Serving God’s People: From San Potosí to Rome to Yakima
By: Brigid McGroarty
The Gregorian University Foundation interviewed Fr. César Izquierdo, who graduated in 2020 magna cum laude with a Sacred Theology Licentiate. Father Izquierdois originally from San Luis Potosí, a city in central Mexico known for its Spanish-Baroque architecture. While attending Pontifical Gregorian University, Fr. Izquierdo pursued studies in Public Ethics and the Social Doctrine of the Church.
When asked to share some memories of his student experience, Fr. Izquierdo responded with a warm smile and said he really enjoyed lectures with Professor Rocco D’Ambrosio, an Italian diocesan priest who received his Doctorate in Social Sciences from the Gregorian in 1995 . “He teaches a course on the government in Italy. And having both perspectives: one as the preacher and the perspective of a teacher coming together to teach us has resounded with some great memories of his classes.” With a light-hearted flourish, he added that he misses “the wonderful cappuccinos,” from The Greg Cafe. One senses that, in shepherding his parishioners, Father’s joie-de-vie complements his deep spirituality and rich educational background!
Father Izquierdo loved the fruitful, international nature of Gregorian University. He fondly shared, “one of the characteristics that really moved me a lot about my experience there was being able to travel with classmates, to get an invitation from other countries, to see what is happening in the parishes, what their lives were like in their home countries. I was able to go to London, Budapest, Spain just to see classmates and visit their hometowns. Those memories are really important to me.” Father shared that, amidst the pandemic, he regrettably has not been able to have anyone visit him at his new parish in Washington State, but he hopes this will change in the near future.
Upon graduation, Fr. Izquierdo was assigned the position of parochial vicar of St. Joseph in Kennewick, Washington in the Yakima Diocese. Father is quick to note how his Gregorian studies enrich his ministry to those struggling with matters of labor, immigration, and family. “The social doctrine of the Church addresses these issues from the perspective of the Gospel, so even in my preaching it is useful. And, when we have to deal with certain issues such as families that have been separated by immigration laws, we need to support them not only with an immigration lawyer but with moral support and understanding for what they are going through. That’s how I have been using my studies, because it really opened a new perspective on ministry…how to see the real problems of life.”
While attending the Gregorian University, Father Izquierdo also cherished his sociology studies, which provided him with a strong foundation for reading academic studies and through which he learned how to analyze statistical information. Father puts those skills to good use, not only in understanding his pastoral work but in collaborating with other practitioners and academics. To that end, since his graduation, Fr. Izquierdo has participated in several conferences. At the Yakima Diocese’s 40th Annual Catholic Appeal Father presented on “Living our Mission of Charity.” For the Catechetical Congress he spoke on the new encyclical “Fratelli Tuti” on human fraternity and social friendship. At an upcoming conference on October 9th, 2021, he will also be presenting for the Mission Congress on the topic of parish leadership using the process “Observe, Judge, Act,” which is a method of discerning the application of the Church’s social doctrine.
But Fr. Izquierdo’s ministry is not confined to diocesan boundaries and academic conferences. At the request of his diocese, Father has launched “On Earth as it is In Heaven,” (En la Tierra como en el Cielo), an online radio program. The program airs on Monday evenings at 7pm PST and he recounted “my intention naming this program with the words of the Our Father is an invitation to work together in order that things on Earth should become as they are in Heaven.” Currently, it is broadcast only in Spanish, but soon an English version will be available. What’s more, Father hopes to soon affiliate his program with EWTN and Radio el Sembrador, the latter of which is a station that provides Catholic content in Yakima County (El Sembrador Radio Yakima KZTR 103.5).
Despite his robust schedule, Fr. Izquierdo has his sights on more education! Father wants to develop more expertise in family counseling, and he hopes to someday pursue additional education in that area so that he can better serve his flock.
To the benefactors who supported his education, Fr. César Izquierdo sends a message of gratitude. “First, thank you. My education has taught me the meaning of being generous. I received my education for free thanks to your support and that of my diocese. What you are doing is supporting the mission of the Church. It is a special opportunity to be enrolled as a student…I get to benefit from you, the benefactors, who supported Pontifical Gregorian University.”