What better way to celebrate the Feast of Blessed Basile Moreau on January 20 than for one of his spiritual sons to profess his Final Vows. This was the case in Mexico where the final profession of Mr. Ángel A. Lázaro de la Cruz, C.S.C., took place at Nuestra Madre Santísima de la Luz Parish in Guadalupe, Nuevo León.
Fr. Thomas Zurcher, C.S.C., Director of Formation and Director of the Holy Cross Community in Mexico (which is a part of the Congregation's United States Province of Priests and Brothers), presided and preached at the Mass.
Following Holy Communion, Fr. William Lies, C.S.C., Superior of the United States Province, who was unable to travel for the celebration due to Covid-19 restrictions, joined the assembly via the Internet to express his gratitude and blessing for Ángel.
Mr. Angel Alberto Lazaro de la Cruz was born in Comalcalco, Tabasco, Mexico, on August 2, 1987, and is one of 10 children. Ángel professed his First Vows on January 7, 2015, at the Holy Cross Novitiate in Huáycan, Perú. He then returned to Monterrey, Mexico, to finish his philosophical studies before going to the Holy Cross House of Formation in Santiago, Chile, in 2018, to begin his theological studies.
Ángel is a gifted pastoral minister and looks forward to being a “missionary priest” in the spirit of Pope Francis. He will now return to Santiago, Chile, to continue his theological studies in preparation for his Ordination as a deacon.
Read about the Ministries of Holy Cross in México
Although government restrictions limit the number of people for such gatherings, six of Ángel’s family members were able to attend the ceremony, as well all of the Holy Cross Priests, Sisters, and the men in formation in México. Representing the District of Chile-Peru, was Fr. Daniel Panchot, C.S.C., who is a member of the formation team, and Mr. Gabriele Fuentes, C.S.C., a Novitiate classmate of Ángel’s.
Many others from Boston to Santiago watched the Mass live via YouTube.
Two small dinner parties were held in Ángel’s honor, and a much larger fiesta is planned in the future when restrictions for celebrations are no longer necessary.