New Appointment in the Caribbean: P. Elkin Ariel Tejeda Cuesta, S.J. 

06/06, Santo Domingo: The Society of Jesus in the Dominican Republic celebrates the priestly ordination of Elkin Ariel Tejeda Cuesta, SJ, by the imposition of hands of Msgr. Carlos Tomás Morel Diplán, Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo. The ordination was celebrated at the Santísima Trinidad University Parish, in the presence of family, friends, religious sisters, Jesuits, and members of the diocesan clergy.   

The motto chosen by the new priest was “Because separated from me you can do nothing,” from the Gospel of St. John (15:5). Elkin Ariel was born in Enriquillo (Barahona, Dominican Republic); and for his priestly ordination, lay people from his community of origin attended, as well as Msgr. Andrés Romero, Bishop of Barahona. Also in attendance were lay people and religious with whom he currently shares, as part of his pastoral mission in the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary and Radio Marién, both Jesuit works located in Dajabón (border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti).

The ordination proceeded with the corresponding rites. The candidate was presented to the Archbishop by the Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in the Caribbean, Fr. Martin Lenk, SJ. In his homily, Msgr. Morel Diplán shared three invitations for living the priesthood: “vocation is sustained by trust in the Lord,” “it is enriched in intimacy with God,” and “it is upheld by believing that nothing can separate us from the love of God.” He assured that “from these flows the meaning of the priest's life: love for the Church, love for God, and love for others.” And he recommended: “Do not hold back anything. Live in service, surrender, and giving to people.”. 

After the rite of the laying on of hands by the Archbishop and the anointing with sacred oil, Ariel received the laying on of hands from the consecrated persons present, and once the prayer was completed, he received the second degree of the priestly ministry. The stole and chasuble were placed on him by his parents, accompanied by Father Santiago Polanco, SJ, who was his teacher at the Loyola Polytechnic Institute of San Cristóbal. 

Upon leaving diaconate and assuming the priestly ministry, Fr. Elkin Ariel Tejeda SJ, addressed words of gratitude to those present. To them, he gave thanks, saying: “Although God's call is personal, the path that has brought me here has not been solely between God and me, but rather a journey filled with specific faces, for whom I am deeply grateful... I have seen the manifestation of God in very great ways through you.”.

At the end of the Eucharist, the Provincial of the Caribbean, Fr. Lenk SJ, announced the pastoral missions entrusted to Ariel for the coming times. The new priest will continue to serve at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Radio Marién, and will accompany the Quasi-parish of Lourdes. 

Fr. Elkin Ariel Tejeda Cuesta, SJ, will celebrate his first Mass tomorrow, Sunday, June 7, at 11:00 AM, in the Main Chapel of the Loyola Polytechnic Institute of San Cristóbal.