He is: Scalabrini Father Miguel Alvarez, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine and Parish, Melrose Park. Former rector of Scalabrini seminary in Mexico City. Ordained Aug 10, 1996, in Sandias, Durango, Mexico. Family life: “By the time I grew up, my father owned a shop in our village. In my early years I joined the family men in sowing and reaping the fields. Mother was a typical Mexican wife and mom, her husband and her three sons were her life.” Education: “After public grade school and high school I joined the Scalabrinian preparatory seminary in Guadalajara, Jalisco, in 1988.” After his novitiate and temporary vows in Michoacán, he came to Chicago for studies at Catholic Theological Union. “I finished my masters in theology at CTU in 1996 and was ordained.” Vocation: “The idea was there since an early age, influenced by our local pastor, an inspiring person, concerned about youth, who projected the Gospel message in amazing ways. No one in my hometown had gone to seminary before, so I set aside such thoughts. When I was 16 or 17, I met the Scalabrinian Missionaries who impressed my life in a profound way. I began to consider consecrated life and entered the seminary.” Missionary journey: “My first assignment after ordination was as associate pastor at Santa Maria Addolorata Parish in Chicago. I enjoyed every minute of those two years.” His superiors then sent him as vocation director to Los Angeles for a year. In 1998 he became rector of the Scalabrinian formation house in Mexico City. “It allowed me to experience the mystery and sacredness of a vocation on a first-hand basis. At the same time I was able to obtain a master’s and later teach at Universidad Intercontinental in Mexico City. Those were some of the most beautiful years of my life. After 12 years, my general superior requested I go to Rome and become superior of the international institute, where our perpetually professed brothers go to prepare for the deaconate and priesthood. After a short period in Rome I came back to my home province in Chicago, and became pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Melrose Park.” Today: “Every weekend at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we have seven Masses in English, Spanish and Italian, and we see about 3,000 people. The experience of being in such a multicultural setting can be a challenge or a blessing. For me it’s been a blessing, a learning experience; a fulfilling one. After so many years in formation ministry coming to a parish is a way to know the freshness of the spirit in the sacraments we celebrate, in liturgy, in pastoral ministry and the variety of experiences here.” Prayer life: “As Scalabrinians we say the Divine Office, celebrate daily Mass and pray the rosary. For me, that is the source of all, the spring from which all pastoral strength is born.” Leisure: “I’ll relax, go to a movie or visit friends. I love to cook. I enjoy soccer, although I can’t find time to play it any more. I usually travel home on vacation to visit my elderly mother and father in Mexico.” Favorite saint: “St. Therese of the Child Jesus, because of her missionary desire and commitment to pray for priests. The devotion I had for her as a student has grown through the years into a ‘friendship.’”