“I love the spiritual freedom we get to experience as religious. Before becoming a Jesuit, I enjoyed the ‘freedom’ of being financially independent. … It was not until I entered the Society when I realized how attached to temporal things I was. As a Jesuit, I am reminded every day to let go of my attachments, to surrender all I have for Christ.”
Spent one month walking the Camino Ignaciano, a 400-mile pilgrimage following the route Ignatius of Loyola would have made in 1522 from his home in Spain’s Basque country to the town of Manresa near Barcelona.
Worked for two years at Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola in San Juan, Puerto Rico, teaching religion and participating in retreat ministry.
Taught an Ignatian leadership course for undergraduates at Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid.
Will serve at Gesù Church in Miami.
Orlando Portalatin, SJ, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was raised by his parents, Joaquin and Lydia, along with his brothers Alberto and Edwin. At 13, he joined his parish youth group, and it was there where he first felt a call to become a priest. After graduating high school, Orlando moved to Florida to pursue a career in business. Prior to joining the Society of Jesus in 2015, he worked for 20 years in the human resources management field and was heavily involved in youth and young adult ministry in the Diocese of Orlando. He learned of the Jesuits through an Ignatian retreat program he attended at his parish, Annunciation Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs, Florida.
As a novice, Orlando did chaplaincy work at a hospital in Kansas, managed a hospitality shelter for migrants in Texas and worked in campus ministry in Colorado. He professed first vows in 2017 and completed his philosophy studies at Loyola University Chicago in 2020. For regency, Orlando taught religion for two years at Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola in San Juan. He then moved to Spain to study theology at Universidad Pontificia Comillas. As a deacon, he served at San Dámaso and Our Lady of Mercy parishes in Madrid. Orlando will serve at Gesù Church in Miami after ordination.
Bachelor’s degree, business administration, University of Central Florida; Master’s degree, industrial/organizational psychology, University of Central Florida; Master’s degree, business administration, University of Central Florida; Master’s degree, social philosophy, Loyola University Chicago; Bachelor in Sacred Theology, Universidad Pontificia Comillas
There are several saints I have deep devotion for: St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Ávila, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, to name a few. Among the Jesuit saints, St. Alphonsus Rodriguez is probably my favorite. While he doesn't receive as much attention as other Jesuits like St. Ignatius, St. Francis Xavier or St. Edmund Campion, his life was marked by profound humility, perseverance and holiness. He became a Jesuit later in life, something I can relate with.
After suffering the loss of his wife and children, Alphonsus entered the Society at the age of 40. For many years, he served joyfully as a doorkeeper at a Jesuit college in Mallorca greeting visitors and students with kindness and spiritual wisdom. Despite this simple role, he was a deeply spiritual man, known for his devoted prayer life and mystical experiences. He even inspired St. Peter Claver to dedicate his life to ministering to enslaved people. His sanctity lies in his quiet, faithful commitment to seemingly small things. He is a true testament of how ordinary acts of love and service can lead to extraordinary holiness.
One particularly inspiring chapter in history is the role the Society of Jesus played in the Catholic Reformation of the 16th century. A key figure in this movement was St. Peter Canisius, a Jesuit priest, theologian and missionary who made a profound impact during a time of intense division sparked by the Protestant Reformation. As a prominent scholar, Canisius participated in the Council of Trent, contributing to vital discussions on Catholic reform and renewal.
Amid the rapid spread of Protestantism, Canisius dedicated himself to restoring the Catholic faith across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. What set him apart was his emphasis on peaceful dialogue and reasoned argument rather than confrontation or coercion — a stance that earned him respect even from his adversaries. Instead of resorting to hostility or condemnation, Canisius engaged Protestants with clarity, compassion and humility, carefully listening to their concerns and responding thoughtfully.
Why is this story so inspiring? In the example of Peter Canisius, the Jesuits demonstrated that persuasion and understanding are often more effective than violent confrontation during times of division. His approach reminds us to engage others with empathy and respect, even when disagreements arise. Canisius’ ability to uphold Catholic teaching while presenting it with reason and sensitivity offers a powerful lesson for today’s polarized world. It shows that standing firm in one’s principles does not require dismissing or demeaning others but can instead foster respect and constructive dialogue. Unlike debates, which often prioritize winning an argument, or confrontations that intensify conflicts, his approach to disagreements through constructive dialogue demonstrated that meaningful, solution-focused conversations can be achieved.
The Jesuits’ work during the Catholic Reformation, exemplified by Canisius, reveals how intellectual rigor, humility and perseverance can sustain the church and society during periods of adversity. His method of constructive dialogue for promoting unity and understanding in the fractured landscape of the Reformation remains a compelling model for addressing the complex challenges of our own time.
I love the spiritual freedom we get to experience as religious. Before becoming a Jesuit, I enjoyed the “freedom” of being financially independent. I could do what I liked and what I wanted to do. It was not until I entered the Society when I realized how attached to temporal things I was. As a Jesuit, I am reminded every day (through the sacraments, the vows, my community) to let go of my attachments, to surrender all I have for Christ. My life is not about me, but about him. And in this is where I find true freedom. The freedom of realizing that I am not leading the way; he is!
