I am little by little discovering what it means to become ‘fully alive’ by integrating four major pillars in my life: a spiritual life, academic studies, community living and accompaniment with the poor. My academic interests involve bridging the gap between theology and a faith that does justice, particularly through music, film and other forms of digital media. I synthesize all my life experiences in one line -- ‘All is gift; All is grace’ [Spiritual Exercises, 322].  This truth keeps me ever grateful in moments of difficulty and growth. 

I graduated from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School ‘09 and continued my undergraduate studies at the Jesuit university of New York, Fordham University ‘13 in the Bronx, dual majoring in Philosophy and Psychology with a Concentration in American Catholic Studies. While in college I was particularly disturbed and inspired by my Spring ‘12 study abroad Casa de la Solidaridad Program in the the Jesuit Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (UCA) in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Upon graduating Fordham, I continued to feel a call to more radically serve God and others. I entered the Society of Jesus and began my formation towards the ministerial priesthood in the Catholic Church. I did my two-year Novitiate experience in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic and professed my first vows of poverty, chastity and obedience at my high school alma mater Belen Jesuit on August 28th, 2015. I continued my formation at Loyola University Chicago ‘18 in Chicago, Illinois, completing two Masters in Social Philosophy and Digital Media & Storytelling. While in Chicago, my ministry involved accompanying at-promise youth on the Southside of Chicago through Hip-Hop Media Production at a Restorative Justice center called Precious Blood Ministries and as a chaplain at the Cook County Juvenile Detention center. I was then missioned to regency, where I served as a theology teacher and campus minister at Belen Jesuit for two and a half years. After completing three years of theological studies at the Faculdade Jesuíta de Filosofia e Teologia in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, I was ordained a transitional deacon, along with three other classmates, on the vigil of St. Francis Xavier, December 2nd, 2023 in Santa Luzia, Brazil.

After nearly eleven years of Jesuit formation, I was ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ on June 1st, 2024 at Our Lady of Belen Chapel in Miami, FL. Since my diaconate, I have been missioned to Cuba, collaborating in Ignatian Youth Ministry and Vocation Promotion across the island, and serving at the Jesuit parish, Parroquia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús y San Ignacio de Loyola (also known as “Iglesia de Reina”) in La Habana, Cuba.

I ask for your heartfelt prayers in these first years of priestly ministry. Count on mine!

A.M.D.G.