Fr. César Magallón-Bernal

Ordination Homily by Archbishop Gomez (6/01/2013)

Age: 47, born in Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico.
Parents: Roberto Magallón and Rufina Bernal.
Education: Diocesan Minor Seminary in Zamora, Michoacán; 
Diocesan Major Seminary in Guadalajara, Jalisco;
M.A. in Pastoral Ministry, St. John's Seminary; 
M.A. in Biblical Studies, St. John's Seminary; 
M.A. in Divinity, St. John's Seminary. 
Other Careers/Professions: pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, including director of religious education at St. Gertrude the Great Church (2006-11).
Home parish: St. Gertrude the Great, Bell Gardens.
Internship: Holy Angels, Arcadia.
Transitional Diaconate: Corpus Christi, Pacific Palisades.
First Mass as priest: June 2, 1 p.m. at St. Gertrude the Great.
First Assignment: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Santa Barbara.
Favorite Book: The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco 
Favorite Bible Verse: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
On becoming a priest: “My call to become a priest originated when I was 14 years old. I was asked by a couple of women religious if I had ever considered becoming a priest. I truly believe that these women planted a seed, and I just couldn’t get the idea out of my head. 

“As time went on, and through so many blessings and challenges which I have faced throughout my seminary formation, I truly believe that God has called me to invite those around me to get closer to him. The truth is, all of us need to be closer to God, and one of the ways to achieve this is through the sacraments. I look forward to ministering to those whom the Lord entrusts to my care so that they remain closer to God as I will along with them.”