Ordination to the Priesthood: David Trujillo

Friday, Jun. 19, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — As transitional deacon David Trujillo looks back on his journey to the priesthood, he said he is thankful for his family and friends for their love and support and their faith and prayers. 

“I am also grateful for the words of gratitude the Catholic community has expressed and their words of encouragement as they have listened to my homilies or a Gospel I proclaimed and said they heard something that really moved them,” he said.

Deacon Trujillo entered Mount Angel Seminary in Saint Benedict, Ore., in 2009 and has been preparing for this day in many ways, he said.

“It’s all been a constant unfolding of the Holy Spirit and God working in my life,” Deacon Trujillo said. “My family was deeply devoted to Catholicism; they are from the Santa Fe, N.M. area, and there was a lot of tradition, devotion and prayer in my childhood. I went with my mother to daily Mass, and she and my family taught me to pray. I was 14 when I initially heard a call to the priesthood; I stayed committed to the community on many levels throughout my life.”

Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, Diocese of Salt Lake City vicar general, recalled meeting Deacon Trujillo while he was pastor of Saint Ann Parish in Salt Lake City and the diocesan director of vocations.

“I interviewed David and helped in his discernment process,” Msgr. Bircumshaw said. “He grew up in the Salt Lake Valley, and had a background in retail and customer service with American Express. He also had been involved in performing arts, in opera and in various films,” and producing and directing a short film based on Latino folklore.

“David is a consummate gentleman who has an ability to listen and reach out to people in a very sensitive and caring manner,” Msgr. Bircumshaw said. “The people to whom Father Trujillo ministers will encounter a very kind and mature priest who will be eager to walk with them on their spiritual journeys.”   

Deacon Trujillo said he discovered in the seminary an “inner grace” through prayer, community, service, liturgy, education and participation that has “formed me to reveal an outward sign of service in giving glory to God. Formation is learning about yourself and your faith, which is ongoing – a lifelong process to leadership in the priesthood,” he said.

Throughout his training, Deacon Trujillo has served at Saint George Parish in St. George, Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish in Park City, and Saint Ambrose Parish and the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City. His clinical pastoral service was through the Veterans Administration Medical Center and Saint Joseph Villa in Salt Lake City. He also served weekend assignments in Keizser, Ore., at Saint Edward’s Parish. It was there he officiated at his first baptism and served in the RCIA program.

As a deacon, “I learned a deeper appreciation for the liturgy of the Mass and service, especially helping those who are new to the faith; helping them in their journey, which also has strengthened my faith,” he said. 

“My first baptism was a 3-year-old and I  was so elated and caught up in the moment; I was captured by the grace that filled this child who was now born into the faith, the spiritual life and the Kingdom of God,” he said. “It was beyond description, and that is how I’ve approached all my baptisms, with that same joy and elation, because in all the sacraments Christ is present, and I am only an instrument for God.”

Deacon Trujillo assisted in the RCIA program in various parishes, he said. “RCIA was rewarding on many levels because I was not only assisting the teacher and the priest about the Catholic faith, I was learning how much I had taken for granted about what the Catholic faith has to offer. One catechumen asked, ‘Does God hear me when I pray?’ I learned not to judge our prayers and explained that nurturing a relationship, a communication with God is what makes seeking understanding beautiful.” 

Deacon Trujillo has discerned the priesthood for a long time, he said. “Through prayer and a spiritual maturity, I have come to know and feel a peace that I am in the right place at the right time in my life.” 

His Thanksgiving Mass will be at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 5 p.m. Saturday, June 27. Beginning Aug. 15 he will be assigned to Saint Joseph Parish in Ogden.