Almost 40 years after the foundation of the mission center of Vila Vila, the first priest of the parish, Father Leandro Siles Camacho, was ordained. He was born in Pilpina on March 28, 1988, son of Daniel Siles and Lucia Camacho, 5th child of 8 siblings. His father died 5 years ago in an accident. His mother died in 2020 without seeing her son, a priest. His first studies were in Pilpina and the rest in Vila Vila, until he finished high school, then he entered the army.

He felt the call to the priesthood in 2010. Under the guidance of Father Ricardo, he entered the Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph. He completed his formation in Santa Cruz. He was ordained a priest on May 15, 2021 in Warner, Santa Cruz. He celebrated his first Mass in the parish of Vila Vila on the 23rd of the same month, which was decorated to receive his first priest son. Beforehand, the authorities and residents of Cochabamba were contacted for the organization of the event.

Each neighborhood and some families made bows for the reception. We agreed to ring the bells when he was near, each group gathered in their respective arches and when Father arrived everything was a surprise for him. In each arch they made a tribute to him until they reached the church. A family sang in Quechua and the authorities welcomed him.Father Leandro celebrated Mass in our little chapel. After dinner, as it was the eve of Pentecost, there was a small “soiree”, since the priest had brought a group of young people to sing. The church was beautifully decorated for the feast, where a son of his was celebrating Mass for the first time.

The priest was alone, since because of the pandemic no priest from his Congregation or the Prelature accompanied him, so his brothers helped him to vest. As our Church is very small, most of the people listened from outside. The reception was in the coliseum. After lunch, people began to place money in Father’s sack. A custom better known as “Tipaku”. It all ended around 4:00 in the afternoon. Father Leandro said: “I didn’t expect so much”.

We thank God for this precious gift he has given to our parish, and we pray that he will continue to send workers to his harvest.

Patmos Vila Vila, Bolivia.