ZAPOPAN, Jalisco; June 10, 2024.- In recent days, the Prelature of Opus Dei carried out, in the city of Rome, the presbyteral ordination of the following students alumni of the Universidad PanamericanaJuan Carlos Díaz Palacio, a graduate in Industrial Engineering and Business Innovation, and José Ángel Márquez, a graduate in Medicine, were ordained to the priesthood in Rome.
Toshihiro Sakai, Auxiliary Bishop of Osaka-Takamatsu, in a ceremony celebrated by Bishop Toshihiro Sakai, Auxiliary Bishop of Osaka-Takamatsu.
Ordination Celebration
The ceremony, marked by the presence of family, friends and pilgrims from all over the world, took place at 10 a.m., culminating two hours later with the celebration of his first Mass. Juan Carlos expressed his deep gratitude and emotion at being able to share this moment with his loved ones and the Opus Dei community.
The following day, the Industrial Engineering alumni celebrated their First Solemn Mass in the church annexed to the library of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, accompanied by Father Cristian Mendoza, also an alumnus of Universidad Panamericana.
Roots on the Pan-American Highway
"I am an Industrial Engineer by the Universidad Panamericana, and that title is not lost.. Now with the title of Theologian is also added that of Priest ... and that is now what I will dedicate myself to for the rest of my life," said Father Juan Carlos Diaz Palacio.
Since his time in high school, Juan Carlos considered Universidad Panamericana as one of his first options. "In fact, in his last year of high school, the difficult part was not so much choosing the university, but the career, because atthattime I was very interested in film and audiovisuals, and at the same time I had always dreamed of becoming an engineer," he recalled.
The Universidad Panamericana offered him opportunities in both Communication and Engineering. Finally, Juan Carlos decided to study Industrial Engineering, a choice he described as fundamental for his development: "Those years at UP Guadalajara forged me as a good engineer, a good citizen and a good friend.
Later, he moved to Aguascalientes for personal reasons, and once again Panamericana opened its doors to him, allowing him to collaborate as an administrator and teacher. After a year, he moved to Rome and there began to emerge the restlessness of the priestly vocation.
"I knew that God was calling me to be a saint as an engineer, I was very clear about that.I knew that God was calling me to be a saint as an engineer, it was very clear to me, but at the same time there was a desire to accompany those who wanted to be saints in their professional work," he confessed.
After receiving the diaconate in November 2023, Juan Carlos was ordained a priest in May 2024. Referring to his training as an industrial engineer at Panamericana, he commented: "They were years of personal maturity and independence, of professional growth.They were years of personal maturation and independence, of professional growth.I treasure this as a fundamental part of my priesthood that will accompany me for the rest of my life.
The Universidad Panamericana congratulates its Alumni for their dedication to the service of God's people in the ministry of the liturgy. It is also deeply proud to have contributed to their spiritual and integral formation, which has been fundamental in their journey towards the priesthood.
