Messengers of Peace continue work, will ordain first priest 

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Father Luis Mesa and the Messengers of Peace in Colombia will have something to celebrate next month as the religious community prepares to ordain its first priest.

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson will be present at the July 15 ordination of Father Juan Ignacio at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Chiquinquirá.

Founded in 2005 with the guidance and support of Archbishop Carlson, the Messengers of Peace is dedicated to praying for peace in Colombia and around the world. Its members also perform works of peace through ministry to the children, elderly and poor of Colombia. The community is based in Villa de Leyva.

Father Mesa was in St. Louis last weekend to speak about his community's work on behalf of the Missionary Plan of Cooperation, a program of the archdiocesan Mission Office that invites missionary communities to visit St. Louis in an effort to raise awareness and support for the work they are doing around the world.

Taking a moment from his whirlwind tour of the United States, including visits to his family in Colorado and Vermont, Father Mesa said that he's been pleased with the results of his community's work, adding that "we need to be slow at this so it's done right. You don't want to commit yourself to too many things at once."

That said, the Messengers of Peace have been busy with a number of initiatives aimed at helping the poor, elderly and youth populations of Colombia. Those include Talita Kum, a residential program for young girls who have suffered abuse or can no longer be cared for by their families; Hogar San Jose, a residence serving the elderly, which is operated by the Dominican Sisters of Nazareth; and Tejas Arriba, a farming co-op for the poor in the city of Medellin.

"The farm is in the middle of the shanty town," Father Mesa described. "It's a breath of fresh air. If they come in, there's no arms, no fighting, no drugs. They're there because they want a respite from the violence. The kids come in, and we have movies, catechesis, a food bank, a clothing bank."

While in Colombia next month, Archbishop Carlson is expected to baptize two girls at Talita Kum, according to Father Mesa. The Archbishop also will meet with the Bishop of Chiquinquirá during his visit.

"When (Archbishop Carlson) goes down there, the people just love seeing him," said Father Mesa. "he doesn't speak much Spanish, but they just love him."

The Messengers of Peace have seen a slow, but steady growth in community, said Father Mesa. There currently are nine men in the community, including one brother who will be ordained a deacon, and several novices and postulants. There also are more men interested in visiting the community. The community also just finished building a second story at Casa Cristina, which houses the community's postulants.

"The idea is not numbers, but quality, that they be aware of what it really is," said Father Mesa. "If you're going to give up your life for the Lord, you really have to do it 100 percent -- 105 percent. When you say yes to Him, He wants it all. To work with the poor, to really work with the people, you have to be self-giving. There's no other way."

Right now, Father Mesa said the community's greatest need is financial support to help meet the daily needs of their outreach efforts.

"This isn't my work; this is God's work," he said.

How you can help

To make a donation to the Messengers of Peace, contact the archdiocesan Mission Office at (314) 792-7655.