On Saturday, November 9, 2024, in the Parish of San Francisco de Borja, in the Apostolic Vicariate of Reyes, a great Redemptorist feast was celebrated with the priestly ordination. The three brothers: Álvaro Humberto Flores Paredes, Erick Yasmani Callaú Unari and Luis Fernando Rivero Lurici, were anointed and consecrated priests by the imposition of the hands of Mons. Estanislao Dowlaszewicz, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Santa Cruz.
Before the ordination rite, Bishop Dowlaszewicz addressed the assembly and recalled that there are three reasons for the celebration. The first reason is that November 9th marks the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, mother and head of all the Churches; a second reason is the 292nd anniversary of the foundation of the Redemptorist Congregation and the third reason is the joy for the ordination and consecration of the three young priests.
Bishop Estanislao added a fourth reason for his joy, namely the 40th anniversary of his priestly ordination: “There is no greater joy than to transmit the same grace of God that I have received and that I will now transmit to you by instituting you as pastors of the Church on pilgrimage to Bolivia.”
Fr. Boris Calzadilla Arteaga, Provincial Superior of the Redemptorist Missionaries of Bolivia and Peru, was commissioned to publicly ask the Bishop that the three deacons be ordained priests, assuring the congregation that they are worthy and prepared to receive the grace of the priestly ministry.
Before consecrating them as priests, Monsignor Dowlaszewicz addressed the candidates and parishioners, bringing greetings from Monsignor Eugenio Coter, Administrator Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Reyes, who was unable to attend the celebration.
He then underlined some fundamental aspects in the life of a priest, including:
“In the priesthood, like the disciples, we will be asked about love… ‘do you love me… do you love me more than these…?.‘ The life of a priest is a life of love for God and for others, so all your strength, all your power and all your time is to commit yourself to keeping the promise you make today.
I encourage you to take great care of the poor, to be close to them, to be merciful to those who are going through difficult times, may this ordination make you priests of the people, because you are priests taken from the people and placed for the people.
Finally, do not forget to listen to the people of God, be close to the people who walk and sometimes suffer, entrust them to God, be good, holy and faithful Redemptorist priests.”
After his words, Bishop Dowlaszewicz called them one by one to lay his hands on them and anointed them as priests of God and for His people.
A good number of diocesan priests of the Apostolic Vicariate of Reyes participated in the celebration and expressed the joy and communion of the local Church with these three new priests, two of whom already work in the Vicariate.
The Redemptorist brothers who work in Bolivia and some lay people were present despite the instability that Bolivia is experiencing, especially the various roadblocks in the country. Not even the distance and the socio-political problems prevented the arrival of priests, lay people and young people from Peru, who wanted to accompany Fathers Alvaro Humberto, Erick Yasmani and Luis Fernando Rivero Lurici, on this special day that marks the beginning of their priestly ministry.
The families of the three new priests accompanied, supported and donated their sons to the service of God; the expressions on their faces testified to the deep joy they felt in their hearts.
Father Luis Fernando had the task of expressing the feelings of the new priests and the word THANK YOU was repeated on several occasions along with the request for prayers, even if today their priestly life begins, it is essential to support them spiritually with prayer, thus increasing communion with the people of God.
May the Virgin Mary, who gave herself completely to God’s call, always support the ministry of Álvaro, Yasmani and Fernando, so that they may be good, holy and faithful priests in the footsteps of the Redeemer.
Fr. Boris Calzadilla Arteag, C.Ss.R.
Provincial superior
