We are happy to share news of the ordination of Fr. Diego Gallardo, C.PP.S., of the Chilean Vicariate.

The ordination took place at Precious Blood Church in Valdivia on January 6, St. Gaspar’s birthday. Archbishop René Rebolledo presided. The archbishop, a seminary classmate of Frs. Abelardo Ibaceta, C.PP.S., and Noe Lemus, C.PP.S., is a good friend of the Missionaries.

Approximately 600 people were on hand for the liturgy in Valdivia. Fr. Gallardo’s hometown is Corte Alto, near Purranque, where the first C.PP.S. Missionaries took up ministry at Saint Sebastian Church in 1949.

“As a child, Diego got acquainted with the work of our Missionaries but it was later in his life when he was at the university studying to become a teacher on mathematics that he felt the call to the priesthood,” said Fr. Antonio Baus, C.PPS., a member of the vicariate. “He joined our formation program back in 2007. We welcome Diego and give thanks to God for his vocation to serve the Church.  We also give thanks to the Lord for Christopher Olguín, also from Purranque, who will begin this year his initial formation, joining the Peruvian formation community in Lima. Please keep praying for vocations!”  

Fr. Gallardo will serve as an associate at Precious Blood Church, where Fr. Omar Cerda, C.PP.S., is the pastor.

Story and photos provided by the Cincinnati Province.