Father Rafael Huerta, 50 Years of Priesthood

He was joined by family members and a good number of parishioners. Comboni confreres from the communities of San Francisco del Rincón, Sahuayo, Zapopan and Xochimilco concelebrated the Mass with Fr Rafa.

During his homily, Fr Rafa recalled his mission in Ethiopia, a country in East Africa, where he spent 22 years in pastoral ministry. He said that these had been the happiest and most fruitful years of his missionary life.

With a humble attitude, as he offered his thanksgiving, he acknowledged his human frailties, but also recognised that whatever little or much he may have accomplished was possible because God’s goodness towards him has been so great, sustaining him and enabling him to persevere in his mission.

For this reason, he stressed the importance of focusing not so much on the person, but on the Lord, who, purely by his grace, enables us to put his will into practice as fully as we can.

He also recalled that, at the beginning of his vocation, the only thing that mattered to him was becoming a missionary. Becoming a Comboni missionary and a religious came to him later, since his first desire was to go and proclaim the Gospel wherever there was the greatest need in the world.

And, fortunately for him, God’s Providence led him almost by the hand to Ethiopia, where he was able to live among the people and for the people, not to engage in proselytism, but to seek at all times to bear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord, the only one capable of transforming our lives.

Fr Lauro Betancourt, representing the Provincial Council, thanked the parish for the affection and support it has shown Fr Rafa over so many years. Although he spent many years serving on mission outside the country, he was always warmly welcomed whenever he returned. Such gestures, he noted, encourage a missionary all the more to remain faithful to the Lord.

Following the celebration, a reception was held. With the music of mariachi bands, everyone shared food in an atmosphere of genuine joy and fraternity.

Fr Fernando Cortés, MCCJ