For Deacon Mauro Sanchez, his ordination to the priesthood will be much different than his ordination to the transitional diaconate, which was held last June at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.

His priestly ordination for the diocese will be held on July 9 at his home parish in Querendaro, Mexico. Bishop Walker Nickless will concelebrate the ordination Mass. After being ordained, Father Sanchez will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on July 10 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

Deacon Sanchez attended high school seminary at Seminario Menor de Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Morelia, Mexico. In the states, he attended Conception (Mo.) Seminary and St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, Colo.

“I think that the priesthood is a difficult vocation and involves a lot of sacrifice, but is one of the best ways to serve people and to be always close to God while doing the job he gave everyone (spreading the Gospel on earth),” said Deacon Sanchez. “I would like to become a priest because I think that God is calling me to be one. I really like what priests do.”

At his ordination to the transitional diaconate, Deacon Sanchez confessed to “a roller coaster of emotions” that accompanied the ordination.

The joy for Deacon Sanchez arrived when he took his place next to Bishop Nickless, following the imposition of hands, the advancement to the Order of Deacon.

“It was that moment when I just could not believe it was real,” he said. “I was seated in the chair next to the bishop and I could not believe it.”

Last year’s ordination was also a somber moment for Deacon Sanchez because his mother and a good majority of his family, still in Mexico, were unable to attend the festivities.

Family support

For his priestly ordination, Deacon Sanchez’s “natural family” and his “second family” will be able to attend.

“We are very grateful to Mauro’s family for sharing their son with us,” said Bishop Nickless. “He has been in seminary formation for several years. We are grateful for the time he has been away from his family and given so much time and effort to becoming a priest for the Diocese of Sioux City.”

Since Deacon Sanchez has a large extended family, this is one way of thanking him, the bishop noted.

“We are happy to go down there to thank his family,” said Bishop Nickless. “We are so grateful the Cardinal Archbishop (Alberto Suárez Inda) has agreed to let his auxiliary bishop (Carlos Suárez Cázares) do the ordination, since I can’t speak Spanish. It is a wonderful opportunity for him and for his family and friends to be there.”

The bishop added this is also an opportunity for the small parish to have an ordination and first Mass by one of their own.

“We can express our gratitude to all of them for the prayers and support they have given Mauro along the way as well,” said Bishop Nickless. “It was a matter of convenience. I am sure his mom appreciates not having to travel.”

Pilgrimage

Twenty-four pilgrims from the diocese, including Joanne Fox, Catholic Globe editor, will travel to Mexico for the ordination with Canterbury Pilgrimages. Priests from the diocese will also travel to Mexico for the ordination.

This is, in part, a pilgrimage for the Year of Mercy, since the Mass of Thanksgiving will be at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“I am very pleased people are willing to make the sacrifice and show support for Mauro, especially the priests who are going,” said Bishop Nickless. “It is a great sign of support to one of their brothers that they are going down to share with him.”

An ordination, he added, is an exciting time for the diocese and for the priests.

Attending ordination

About 10 years ago Father Brian Hughes, who was vocations director at the time, traveled to Mexico to recruit young men to be priests in the Diocese of Sioux City, including Deacon Sanchez.

When Father Hughes, who is now pastor at St. Mary’s in Spirit Lake, met Deacon Sanchez, the priest witnessed “a positive, enthusiastic kid who was a leader in his group. He was very devoted, hardworking and had a spiritual side to his personality.”

Father Hughes will be among the priests who will attend Deacon Sanchez’s ordination. According to Father Shane Deman, current director of vocations, there will be about 10 priests from the diocese at the ordination and seminarian Pedro Pablo.

“I have met his family on a number of occasions and I like Morelia (Deacon Sanchez’s hometown),” said Father Hughes. “I just want to be down there to support him and celebrate with his family.”

Offering advice to Deacon Sanchez as he prepares to be ordained a priest, Father Hughes said, “Stay close to Jesus. Always remember your prayer life and be humble.”

“I am conscious of the fact that Mauro, like several others of our foreign students like (Father) David Esquiliano, is leaving his family to come and minister here,” said Father Hughes. “That is a breathtaking thing. It is important for people to know they are committing to live here for the rest of their lives away from their family. It is important that we recognize that David Esquiliano and Mauro Sanchez have really given themselves over to the mission of the church.”