Mexico City: In a moving and deeply personal tribute, newly ordained priest Fr. Carlos Elino García Santana celebrated his first Holy Mass at the tomb of his late mother, honoring the woman who shaped his spiritual journey. Departing from the traditional practice of offering one’s first Eucharist in a parish church or notable sanctuary, Fr. García chose to begin his priesthood at the El Ranchito Chapel near La Desembocada, Mexico, beside the grave of the one he calls his "first spiritual guide."
Ordained on June 30, Fr. Carlos offered the inaugural Mass of his priestly life the very next day, July 1, in the presence of hundreds of faithful, including family and friends. It was not just a celebration of priesthood, but a heartfelt remembrance of his mother’s influence on his vocation. He recalled how she initially resisted his entry into the seminary, but later became his strongest inspiration urging him to be a compassionate, holy priest who would serve the poor with unwavering love.
Fr. Carlos’s journey was marked by sacrifice and delay. He entered seminary in 2007, but in 2013, he paused his formation to care for his ailing mother, who was battling cancer. Juggling caregiving and a small business, he continued his studies informally. Her death in 2018 left a void in his soul, and it wasn’t until the liturgies of Holy Week 2020 that he fully discerned his call anew.
With support from his bishop and spiritual mentors, he resumed seminary training, culminating in his ordination this year. Standing before the altar by his mother’s grave, Fr. Carlos expressed a quiet hope: “I trust she is now basking in the eternal presence of God.” His story now stands as a powerful witness to the strength of maternal faith, the patience of divine timing, and the beauty of a vocation nurtured in love and sacrifice.