Saturday, December 3, Fr. Jim Marvin Gutiérrez Agurto, C.S.C., was ordained to the priesthood in a Mass held at Fe y Alegría 25 School in Canto Grande, Peru, where he has served this year as a Deacon and Director of Campus Ministry. The Most Rev. Jorge Izaguirre, C.S.C., Bishop of the Prelatura of Chuquibamba, was the ordaining bishop.

It was the same place—the Coliseo Padre David Farrell, C.S.C.—where just under 10 months ago, on February 19, 2022, Fr. Jim professed his Final Vows in the Congregation and was ordained a deacon the next day, also by Bishop Izaguirre.

“A Vocation is always a gift from God and that a young person at this time wants to commit his life to serve God’s people and the Church is a sign of how God accompanies us,” says Father José Ahumada, C.S.C., Superior of the District of Chile-Peru. “Jim has many talents and may Father God teach him to grow in how to freely give what he has freely received.”

Learn more about the work of Holy Cross at Fe y Alegria 25 School

A large number of students and staff from the school came to the Ordination, including a big group of altar servers who had been trained by then Deacon Jim during the year. They joined other friends of the Congregation, members of Fr. Jim’s family, as well as many sisters, priests and brothers of Holy Cross in the celebration. Among the Holy Cross religious present was Br. Ronaldo Almeida, C.S.C., Superior of the District of Brazil.

The celebration after the Mass went well into the evening with dancing and music, as is the local custom.

Fr. Jim celebrated his first Mass the following day, Sunday, December 4, in the coliseum of Fe y Alegría 25 School. Once again, many members of the school community joined in the celebration.

Following his Ordination, Fr. Jim will continue working as the Director of Campus Ministry at Fe y Algería 25 and assisting in El Señor de la Esperanza Parish.