Fr. James S. Balajadia is newest member of clergy

The Catholic community rejoiced once again as James Balajadia went up the ranks of the Holy Order and was ordained a priest last Saturday at Mt. Carmel Cathedral.

The priestly ordination was witnessed by local and Guam church officials, family, friends, and hundreds of parishioners. Balajadia was officially deemed worthy of the priesthood as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa Fr. Ryan Jimenez certified his appointment to the position of priest on Saipan.

“After inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those responsible, I testify that he has been found worthy,” Fr. Jimenez told Apostolic Delegate to the CNMI Archbishop Martin Krebs.

Krebs, an Apostolic Nuncio, in his first pastoral visit to the islands, conferred the ordination by the imposition of hands and the prayer of ordination.

“My dear people, let us pray that God the all-powerful Father will pour out abundantly the gifts of heaven in this, his servant, whom he has chosen for the office of Priest,” the Archbishop announced.

After Balajadia acquiesced to the Promises of the Elect, which includes exercising the ministry of the word worthily and wisely, Archbishop Krebs implored the community to not stop supporting Balajadia as his journey has just begun.

“You can’t be a priest over night, or even in seven years…He is a brother for all of us now and we must stay beside him in his religious journey,” the Archbishop said.

After prostrating himself and promising obedience, the audience resoundingly applauded as Balajadia was vested with a stole, symbolizing his priestly office.

Fr. Jimenez also announced that Balajadia will be assigned to Mt. Carmel Cathedral to serve as parochial vicar. In his remarks, the newly vested priest thanked his family, friends, and members of the community for their unconditional support and love in his journey into the Holy Order.

“To the people of the diocese, my family, friends, parishioners I am so grateful or your presence with me this morning. All of you here are always in my heart and prayers,” he said. “Let us continue to pray and work to foster more local vocations to the priesthood and religious life.”

His mother, Elizabeth S. Balajadia, said she is elated to see the day of her son’s ordination finally arrive.

“It is a happy occasion. It hasn’t happened in a long time. I hope that perhaps we will have more,” she told the Saipan Tribune.” I;m at a lost with words. I wish him the best along with the diocese. We are thankful for everyone’s prayers. People have been supportive. As we prepared, everyone came around and helped in every way.”

His sister, Maria, said that she is overwhelmed with joy. “It’s a bit surreal to see someone as devoted as he is to the church, complete this step in his life with an entire island’s support,” she added.

Santa Remedios parishioner Rick Kautz expressed similar sentiments, saying that the island has a a new shepherd that “will pull the flock together”.

Mount Carmel School social studies teacher Rosiky Camacho taught Balajadia during his high school years. Camacho said he got goose bumps when he saw his former student at the altar.

“He finally made it. Now the real work starts,” Camacho added. “This is a good addition to the clergy and it is an inspiration to our youth.

Fr. Isaac Ayuyu mentored Balajadia at Santa Soledad parish in the months leading to both his diaconate and priestly ordination.

“Seeing James grow and learn so much with the pastoral duties fills my heart with so much joy,” he sad. “I am honored to have mentored him. All the time we put in it is worth it, because now we finally have another local priest to serve the people of God here.”

Balajadia, a 2007 Mount Carmel School alumnus, completed his graduate studies and formation to the priesthood at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome after transferring from Mount Angel in Fall of 2012, where he double majored in Philosophy and Literature.

The last ordination in the CNMI took place seven years ago when Fr. Jesse Reyes was ordained a priest.

Balajadia celebrated his first mass at Kristo Rai parish yesterday.