Scalabrini Father Fernando Cuevas Preciado, pastor at Santa Maria Addolorata Parish, 528 N. Ada St., on March 24. Behind him is a painting of Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, the founder of his religious community. Preciado is vice postulator of Scalabrini's cause for canonization. (Brian J. Morowczynski / Catholic New World)
He is: Scalabrini Father Fernando Cuevas Preciado, pastor of Santa Maria Addolorata Parish. He’s served in San Jose, Calif., and southern Mexico. Ordained in his home parish, Christ the King , in Gaudalajara, Mexico, in 2002. He came to Chicago in 2010. Family life: Grew up in the city of Guadalajara with one brother and three sisters. “My dad drove a city bus called a ‘pesera,’ because you pay in pesos to ride it. My mom is an entrepreneur — always selling something, Fuller products, cosmetics, things like that. My mom has 21 brothers and sisters. Her youngest brother is also a priest. In our family, we have 15 priests. My mom’s oldest sister is a lay consecrated virgin. My mom’s side of the family is very holy — my dad’s side is something else. I went to public grade school, and joined the diocesan minor seminary in Guadalajara at age 12.” A heart for missions: “I studied in the diocesan seminary for five years. Yet I was one who wanted to go ‘outside.’ My model was St. Francis Xavier. I read his biography and was very touched with how he preached the Gospel. The seminary had a mission appeal every year. I was in charge and in contact with many missionaries in Guadalajara. My vocation director, who was very approachable, was an Italian Scalabrinian, who spoke very good Spanish and English. I was even impressed by the languages he spoke. “When I went to the Scalabrini House in Guadalajara, they spoke informally to me. I didn’t have to call them ‘Father,’ and the priests ate with the seminarians. On the other hand, the diocesan seminary was rigid. We had to kiss the hands of the rector. I liked the informality, and so I entered the Missionaries of St. Charles, the Scalabrini order, in 1992.” Rome: “I finished my novitiate studies in Mexico and took my first vows Dec. 8, 1996. We have five Theologates. One was here in Chicago, one in Rome, in the Philippines, Brazil and Argentina. The father general in Rome invited me to study at the Angelicum for my bachelor’s degree. I got my master’s from the Urbaniana.” He also has a master’s in pastoral care of migrants from the Scalabrinian Institute in Rome. “I was ordained in 2002.” Being pastor: “My hardest job is being an ‘administrator.’ I wasn’t prepared to be one, dealing with all kinds of persons. My English is limited, so some people want to take advantage. I’m very careful in business and double-check every transaction. I’m happy to be in this small parish. I also help in the Joliet diocese on Saturdays. We need more Spanish priests. Santa Maria Addolorata Parish was founded in 1903 by Italians. “Today 80 percent of our people are from Latin America. Mexicans, 60 percent, some Puerto Ricans, Guatemalans, people from El Salvador, and a small community of Italians.” Prayer Life: “We have Bishop Sabatini living here and another Scalabrini priest. Every day we have lauds, at 7 a.m., meditation and then Mass. Part of our charism is the care of migrants and refugees — that’s my first prayer every day. I feel strong in my vocation because I pray.” Any thoughts about Pope Francis? “For me it’s not important what hemisphere he is from, but the fact he is open-minded and treats all the people the same. I’m glad he’s from Latin America, but the most important thing is to show Christ to the others. We say, ‘Borders were made by men, not by God.’ Leisure: “I like to visit other houses of worship. I even visited a Buddhist temple in Indiana. I certainly like to visit Chicago’s beautiful Catholic churches, like St. Mary of the Angels, St. Stanislaus, Most Holy Trinity. I like to walk by Lake Michigan or meet with friends for conversation. I go window-shopping sometimes. I’m a very good Italian chef; my specialty is pasta arrabiata (spicy). I can make Mexican quesadillas, but there are too many good Mexican restaurants in my neighborhood to bother.” Favorite saints and Scripture: “Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, our founder. I am the vice-postulator for his cause for canonization. (Pope Francis knows the Scalabrinians very well, so maybe we’ll have a saint!) St. Francis Xavier, of course is a favorite. Blessed John Paul II and Mother Teresa are my angels. My favorite Scripture motto is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”