Father Carlos Guzman, RCJ arrives in Utah

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Father Carlos Guzman, RCJ

The Rogationist Fathers of the Heart of Jesus is a religious order of priests and brothers that was founded in Italy by St. Hannibal Di Francia on May 16, 1897. “Rogationist” comes from the Latin word “rogate,” which means “pray.”

Since their founding, the order has spread from Italy to the United States, Europe, South America, Mexico, India and the Philippines, among other countries.

“We find the deepest desire of the Heart of Jesus for the salvation of humankind in the words: ‘The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers to gather in his harvest’” (Mt. 9: 37-38), states the order’s website, https://rogationists.org/.

“The Rogationist Fathers of the Heart of Jesus are a Catholic order dedicated to continuing the works of our founder St. Hannibal. We pray and nurture vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We work to spread greater awareness for all vocations in the Church. We assist children and youth, especially those who are orphans and in need. We evangelize the poor and the underprivileged,” the website adds.

SALT LAKE CITY — Father Carlos Guzman, RCJ, who along with Father Ryan Jimenez, RCJ came recently to serve in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, will soon celebrate his 20th anniversary of priestly ordination.  

However, “at first I didn’t have the desire to become a priest,” he said, although when he got involved with the church choir he began to feel the call to his vocation. “And later on, having the desire to serve the people, so I thought entering the seminary was the best way to do so.”

In 1990, he entered the seminary at 16 years old, immediately after high school. “Eventually, as I continued with my formation, I discovered that I loved that kind of life, so I became a priest,” he said.

He was ordained on May 16, 2004.

Before coming to Utah, Fr. Guzman was the rector of the Rogationist College, a private Catholic higher education institution in the Philippines that offers junior and senior high school, college and technical courses.

The priestly life can be demanding, with many challenges but also a lot of joys, he said. “It has always been a challenging one but also comforting. … I am very happy with what I do with the young people and with my pastoral ministry in the parishes, serving.” 

In the Diocese of Salt Lake City he expects that he and Fr. Jimenez can be helpful in inviting young people to enter the seminary or a religious order.

“But also to discover how to get closer to God, and eventually we hope to become instruments in helping them discern that they have the gifts for priesthood or for a religious life,” Fr. Guzman said.

Encouraging young people to follow God’s call is important because “the life of the Church depends on the people who are willing to sacrifice and offer their lives for the sake of the ministry,” Fr. Guzman said. 

It is also very important to help young people “discover the beauty of knowing God,” he said. Young people can get to know God better not necessarily by entering religious life but “by having the idea that God loves them. …  He is always with them,” Fr. Guzman said, adding that he wants to help youth “to enhance their faith and to get closer to God;” this is one of the missions that he and Fr. Jimenez have.

This is his first time in the United States, and “I am feeling very optimistic about my presence here for the apostolate,” he said.

He also feels the sense of being very motivated “because of the support, especially from Bishop [Oscar A.] Solis and the other priests from the Philippines and in Utah,” he said. “I see and feel the warm welcome of the people, and for that I am grateful.”

One thing in Utah that has surprised Fr. Guzman is “to find the ministry and the celebration so simple,” he said.

The celebration of the liturgy can be improved and enhanced to give people a greater sense of participation and involvement, he said. 

He hopes that the people’s attendance at Mass “will not only be to fulfill their obligations or duties, but to deepen their faith and devotion in the celebration of the sacraments,” he said.

He is grateful to be with his new community in Utah, he said. “Thank you for welcoming us, and we will do our best so we can help in the diocese for the young people and for the Church in Utah. … Whatever we can offer, it will always be a way of showing our desire to be of service to the Church here in Utah.”

For their first few months as they go through orientation in the diocese, Fr. Guzman and Fr. Jimenez will serve as parochial vicars at the Cathedral of the Madeleine.