About Our Lady of Guadalupe · San Diego, California
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Jesuit parish in the Logan Heights / Barrio Logan neighborhood of San Diego, California, founded in 1917 as a mission for Mexican refugees of the Revolution and served continuously by the Society of Jesus since 1940. Today it is the spiritual heart of one of San Diego's oldest Mexican-American communities, known affectionately as 'Su Casa en el Barrio' — your home in the Barrio. The parish welcomes all through Ignatian spirituality and the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrating the Eucharist in Spanish and English for thousands of parishioners each week.
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Rector
- Rev. Scott Santarosa, SJ
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
Our Lady of Guadalupe is more than a parish — it is a home. For over a century it has been the spiritual anchor of San Diego's Mexican-American community in Logan Heights and Barrio Logan, sustained by the Jesuits since 1940. Weekday and most Sunday Masses are celebrated in Spanish, with one English Mass on Sundays, and the parish offers a deep Ignatian spirituality rooted in the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Whether you are drawn by its history, its ministries (from Quinceañera preparation to youth ministry, the Guadalupanas, the Matrimonial Group, Adoración Nocturna, and a Mental Health Ministry), or simply by a community that will know your name, you will find a place here.
Mass times at Our Lady of Guadalupe
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday – Friday: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm (bilingual)
- Saturday: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (bilingual)
Adoration times
- Adoración Nocturna — every first Saturday of the month after the 7:00 pm Mass, continuing through the night until the 6:30 am Sunday Mass
Our Story & Mission
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish describes its mission through four movements, lived through Ignatian spirituality and the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Welcome everyone, Celebrate our Life Together, Grow in the Faith, and Serve Others with Joy. The parish exists to accompany, inspire, and educate — especially Mexican-Americans — in their journeys with the Blessed Virgin and her Divine Son. Rooted in over a century of barrio history, it remains a home for Logan Heights and Barrio Logan.
- Welcome everyone
- Celebrate our Life Together
- Grow in the Faith
- Serve Others with Joy
Parish History
Founded in 1917 as La Purisima Mission for refugees of the Mexican Revolution, the parish was renamed Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1921 and designated the Mexican national parish of San Diego. Augustinian Recollects built the present church (dedicated 1931); the Jesuits took over in 1940 and have ministered here ever since. Generations of barrio families have been baptized, married, and buried from this church, which has weathered the construction of I-5, the Coronado Bridge, and Highway 94 through the heart of its neighborhood.
- 1917 — La Purisima Mission founded for Mexican refugees
- 1921 — Renamed Our Lady of Guadalupe; designated Mexican national parish
- 1922 — Small church at 1704 Kearney Avenue completed under Fr. Juan Coma
- 1923–1939 — Spanish Augustinian Recollects administer the parish
- 1931 — Current church dedicated December 13
- 1932 — Society of Charity of Saint Rita founded
- 1940 — Jesuits arrive under Fr. Benjamin P. Silva, SJ
- 1946 — Elementary and junior high school founded by Franciscan Tertiary Mothers
- 1958 — Fr. Jaime Rasura, SJ begins his 52-year ministry
- 1968 — Fr. Richard Hyatt Brown, SJ begins his 50-year ministry
- 1973 — Merger of OLG and Our Lady of the Angels schools into Our Lady's School
- 2010 — Specific territorial jurisdiction granted for Barrio Logan and Logan Heights
The Jesuits at OLG
Jesuits of the (now) West Province have staffed Our Lady of Guadalupe since 1940, when Bishop Charles Buddy invited the order to take over the parish. The parish is affiliated with the Jesuits West Province. Notable Jesuit pastors include Fr. Richard Hyatt Brown, SJ, and Fr. Jaime Rasura, SJ, whose combined decades of ministry saw an estimated 60,000 baptisms between them.
- Father Benjamin P. Silva, SJ — first Jesuit pastor (1940)
- Father Jaime Rasura, SJ — 52 years (1958–2010)
- Father Richard Hyatt Brown, SJ — 50 years (1968–2018)
- Father Robert Fambrini, SJ — pastor who secured territorial jurisdiction in 2010
- Father Scott Santarosa, SJ — current pastor; former Provincial of the Jesuits West Province
Live-Streamed Masses
When public worship was limited, the parish livestreamed Masses on Facebook. The parish Facebook page remains a hub for online community and announcements.
- Sundays 8:30 am (English) and 10:00 am (Spanish) — Facebook livestream
- Tuesdays–Fridays 8:00 am (Spanish) — Facebook livestream
Your Pastoral Team
Our Lady of Guadalupe is staffed by a team of Jesuit priests, a permanent deacon, and dedicated lay staff. The parish is bilingual (English/Spanish) and serves a predominantly Spanish-speaking community.
- Fr. Scott Santarosa, SJ — Pastor
- Fr. Hung Nguyen, SJ — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Neal Wilkinson, SJ — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Brad Mills, SJ — Parochial Vicar / Mental Health Ministry
- Deacon Javier Mozo — Liturgical Ministry
- Dr. Trish Heras — Director of Faith Formation
- April Martinez — Youth Ministry Coordinator
- Natalie Valle — Director of Faith Formation (also listed in staff)
- Claudia Halley — Director of Major Gifts
- Blanca Cintron — Business Manager
- Bertha Olivas — Parish Secretary
- Jesenia Souriyasak — Parish Secretary
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 am – 1:30 pm and 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Faith formation is described by the parish as 'a vital element of the Catholic life.' Programs serve children, teens, and adults, and are organized around the sacraments of initiation.
- Family Catechesis (First Holy Communion preparation, grades 3–7, two-year process on Sundays)
- Special Religious Education Family Catechesis (grades 3–8 for children with special needs, one-year)
- RCIC — Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (ages 8–12)
- Confirmation Program / RCIT — Rite of Christian Initiation for Teens (grades 9–12)
- One-year Confirmation option for 12th graders and youth with special needs
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
- Ongoing Faith Formation for all ages
Quinceañera Ministry
Although not a sacrament, the parish celebrates Quinceañera with a formation program. The young woman and her parents must meet with the coordinator, attend preparation classes, complete a youth retreat, attend Sunday Mass for nine months, and are highly recommended to receive Reconciliation before the Mass of Thanksgiving. Fees are $600 for parishioners (registered 6+ months) and $1,200 for non-parishioners; deposit $100, balance due 60 days before the Mass.
- Friday 2:30 pm; Saturday 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm
- Mass scheduled nine months in advance
Matrimonial Group (Marriage Ministry)
The Matrimonial Group, led by coordinators Ricardo y Nereyda Villa, meets every Monday from 6:30–8:30 pm in the parish hall for prayer in the style of the Charismatic Renewal. They offer retreats and ongoing follow-up, helping couples live their marriage with love and happiness.
- Mondays 6:30–8:30 pm in the parish hall
- Offers retreats and supports diocesan Catholic Renewal events
Youth Ministry
High School Youth Ministry continues the legacy of Fr. Richard Brown's Christian Youth Organization (CYO). The CYO grew rapidly thanks to its dedicated Sunday Masses, and the parish continues to welcome teens to 'go forth and set the world on fire.' Youth are expected to attend Youth Mass regularly as part of Confirmation preparation.
- High School Youth Ministry led by the Youth Ministry Coordinator
- Rooted in Fr. Brown's CYO tradition
Liturgical Ministries
Every member of the parish is invited to serve in the liturgy. Coordinated by Deacon Javier Mozo, the liturgical ministries help make the services at OLG a joyful spiritual experience for the thousands who attend each week.
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (confirmed Catholics age 16+)
- Lectors
- Ushers / Hospitality
- Altar Servers (youth)
- Sacristans
- Music Ministry (choir for Sunday Masses and devotional liturgies)
- Media Team (social media / livestream support)
Mental Health Ministry
Led by Fr. Brad Mills, SJ (ext. 221), this ministry offers spiritual support, accompaniment, and hope to individuals and families experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, grief, or other mental health challenges. Rooted in the mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and partnered with the Diocese of San Diego Mental Health Ministry Network, it bridges faith and mental health and connects parishioners to community resources. The ministry is not therapy and does not replace professional treatment.
- Partners: Diocese of San Diego Mental Health Ministry, San Diego County Behavioral Health Services, 211 San Diego
- Crisis resources: 911 (mental health emergency), 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, San Diego Access & Crisis Line 888-724-7240, Crisis Text Line (HELLO to 741741)
- Also: NAMI San Diego, Guild of St. Benedict Joseph Labre, Survivors of Suicide Loss
Other Parish Ministries & Outreach
Beyond the liturgy, the parish runs and supports a wide range of ministries — from devotion groups to social outreach and migrant accompaniment — that embody its Ignatian call to serve others with joy.
- Guadalupanas (women's devotion)
- Men's Prayer Group
- CERS — Comunidad Evangelizadora para la Reconciliación y el Servicio
- Hospital and Homebound Ministry
- Prison Ministry
- Knights of Columbus (parish affiliation)
- Migrant Ministry
- Food pantry / serving the poor
Parish Life & Getting Involved
The parish describes the Eucharist as the heart of parish life, with the parish family as the body that makes it a unique and vibrant community. 'God calls us to use our gifts and talents to glorify Him and make life better for other people.' The parish welcomes ideas for new ministries from parishioners.
- Liturgical, social justice, formation, and devotion ministries
- Open to new ministry ideas — contact the parish office
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm and 2:00 to 6:00 pm. Sunday Masses are celebrated outside in the patio, and weekday Masses inside the church. The parish is located in the Logan Heights / Barrio Logan area east of downtown San Diego, the historic heart of Mexican-American San Diego.
- Address: 1770 Kearney Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113
- Phone: (619) 233-3838
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 am – 1:30 pm and 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Juan Coma1921–
First rector after La Purisima was renamed Our Lady of Guadalupe; oversaw construction of the small church at 1704 Kearney Avenue.
- Spanish Augustinian Recollectsc. 1923–1939
Built the current church, dedicated December 13, 1931; sheltered exiled Mexican priests during the Cristero persecution.
- Father Benjamin P. Silva, SJ1940–
First Mexican Jesuit pastor; invited with Father Julio Vertiz, SJ, by Bishop Charles Buddy.
- Father Jaime Rasura, SJ1958–2010
52-year ministry; thousands of baptisms, marriages, funerals; devoted to Guadalupanas, men's prayer group, hospital/homebound ministry, altar boys, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis.
- Father Richard Hyatt Brown, SJ1968–2018
50-year ministry; pastor 1968–2005, then senior priest until 2018; founded the CYO; merged schools into Our Lady's School; 'El Padrecito del Barrio' / 'Brownie'; died 2020 at age 93.
- Father Robert Fambrini, SJpastor by 2010
In 2010 requested territorial jurisdiction for the parish so it could focus on Barrio Logan and Logan Heights.
- Father Scott Santarosa, SJcurrent
Current pastor; previously Provincial of the Oregon and U.S. West Provinces of the Jesuits; ordained 2000.