Location: Church of the Good Shepherd
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ; today, we gather to celebrate a pivotal moment in the life of Seminarian Dante Villarreal, who is about to embark on a new chapter in his journey toward the priesthood. As we send him forth with our prayers, love, and blessings, it is fitting to reflect on the deep connection between the priesthood and God’s covenant with His people —a covenant that is the central narrative of Scripture and, ultimately, a path toward our sanctification as God’s Holy People.
From the beginning of time, the covenant between God and His people has been modeled in many ways. One of the most profound images is that of marriage —a union of love, fidelity, and permanent self-giving between a man and a woman.
As we see in today’s first reading, from Genesis, God created man and woman as equal partners, calling them to become “one flesh.” This bond of love is not only a reflection of human relationships but a sacred mirror of God’s own covenant with His people.
As we learn from the New Testament, marriage is shaped by God’s definitive covenant with humanity in the Incarnation of Christ. As the Son of God “‘for a little while’ was made ‘lower than the angels,’” we are given to partake in God’s inner life, the Covenant of the Blessed Trinity: Father, Son, and the mutual self-giving among them, the Holy Spirit. In Christ, God irrevocably united Himself with us, taking on our human nature and offering Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our salvation. The self-giving love between a husband and wife is a symbol of this divine love —the love of Christ for His bride, the Church, God’s People.
In this sense, the priesthood participates in the spousal mystery of Christ and the Church. Just as a husband dedicates himself fully to his wife, so too does the priest dedicate himself entirely to God’s people. The priest stands in the place of Christ, the Bridegroom, offering his life in service, sacrifice, and love for the Church. Through the sacraments, preaching, and spiritual guidance, the priest fathers the faithful, nurturing them in their spiritual growth and helping them encounter the living God.
As we send forth Dante today, let us remember that he is being called to this profound vocation of spiritual fatherhood. His life of celibacy is a sign of the heavenly union between Christ and the Church —a union that transcends earthly attachments and points to the eternal communion we all hope to share in heaven.
This vocation requires total fidelity and dedication, much like the commitment of a married couple. As Pope Francis teaches, “Our fidelity is nothing more than a response to God’s fidelity.”
The priest, like a husband, is called to give of himself entirely, to love and to serve, to remain faithful through every challenge. May Our Lady of Guadalupe help this seminarian embrace this calling with joy, courage, and an unwavering trust in the Lord, as he walks this path of sacrificial love, a path that mirrors the love of Christ for all of us.
