Jesús Alirio was born on April 9, 1977 in Teorama, Colombia, the son of Trinidad and Ramona Santiago.  He entered the Institute’s preparatory seminary at Bucaramanga  in 1998 and pursued his philosophical studies at the Pontifical Bolivar University of Medellín.  When these studies were completed he made his novitiate in Argentina.  On December 29, 2001, he made his religious profession and consecrated himself to God.  He then began theology at the international seminary in Bogotá.

Jesús Alirio was doing pastoral work in the parish of Marialabaja.  On July 3 he and a companion were returning home from the village of San Pablo on a motorbike, visibility was poor and they hit a cow.  Both passengers on the motorbike were injured but Jesús’s injuries were more serious.  Doctors in Cartagena discovered cranial trauma.  He underwent a prolonged operation;  his condition was critical and on Sunday, July 6, he returned to the house of our Father – he was 26 years old.

From what his friends and teachers tell us it is evident that Jesús Alirio was a young man totally convinced of his missionary calling who hoped to spend his life in the service of his brothers.  He had a strong and forceful personality and would defend his opinions energetically.  At times he lost his temper but was always quick to make amends.

His vocation journey was not without setbacks but he gradually came to identify profoundly with the Consolata charisma.  He wanted very much to be a missionary in Africa.  He was quick to volunteer for work in the house and collaborated in mission promotion – he distributed the periodical “Dimensión Misionera.”

As part of his missionary commitment he devoted himself to teaching catechism to the poor, to celebrating the Word and to distributing the donations he had received from others.  He was soon assisting a group of some sixty or seventy people.  He did this with enthusiasm and generosity.  At Christmas, Easter and during vacations he worked in our parishes in missionary situations.  He was more interested in people than he was in projects.  He hoped to serve people on a personal level – bringing them to an encounter with the Gospel.   He inherited a deep Marian spirituality from his mother – it took the form of devotion to Our Lady, the Consolata.  He said his daily rosary – both in common or privately – in her honor.

His warm personality found expression in a sincere friendliness that was recognized and valued by his companions.  “Jesús Alirio was a good friend to many Consolata missionaries.  In the seminary he was attentive to small things – he was sensitive to the needs of others.  It was beautiful living with him during our mission in Marialabaja.  I saw how he shared his missionary calling joyfully with prayer groups and people of the  parish.  I often heard him say that being a Consolata missionary, identifying with their charisma and sharing their ideals was the greatest thing that had ever happened to him.  His incomparable smile was evidence of this” (a companion).

Father Sandro Carminati, the Regional Superior, tells of his funeral in his hometown:  “On Tuesday evening, July 8, we celebrated Mass in his hometown.  Many attended.  It was an occasion of faith and thanksgiving for the gift of Alirio’s life.  We prayed together that his death might bring fruits of consolation, hope and missionary zeal.

His body reached the town on Wednesday, July 9 and the funeral took place on the same afternoon.  Fathers Benjamín Martínez, Paul Maina, other priests and the whole Bogotá theologate were present with me.  The number of people attending the funeral was impressive.  At his grave his family – and especially his mother – was surrounded by our community.  We wanted her to know that though she had lost a son she was part of our Consolata Missionary family”.

The Editor of Da Casa Madre