Miguel Angel Martinez Figueroa, 27

First assignment: St. Nicholas of Tolentine
Education: Lazaro Cardenas, Colegio Felipe Galindo y Chavez, Seminario Menor Diocesano and Seminario Sr. San Jose, all in Mexico
Parents: Petra Figueroa Aguilar and the late Cecilio Martinez Velazquez
First Mass: 5 p.m. May 20 at Our Lady of Ransom, Niles

Miguel Angel Martinez Figueroa considers himself fortunate. Long before most boys think about career choices, he received insights into the priesthood and met role models who helped him decide on a religious vocation.

He first learned about the duties of a priest as a young altar boy in Mexico. Then, when he was 11 years old, a family friend studying for the priesthood began telling Martinez Figueroa about his personal experiences in the seminary. The clincher was encouragement from the pastor of his church.

“I liked what I saw and heard along the way,” he said. “Then my pastor suggested I attend the seminary.”

While at the seminary the idea of going to the United States began brewing in his mind.

“I had another friend in the seminary in Chicago,” he said. “My friend said the [Chicago] archdiocese needed priests and he sent me the address of Casa Jesus, a discernment house for foreign students.”
Several months later he spoke with Father Michael Herman of Casa Jesus and was eventually accepted.

“I went to Casa Jesus, learned English and prayed about whether I should stay in Chicago or go back to Mexico,” he said. “I stayed and studied. Now I’m ready to be a good priest and get closer to the Lord.”

Martinez Figueroa sees part of his ministry as finding ways to draw young people to the Church. “I want to develop good liturgies and make them more meaningful to young people,” he said.

He also has specific ideas on how to increase vocations. One is for religious and priests to talk about their daily lives.

“Perhaps parishes could set aside time at each Mass—at least once or twice a year—when priests and religious could talk about themselves,” he said.

“Very important is the testimony of happy priests and other religious. They also must share themselves with parishioners outside of regular liturgies and church observances. Priests, religious and the laity should get to know each other like members of a family.”

Other ordinations:
Jo-Andre Beltran
Paul Duy Duc Cao
Mark Greschel
Miguel Angel Martinez Figueroa
Michael J. Novick
Edward J. Pelrine
Kombo Livingstone Peshu
Robert William Schultz Jr.
Paul Charles Stein
Walter Antonio Yepes Galvis