After a few years of Philosophy and Theology studies, a year of pastoral preparation and the beginning of a career in psychology prior to Priestly Ordination, I was ordained a priest on April 20, 1980. My first destination was to go as a mentor to our seminary in the city of Segovia, where I spent two years. From Segovia I went to the city of Madrid as deputy director of a residence for university students. The name of this College, directed by my Congregation "Jaime del Amo" has a lot to do with my first trip to the USA and to my dear St. Joseph Community.

The college “Jaime del Amo” was a gift from D. Gregorio del Amo, a Spanish doctor who lived in California and married Doña Susana Delfina Domínguez. The Domínguez family was the owner of a large tract of land in the area that today still maintains the names of “Domínguez” and “Del Amo”. When D. Gregorio married Doña Susana Delfina, those lands of the Domínguez family were extensive but unproductive until hundreds of oil wells were implanted. D. Gregorio del Amo, very grateful to the Claretian Missionaries who welcomed him in his California years, made some donations, among them the college “Jaime del Amo”. Jaime for the adoptive son of D. Gregorio.

I resided and worked at “Del Amo” School. Every year, the person who was the secretary of Fr. Gregorio and a Claretian Missionary priest, Fr. Bosi, personal friend of Fr. Gregorio, arrived at the College. One day I said to Father Bosi: "I would like to travel to the United States, help in a parish and take the opportunity to learn a little English." He soon offered me the possibility of traveling to the Parish of St. Joseph, whose parish priest had told Fr. Bosi of the need for help during the priests' vacation time.

August 1986, I travel to California for the first time. Quite an odyssey. It seemed like an endless journey. I had an excellent reception. That first August of 1986 passed and the invitation for the following summer was open. And I came back. Years went by. Every year I came across a change: change of parish priest, parish vicars, office staff ... But thank God there was always someone who welcomed me and remembered me as Father Ángel from Spain.

Every summer I have the opportunity to load my spiritual batteries with your welcome, your looks, hugs and, especially, prayers. Since 1986, many people died who I still remember and love. I have baptized many children who present me today with their parents accompanied by their own children. Three generations close to me: parents, children and grandchildren. I am personally grateful. My summers in St. Joseph are a time of grace, of prayer, of intense life.