Daniel Comboni
Comboni Missionaries
Institutional area
Other links
Newsletter
Mexico: First Religious Profession of Three Novices in Xochimilco
Saturday, May 23, 2026
On 16th May, three Comboni novices made their first religious profession at the continental novitiate in Xochimilco, Mexico City. César Adrián Avitud Guerrero, Aristóteles Hegel Ortega Trinidad (both Mexican), and Luis Enrique Fuentes Mejía (from El Salvador) consecrated themselves to God for missionary service in the Institute of the Comboni Missionaries. [In the picture from left: César, Luis Enrique e Aristóteles]
During a joyful and festive ceremony, enlivened by songs and dances from Latin American cultures, the three young men pronounced their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience for one year, according to the constitutions of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus. Family members, friends, and many Comboni priests, brothers, and sisters were present to accompany them in this first step of a journey that will lead them to dedicate their entire lives to the proclamation of the Gospel.
The celebration was presided over by Fr Mario Alberto Pacheco, Provincial Superior. Concelebrating with him were Fr Enrique Sánchez, Provincial of Central America; the novitiate formators, Fr Leonardo Leandro and Fr Abel Torres; and Fr Elías Arroyo, who will become the new novice master.
In his homily, Fr Mario invited the newly professed to follow in the footsteps of Saint Daniel Comboni by giving themselves to God in missionary service, and to imitate Abraham’s willingness to leave his homeland and open himself to other cultures wherever they may be sent, because “religious life consists in seeking God in order to bring Him to others.” At the end of the Mass, Fr Enrique encouraged them to give themselves completely: “Today the Institute needs you. Come and give the very best of yourselves.”
César Adrián will continue his studies at the international scholasticate in Lima, Peru; Luis Enrique Fuentes has been assigned to the international scholasticate in Casavatore, Italy; and Aristóteles Hegel will attend the international scholasticate in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.