Pastor Assignments Take Effect July 28: Fr. Eleazar Silva-Galván

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Fr. Eleazar Silva-Galván

Fr. Eleazar Silva-Galván

Fr. Eleazar Silva-Galván was born in Mexico City and attended school there before entering Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon. He then returned to Mexico City to attend the Universidad La Salle, and did post-graduate work at Regina Apostolorum in Rome before being ordained a priest for the Diocese of Papantla by Bishop Lorenzo Cárdenas Aregullín on April 7, 2001.

After various assignments in the Diocese of Papantla, including serving as a spiritual director, theology professor at the diocesan seminary and sacristan-dean in the Cathedral, he came to the Diocese of Salt Lake City in 2006. His first assignment was as parochial vicar of Saint George Parish. He also has served at St. Francis Xavier, the Cathedral of the Madeleine, and the parishes of Sacred Heart, Sts. Peter and Paul, and St. James the Just.

On July 28 he will begin serving as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Orem.

What would you like your new parishioners to know about you?

 My new parishioners must know that I love our Catholic faith and all its expressions, especially the Mass, the sacraments and the liturgy in general. I love art, and I am big fan of music. My life revolves around the liturgical year and there is nothing more important to me than offering fitting praise to God.

What are you looking forward to most about your new assignment?

I am coming to Saint Francis of Assisi Parish with no expectations. During my 23 years of diaconal and priestly ministry I have come to realize that no matter where Divine Providence takes me, I will find the face of God. In every parish, jail and school I have ministered I have made good friends, faced challenges and preached the Gospel to all who were open to it. It will be the same in Orem.

As a priest, what has been your greatest challenge?

Many think that my greatest challenge as a priest is my poor eyesight. In reality, being almost blind is my “normal” and has never hindered me from reaching any goals. The Good Lord has always been very good to me. As a priest I am consecrated to God and the service of his Church and I trust in him completely.

As a priest, what has been your most satisfying experience?

The Mass and the sacraments are the source of my joy. When I preside at the Eucharist, hear confessions – especially at the jail – or baptize a kid, I find the joy that comes from God, which cannot be described with words. I was able to endure the isolation of the pandemic by saying Mass every day for the faithful who could not attend. Even though I could not see them, I held them in my heart and they were always with me at the holy altar.