| Background and call to priesthood: I am the eldest of four children, three boys and one girl, born to Carmelo and Julia Martinez. I was born in Tecalitlan, Jalisco, Mexico but was raised in the Pico-Union Neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. I was in the third grade when I first felt I might want to be a priest. The loving support of my family and parish community of Immaculate Conception Church made it easy for me to decide to join the diocesan seminary of St. John after high school to continue discerning my vocation. I graduated from St. John's with degrees in Philosophy and English in 1997. After college, I decided to take a break from further seminary studies and took a job as an elementary school teacher at St. Gertrude Catholic School in Bell Gardens, California. I spent nine wonderful years at St. Gertrude where I served as 8th grade teacher and subsequently as principal. I was ready to return to seminary formation when Fr. Tom Mullen, ss.cc., pastor at my parish of Holy Name of Mary, asked me to help him develop a youth ministry and confirmation preparation program for the parish. I agreed to help for one year but ultimately ended up serving 12 years in various capacities. Why did you choose the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts? Holy Name of Mary was my first contact with the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. From the beginning, I felt there was something very different about this particular congregation of priests. I found that their approach to ministry was, at times, somewhat unconventional but very warm, welcoming, loving and extremely pastoral. As I got to know the congregation, it's history, it's mission, it's spirituality and it's charism, it became clear to me that I needed to be a part of it. I am grateful to God for the love, encouragement and example of the various SS.CC. fathers at Holy Name of Mary and Damien High School and the spiritual imprint they left on my life and vocation. I made temporary vows in the Congregation on December 12, 2021, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe under whose care and patronage I place my religious vocation. My prayer is that by sharing of myself and my God-gifts I will help further the mission of the Congregation to contemplate, proclaim and live the love of Jesus in the world. Favorite hobbies and/or fun fact about yourself: In my down time, I love to read, hike, and explore new places. For my 45th birthday, I jumped out of a plane. It was fun but I would not do it again. Favorite bible passage: Micah 6:8 "This is what God asks and this alone: to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God". Your favorite saint: I am fascinated by the lives of the Mexican Martyrs of the Cristero War, St. John Bosco and St. Thomas Becket. |
