The Saturday, July 8th, the religious Julio Reyes and Edwin Pereira, Legionaries of Christ, were ordained deacons at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in El Salvador. With these two new deacons, there are now three Salvadoran Legionaries.
Mons. Luis Morao Andreazza, emeritus bishop of Chalatenango, presided over the ordination Mass. He was accompanied by Mons. Jorge Bernal, emeritus bishop of the Prelature of Cancún-Chetumal, as well as members of the community of Legionary priests from El Salvador, the families of Regnum Christi from San Salvador and Guatemala.
Both deacons have a vocational connection in their history with the two emeritus bishops: Mons. Luis Morao Andreazza was the parish priest of the family of Father Julio, was very close to them, and practically saw their vocation being born. Bishop Morao, a Franciscan, has carried out an exemplary missionary work in the Philippines and Guatemala, always transmitting a special spirit of love for Christ and for the most needy.
Father Edwin, for his part, during his apostolic internship period, was secretary to Mons. Jorge Bernal. During that time, he was able to witness the tireless work to reach the most remote communities of Quintana Roo and the bishop’s deep prayer life. This testimony has marked him in his priestly vocation.
From Guatemala, a small delegation from the Mano Amiga School attended the ordination to accompany the Mass with their singing. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, a reception was prepared at the Highlands School in San Salvador for the families of the deacons.
For a few days, the community of El Salvador received the visit of Mons. Jorge Bernal, the first bishop of the Prelature of Cancún-Chetumal. He visited Highlands School and the ladies’ section of Regnum Christi, where he participated in the Youth Eucharistic Hour and shared a brief testimony. He enriched the community members with his anecdotes about the foundation, the early years in the Legion, and the work in the Prelature.
