On June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the Church of Saint Savior in Jerusalem joyfully welcomed the priestly ordination of three Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land: Fr. Saturnin Sadrac, Fr. Rito José Mendoza, and Fr. Juan David Rodríguez. In the presence of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Eminence Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, numerous friars and local faithful participated in this moment of grace, marked by deep reflection on the priestly vocation and service in the Holy Land.

Not protagonists, but instruments

Addressing the new priests, the Cardinal exhorted: “Do not make yourselves the protagonists of the priestly ministry, but be humble instruments of salvation, which is only in Christ.” He explained that the priest is called to “place at the center of his life not himself, but his relationship with Christ,” making room for prayer, the dignified celebration of the sacraments, and a lived testimony. “The sacraments are not your property or privilege; they belong to Christ and the Church. Let Christ’s person and the beauty of the Church shine in your ministry.”

Rocks for the community

The Cardinal echoed Jesus’ words to Peter: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.” He invited the new priests to also be “rocks” for their communities: “Your communities will take the form of Christ only if you are His image. They will be built on the rock of Peter if you remain united and faithful to that rock. There are no other ways. Any other reference in your priestly ministry, if not centered on Christ, will be vanity and remain sterile.”

The challenges of ministry

Carinal Pizzaballa did not hide the difficulties awaiting every ordained minister: “There will be days when this ministry that today fills you with joy will become burdensome, when loneliness and fatigue will weigh heavily. Your own time of the Passion will come… But it will become a path of salvation if you are inspired not by flesh and blood, but by God, if you make room for His Word of life, if the sacraments you celebrate nourish you first, before your communities, if your priestly life is built on a faithful relationship with Jesus.”

Integral service and hope

The homily also touched on the delicate balance between spiritual care and attention to material needs: “The poor will always be with you. And sadly, they are increasing. Woe to you if, under the pretext of caring for souls, you neglect their material needs. But woe to you as well if you reduce your ministry to only material needs. That suffering must also become your own. But you must bring into those realities not only a human response but the response that comes from God, the only one who can bring hope and consolation into such dramatic situations — Jesus Christ.”

A wish and a prayer

The Cardinal concluded with heartfelt wishes: “Will you be able to live this way? I sincerely hope so. We truly need such witnesses. May the Immaculate Virgin accompany you in your priestly ministry, and wherever you are called to serve, do not forget to pray also for this small Church of Jerusalem, so that it may continue in our troubled and dramatic context to witness our hope in Christ, the Son of the living God. Amen.”

Three stories, one vocation

The three new priests, from the Central African Republic, Venezuela, and Colombia, bring with them diverse backgrounds but one shared vocation: to be signs of hope and instruments of salvation for the Holy Land, in fidelity to the Gospel and the Franciscan charism.

Fr. Saturnin Sadrac, originally from the Central African Republic, began his Franciscan journey in 2015. After formation in Congo and studies in Jerusalem, he was ordained in the Holy City where he completed his theological education.

Fr. Rito José Mendoza, from Venezuela, underwent formation in several Latin American countries before completing his studies in the Holy Land. After his solemn profession in 2020, he was ordained deacon and now priest within the Custody.

Fr. Juan David Rodríguez, born in Bogotá, Colombia, is an architect by training. After professional experience, he responded to the religious call in the Custody. He now serves as deputy bursar of the Saint Savior fraternity, is a member of the Archaeological Commission, and is active in pastoral services in Jerusalem.