Jundiaí, Brazil

The diaconate was conferred on Father Jefferson Luis Bartipaia, LC, on August 11, during a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Monsignor Vicente Costa, bishop of the Diocese of Jundiaí, at the Church of San Juan Bosco, the same parish to which Father Jefferson Bartipaia, LC, belonged. His family and friends, as well as some members of the Legionaries of Christ, consecrated members of Regnum Christi, and some lay members of the Movement, were present.

In his homily, Monsignor Vicente Costa reminded everyone that the deacon is at the service of the most needy, of the Word of God, and of the Liturgy, especially in the Eucharist. Also, explaining the Word of God, he highlighted God’s closeness in Father Jefferson’s vocation: “Jeremiah was chosen before he was born, before he left the womb. Likewise, when God chose you, when He entered your life […], the Lord said to you ‘Jefferson, Do not be afraid. I will be with you so that you persevere in your mission’.”

Father Jefferson Luis Bartipaia, LC was born in Vinhedo in February 1985, but grew up and lived in Jundiaí, São Paulo. After forming a Regnum Christi team in his city, he joined the Legion of Christ in 2003. After completing the novitiate, he made his first vows and transferred to Spain to study the humanities. He arrived in Rome to begin philosophy studies and, from 2007 to 2010, carried out apostolic practices as a discipline prefect at the Vocational Center in Guadalajara, Mexico. He returned to Rome where he made his perpetual profession and completed his philosophy studies at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. Later, while studying theology, he paused his studies to collaborate as a formator at the Vocational Center in Curitiba, Brazil. In 2015, he returned to Rome to resume theological studies, which he completed in 2017. Since then, he has been supporting apostolic work at the Santa Edwiges Parish in São Paulo, Brazil.

A photo gallery is available, and you can read a article in Portuguese prepared by the communication office of Brazil about Father Jefferson Bartipaia, LC’s diaconal ordination.

Medellín, Colombia

On August 12, Monsignor Fidel Cadavid, bishop of Sonsón-Rionegro, ordained deacons to Fathers John Chaverra, LC, Juan Fernando Alzate, LC, Víctor Hugo Jiménez, LC, and Julián Danilo Serna, LC. The ceremony took place at the Vocational Center chapel of the Legionaries of Christ in Rionegro and was attended by about 500 people, including family, friends, and members of Regnum Christi.

In his homily, Monsignor Fidel Cadavid urged the deacons to always keep Jesus Christ as the only center and criterion of their lives and pastoral activity, reminding them of their commitment to be of the Lord and to proclaim Him alone: “Do not preach yourselves, do not usurp the only lordship of Jesus […]. Your essence is to be servants, specialists in charity. Service will never be optional for you.”

Father Víctor Hugo Jiménez, LC was born on December 26, 1985, in Medellín, Colombia, and joined the Legion of Christ Vocational Center in that country on December 1, 1997. In 2003, he entered the Novitiate in Medellín, where he made his first religious profession in February 2005. From 2005 to 2007, he studied humanities in Salamanca, Spain, and then began his bachelor’s in philosophy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum in Rome. In 2009, he began his apostolic practices as a studies prefect at the Vocational Center in Colombia. Four years later, he returned to Rome, where he obtained a license in philosophy and completed his bachelor’s in Theology.

“Moments of doubt appear from time to time; however, well-used, crises are moments of overcoming. I have also had beautiful moments; the most memorable are the small or big moments when I could help someone, when I could be a channel for God to reach a person,” Father Víctor Hugo Jiménez, LC, commented.

Father Juan Fernando Alzate, LC was born on December 23, 1987, in Medellín, Colombia. He joined the Vocational Center of Colombia in 2000 and later transferred to the Novitiate Center in Medellín, Colombia. He studied humanities in Salamanca, Spain, and then began his bachelor’s in philosophy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum in Rome. In 2010, he began his apostolic practices as a discipline prefect at the Vocational Center of Colombia. Three years later, he returned to Rome, where he obtained a license in philosophy and a master’s in psychopedagogy. From 2015 to 2018, he studied the bachelor’s in theology.

Father John Chaverra, LC was born on May 5, 1987, in Medellín, Colombia. In 1999, he joined the Vocational Center of Colombia and completed his high school studies there. He began his novitiate on February 2, 2004, in Medellín and made his first religious profession in 2006. From 2006 to 2007, he studied humanities in Salamanca, Spain, and then began his bachelor’s in philosophy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum in Rome, Italy. In 2009, he returned to Salamanca to carry out apostolic practices as an assistant to humanists. In 2013, he returned to Rome to begin his license in philosophy, and in 2015, he started his bachelor’s in theology.

“The diaconate is a gift from God, a service to the Church, and an invitation from Jesus to transmit the relevance of the Gospel to today’s world,” Father John Chaverra, LC, commented.

Father Julián Serna, LC was born on October 26, 1987, in Rionegro, Colombia. He joined the Vocational Center of Colombia in December 1998. He did his novitiate in Medellín between 2004-2006. For two years, he studied humanities in Salamanca, Spain, then moved to Thornwood, United States, to complete his bachelor’s in philosophy. From 2010 to 2013, he was a discipline prefect at the Vocational Center of Venezuela, where he made his perpetual profession on January 28, 2012. After finishing, he returned to Rome to pursue a license in philosophy and later a bachelor’s in theology.

A recording of the ceremony can be viewed through this Facebook link, a photo gallery of these ordinations, and some interviews with the new deacons of the Venezuela territory prepared by the communication office of that territory.