My name is José Manuel Mendoza, and I am from Santa Cruz Tepenixtlahuaca, Juquila, Oaxaca, Mexico. My native language is Chatino, which is spoken by approximately fifty thousand indigenous people in the southwestern region of
Mexico (the state of Oaxaca). Chatino is my first language, and Spanish is the second, and now I am learning English. I am twenty-eight years old. I have three
brothers and two sisters, and I am the third in my family. When I was fourteen years old, I left my village and traveled to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, for work and to be able to attend high school. It was there that I began to study Spanish.

When I was twenty-one years old, I joined the Franciscan Friars of St. Peter and St. Paul Province in Michoacan, Mexico. There I completed my Aspirancy, Postulancy,Novitiate and my Philosophy studies. I professed my Simple Vows in Querétaro, Mexico, on July 13, 2016. I have been in temporary vows for four years. One year ago I arrived in El Paso, Texas where I studied Theology.

My desire to become a Franciscan continues as I am now a member of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe in New Mexico. I came to Albuquerque on the feast of St.
Peter and St. Paul. I am living at “Casa de Guadalupe” which is the Mother House of Guadalupe Province. I am currently taking English classes so that I can continue my studies and my formation to be a Franciscan. I am pleased for this opportunity and for the new experience.

Please pray for me (jniä n´hí Ndiösé nshö nnä – Chatino language).