When a priest says he’s building a church, he doesn’t usually mean he is physically doing so – but that isn’t the case for Fr Javier Cajusol Villegas, a priest in Pope Leo XIV’s former Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru. Source: CNA.
“In the seminary, there’s a program in which we study Church history. I was taught by an American priest who explained things very well, Fr Ricardo Mullen. He said that when the Spanish came to the Americas, they brought with them priests who were also architects and engineers and that they themselves were the ones who built the churches,” Fr Cajusol said.
This, the priest shared, “struck me, and I started thinking, ‘Why not?’ I got motivated when they sent me to a parish without a rectory. I started the Adveniat project with the bishop’s approval, and they sent me the money. A worker helped me and taught me.”
The Peruvian priest, born in Trujillo, a northern city where Pope Leo also served from 1988 to 1999, was referring to the Church aid agency Adveniat, based in Germany, which funds Church projects around the world.
“I started liking construction. I just stayed organised, served people, and when I had days off, I would spend time on this. Since my brother is an architect, I would ask him a few questions,” he said.
“At first, it was difficult, but I learned how to mix cement, make surfacing materials, lay bricks, and [mix] aggregates,” he added.
The priest said the construction work does not take precedence over his priestly ministry, which remains fundamental in his life.
“Little by little, I have been getting better [at construction work] without neglecting my vocation. So it’s a tough second job: that of a bricklayer, which requires strength and skill; and caring for the faithful,” he said.
Fr Cajusol, who was ordained 28 years ago, emphasised that what was essential for him was “not to neglect caring for the faithful, administering the sacraments, pastoral care by visiting homes, and talking with the people”.
The priest, who turned 58 last month, estimated that the church’s construction will take four or five years.
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Priest builds church with his own hands in Chiclayo, Peru, Pope Leo XIV’s former diocese (By Walter Sánchez Silva, CNA)
