Guatemalan priest Hugo Estrada marks 90 years and 63 years of service

Father Hugo Estrada, a revered figure in Guatemala's Catholic Church and a globally recognized preacher, recently marked significant milestones: his 90th birthday and 63 years of priesthood. Born in Guatemala City in 1936, Estrada's spiritual journey began in childhood, leading him to enter the seminary at age ten. He pursued his studies, eventually graduating from the University of San Carlos of Guatemala with a degree in Letters.

Estrada's extensive ministry includes authoring over fifty spiritual works and numerous literary pieces. He has also been a key figure in evangelization through various media. Alongside other committed laypeople, he co-founded the television channel Jesús TV in 2005 and has been a pioneer in radio evangelization programs. His role as a spiritual advisor for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal further highlights his diverse contributions to the Church.

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I am impressed by how people have wanted to remind me of what these 90 years of life mean. It is a very special number. I thank God and I thank so many people who have shown their affection and gratitude. I ask the Lord that the years He still grants me be for serving Him better.

Reflecting on his life of service, Estrada expressed gratitude for the outpouring of affection from his community, friends, and family. He views his 90 years as a special number, thanking God for the time granted and for the people who have shown him kindness. He hopes that the remaining years will allow him to serve God even better. His journey, which included eight years at the Seminary of San Juan in El Salvador, shaped his path, and he now continues to share his message through both traditional and social media platforms.

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That is something very mysterious. How is it that one day one decides to enter a seminary? At that time, when one entered, practically one stayed there forever. We didn't even return home during vacations.