Dominicans moving back home to Spain

Father Benito Retortillo, O.P. and Father Epi in front of St. Francis De Paula in San Diego, their home for many years. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

The last two remaining Dominican priests in the Diocese of Corpus Christi are returning home to Spain on July 1, bringing to end more than 80 years of service to the parish communities in San Diego and the surrounding area.

Father Benito Retortillo, OP is pastor of St. Francis de Paula in San Diego, which has served as headquarters for the Order of Preachers since 1931. The Dominican priests will return to Spain in July after 82 years of service to the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Photo by Rebecca Esparza for the South Texas Catholic.

Father Benito Retortillo, O.P., 76, has been all over the world during his 51-years of service to the Church, from the Dominican Republic to the mountains of Guatemala to working with the poorest of the poor in Mexico. More than half of his time as a priest has been in San Diego.

He arrived in San Diego 27 years ago and has been making a difference in the lives of parishioners at St. Francis de Paula ever since, alongside 85-year-old Father Epifanio Rodríguez, O.P., or Father Epi as he is known by his parishioners. Father Epi arrived in San Diego in 1957.

But now, the time has come for both priests to return to Spain.

The Dominicans have called all remaining priests in the Americas back to Spain, due to a shortage in vocations. Father Benito and Father Epi’s last day of service at St. Francis de Paula will be June 30. The details of their return have yet to be confirmed, but one thing is certain: on July 1 both priests will board a plane for Spain.

Father Benito, pastor and superior at the church, said although he will miss his parishioners, which he considers his extended family, the time has come to go home.

“I’ve enjoyed serving the people of San Diego, including the smaller communities and ranches around this area, but we have been called home. Retirement is waiting for us both back in Spain,” he said. “It’s definitely a bittersweet time for us all.”

Father Epi, said parishioners at St. Francis de Paula are the most kind and giving people he’s ever met.

“Everyone is always ready to help. We have music at each Mass and we have volunteers who make sure every role is filled. I’ve loved working with our generous and friendly parishioners over these years,” Father Epi said, who celebrates 59 years as a priest this year.

Father Epi tells story of when he traveled to Mexico in 1960 to retrieve the numerous stained glass windows that adorn the church to this day. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

He recalled an instance when he traveled to Mexico in 1960 to procure ornate stained glass windows for the church. The windows continue to adorn the church to this day, perfectly intact.
“I’ve seen the church grow and change tremendously over the years, including the closing of our school in 1962,” he lamented.

Pointing to several beautiful large trees between the rectory and the church, Father Epi said proudly, “I remember planting those trees many, many years ago.”

St. Francis de Paula was established in 1866, making it one of the oldest parishes in the diocese. In 1931, the Dominicans came to serve in the diocese, specifically Duval, Jim Wells and for a short period in Brooks counties.

A 29-year-old Father Epi visited St. Francis De Paula in San Diego a few years before he would be assigned to the parish in 1959. At right, Father Benito Retortillo, O.P. and Father Epi in front of St. Francis De Paula in San Diego, their home for many years. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

“By the late 1960s, we had 11 Dominican priests throughout the area. Today, Father Epi and I are the only ones left,” Father Benito said. “Throughout our many years here, we have never once missed a Mass. And we have Mass everyday.”

Ramona “Monche” Trejo, 77, parish secretary, has been a lifelong parishioner at St. Francis de Paula. Although she began volunteering with the church back in 1963 as a CCD teacher, she officially joined the staff in 1996.

“It’s the end of an era,” she said. Trejo said working with the two priests has been a wonderful experience and added she feels their presence will be sorely missed.

“I was as an altar server with Father Epi, and my children served with Father Benito,” Alfredo Cardenas, editor of the South Texas Catholic said. “We will miss them greatly. So will the community, they have been pillars of San Diego for a long time.”

Father Benito said he’s seen many moving things during his tenure at the parish, but one of the most memorable was a young disabled boy who never missed one Sunday Mass with his family.

“His determination to attend Mass every week was so inspiring to me. It’s not easy for the family, not easy for him, but they never missed a Sunday Mass,” Father Benito said. “It would make me think about this young man’s devotion to be closer to God. Witnessing his courage on a weekly basis is something I will never forget.”

Like this boy’s witness, Father Benito and Father Epi’s devotion to God and his Church will never be forgotten in San Diego.