For the second time in a little more than a year, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Mecca has lost its pastor to COVID-19.
Father Jesús Samuel Palomares Vega, S.T., passed away at his parish rectory on Feb. 16 at the age of 58. His death was unexpected and he had exhibited only mild symptoms in the days leading up to his death. The cause was initially unclear but an autopsy report and his death certificate from the Riverside County Public Health Department confirmed that he died from complications from COVID-19.
Fr. Palmores was appointed pastor of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe only eight months ago. The previous pastor, Father Francisco Valdovinos, S.T., passed away on Jan. 17, 2021 of COVID-19.
Father Francisco Gómez, S.T., the pastor of nearby parish Our Lady of Soledad in Coachella, called the sudden death of Fr. Palomares “an absolute shock.”
“There is a sadness that weighs heavy over both Our Lady of Soledad and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It feels as if we were just beginning to heal from one loss [the passing of Fr. Valdovinos], and then comes another,” said Fr. Gómez.
Francisco Sanchez, a parishioner of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, characterized the mood of the parish as stunned but prayerful.
“It’s a time of reflection on how the Lord invites us to be prepared,” he said. “Nobody knows the date or the hour.”
Fr. Palomares was born in Mexico City, Mexico on Dec. 24, 1963. He entered the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity and professed his vows on Sept. 8, 1988. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 27, 1992 in Mexico City.
As a missionary priest he served at several missions in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United States. He was assigned to Our Lady of Soledad, Coachella in June 2015 as parochial vicar and was named pastor of the Sanctuary Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mecca in July 2021. Sanchez said Fr. Jesus’s charisma and his demonstration of God’s love helped the parish heal from the death of Fr. Valdovinos.
“Even though he was here for a short time we embraced him right away,” he said.
Fr. Palomares was a talented musician and choirmaster, especially with children. Father Michael Barth, S.T., his Congregation’s General Custodian, called Fr. Palomares “kind and generous.”
Fr. Palomares is survived by two sisters, Patricia and Dora, who live in Mexico.
Fr. Palomares’ Mass of Resurrection, celebrated by Bishop Alberto Rojas, took place on March 1 at Our Lady of Soledad. His body will be taken to Mexico where a funeral celebration will be held for his family. He will be buried in the Missionary Servant section in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
Of Fr. Palomares’ sudden death, Bishop Rojas said, “It shocked me. This is really devastating for the people [of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe], the Trinitarian Community and for all of us.”
Bishop Rojas recalled the joy of the Installation Mass for Fr. Palomares at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe that he celebrated on July 25, 2021. “It was so beautiful to be there,” he said.
As the parish continues to come to terms with the passing of Fr. Palomares, Sanchez said they are recalling a saying that he often repeated to parishioners, “la vida sigue” (life continues).
“It’s a reminder of God’s promise of the Resurrection,” Sanchez said. “Life doesn’t end, it transforms into eternal life.”