramirez, CSV; Fr. Pedro Herrera, CSV; Fr. Edwin Ruiz, CSV; Fr. Dan Lydon, CSV; Fr. Carlos Claro, CSV; Pre-Novice Ángel Felipe Vásquez; front row: Br. Carlos Flórez, CSV; Br. P. Enrique Medina, CSV; (beside a local priest) Fr. Alejandro Adame, CSV; Fr. Felipe Montes, CSV; parish master of ceremonies Jorge Rincón.