Singing is just one aspect of his lyrical life

He is: Father Juan Carlos Gavancho, administrator of St. Francis de Sales Parish, near the Chicago Skyway. Born in Peru, South America, he was ordained at Mundelein Seminary in 2007 at the age of 31.

Early years: “Peru is a huge country and a beautiful one. I’m the youngest of four children. We lived in Lima, the capital, in the heart of the city. I had a lot of friends and it was wonderful. My family was rather poor. My father was a custodian at the university and my mother was a housewife.”

Singing: “My father and my second oldest brother sang popular Peruvian music at home. It wasn’t until I was in the seminary in my 20s I discovered a skill for opera. We never listened to opera at home. I was only able to study in the conservatory on weekends for a couple of years. I love to sing.”

Studies: “I entered the diocesan seminary, April 6, 1993, at 4 o’clock. I was 17. Why did it make such an impression? Because life, as I knew it, changed dramatically at that moment for the better. In the beginning I thought it might be for the worse, but I found new friends, and my whole vocation blossomed. I’ve meditated on that day in my prayers, and that’s another reason I remember it.”

He studied Latin and Greek and other courses for two years, and then went to the major seminary. “There I studied philosophy for three years and theology for four. They were the best years of my life. The seminary was a great experience, even though it wasn’t easy. Now, I’m so happy living as a priest, and I owe everything to my seminary days.

“There were three priests there that really made an impression on me. Such holy men who gave their lives to Christ in such a way it was unbelievable. I wanted to be like them. Now when I notice I’m starting to go in a little different way, I say to myself, “No, no, you didn’t enter the priesthood to do this.”

North America: Two years later he had earned an STL (Licentiate of Sacred Theology) and heard about Casa Jesus in Chicago. A year later he received an invitation, came to Chicago and studied English, living at Casa Jesus. “Then I went to Mundelein for 3 years and did another STL and was ordained.” It had taken him more than 16 years. “Probably I needed it. I don’t regret the time. The Lord made me wait for a reason.” He was assigned to Queen of the Universe in Chicago and then St. Odillo’s in Berwyn for two years.

Prayer life: “I’m grounded in Ignatian spirituality. (At one moment in my life I wanted to be a Jesuit.) St. Augustine has also had a huge influence on me. My life’s passion is my relationship with Jesus (without it I couldn’t do anything), Mass, prayer, and my love for the church. I am crazy in love with the Catholic Church and with the faith of the church -- that is: the Pope of Rome, the bishops, Mass, sacraments – everything that is “Catholic,” is for me! I have grown up in the last few years, seeing cynicism has made me love the church more because I have to survive. It’s made me stronger.”

Day off: “I take more time celebrating Mass, and may go with friends to watch a movie or stay here and read. I enjoy history. Right now I’m reading about the French Revolution, ‘The Terror: The Shadow of the Guillotine - France 1793-1794,’ by Graeme Fife.”

Scripture? “My favorite is John 15: ‘Without me you can do nothing.’ The goal of my ministry is to help people know the beauty of Christ and his Church. I’ve just been here at St. Francfis de Sales for four months, but the people are responding. I’m a direct person, very respectful, but I say things the way they are.”