No history of El Rito would be valid without a look at Very Rev. Monsignor Jerome Martinez y Alire. His impact on the community is still being felt today
His extensive educational background and knowledge had brought unity to our community. Monsignor was and raised in the barrios of Santa Fe and is part of a 12th generation New Mexican family. His family was supportive in his quest to follow his dream of becoming a Catholic priest. He attended college, and was ordained when he was still a young man.
It was then that Monsignor began his quest to help the people of New Mexico to understand the power of Christ and his teachings. He served as priest in El Rito, NM. It was in the small community of El Rito that Monsignor helped the town to rebuild their church after it had fallen down. God helped Monsignor to unite the community and rebuild the church.
When the Archbishop heard of the wonderful work that he accomplished in El Rito, he was called to help the people of Santa Fe to build a new beautiful church. This church would be called Santa Maria de la Paz, and is one of the most beautiful churches in the Southwest. But his journey was not done there. Msgr. Jerome was called to help in a way that would help him to become one of the most well known personalities in New Mexico.
He was then called upon to lead the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in downtown Santa Fe. It was there that the history and triumphs of Santa Fe’s culture was shown by the light that Monsignor had attained by his experiences with small Northern New Mexican towns.
PLEASE CONSIDER sharing your memories of this man of God. You can do so here:
