Merced priest to join Pope Francis in U.S. tour

A Merced priest is among a handful of local clergymen who will make a trip of a lifetime next week when they join Pope Francis in celebrating Mass during his first visit to the United States.

The Rev. Jesus Reynaga, who has served at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Merced for more than eight years, is one of seven priests from the Diocese of Fresno who will travel to Washington, D.C.

“It’s a privilege for me, for the parish and for the Merced community,” Reynaga, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico, said in Spanish on Wednesday.

Reynaga, 47, will arrive in the capital on Tuesday, a day before Francis celebrates Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass will mark the elevation to sainthood of Junipero Serra, an 18th-century Spanish missionary best known for establishing nine of the 21 California missions.

“There are thousands of priests who will be in attendance, but not everyone will get to concelebrate Mass with Pope Francis,” Reynaga said, using the term for assisting in the consecration of the Eucharist during the Mass. “It’s truly an honor.”

Pope Francis will visit Washington before traveling to New York and Philadelphia. Several San Joaquin Valley families will be in Philadelphia for the Mass being held as part of the pope’s World Meeting of Families.

Reynaga, who served in Reedley for two years before transferring to Merced, said the excitement of the trip is double for him, as he missed an opportunity to meet Pope Francis during a prior visit to Rome.

“I think he’ll deliver a message of love, of peace and of humility,” Reynaga said.

The canonization Mass will be delivered in Spanish, the Argentine-born pope’s mother tongue. “I think the pope saw this as a teaching opportunity – to remind us that, for God, there are no borders and no differences in language.”

Reynaga hopes to bring back a message of unity and compassion to his parishioners in Merced.

The Rev. Dan Avila, who serves as director of vocations for the Fresno Diocese, also will be making the trip to the East Coast next week. He will be present at the canonization Mass and at the pope’s speech to Congress.

Avila once met John Paul II in Rome. He believes next week’s opportunity will be just as special.

“This is the first time a pope will have a canonization Mass in U.S. soil and meet with both houses of Congress,” Avila said. “It’s a unique, historic moment.”

On a more personal level, Avila finds Pope Francis to be a man of wisdom and motivation. “He shares the message of the Gospel in a way that really inspires people.”

Thousands of Catholic followers also will have the opportunity to attend.

Patty Hughes, 54, a Riverbank resident, won the “Catholic lottery,” securing two tickets to attend the joint session of Congress and the canonization Mass after applying online. She has created a Twitter account to live-tweet her experience. She also created an email address, pattyandpope@gmail.com, where people can send their special intentions and prayers.

“I feel blessed. I still can’t believe it,” said Hughes, who describes herself as not only a devotee but a huge fan of Pope Francis.

“This pope has ingratiated himself to us, and has given us hope and reason for belief,” she said. “Pope Francis has embraced everyone, believers and nonbelievers alike, unconditionally.”

“I think he’s the right pope for the right time,” she added.

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 10:07 AM with the headline "Merced priest to join Pope Francis in U.S. tour."