On June 12, 2024, a beautiful sun-drenched day, the Saint Ignatius community celebrated the 25th Sacerdotal Anniversary of Rev. Raymond P. Guiao, S.J. ’82 in the St. Mary of the Assumption Chapel. Joined by family, friends, faculty, staff and students, he presided over a Mass filled with gratitude and emotion. Outgoing Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Deborale Richardson-Phillips did a reading and Bill Kelley ’62 read the prayers of the faithful. At the conclusion of his anniversary Mass, Father Guiao was surprised by a video which was a compilation of family, friends and staff sharing warm wishes for Father. He was filled with gratitude as he thanked his well-wishers, and in particular his parents, for helping him celebrate this joyous occasion.
Mass was followed by a reception in The Sullivan Atrium. It was a beautiful celebration to honor our beloved President and Chief Mission Officer.
Fr. Guaio accepted the role as the 26th president of Saint Ignatius and began this leg of his tour in the summer of 2015. This was to be his fourth stretch at Saint Ignatius. He graduated in 1982, returned as a Jesuit Regent in the early 90s, and again in 1999 as a newly ordained priest to spearhead the Liturgical Music Program, and teach Theology and English. He left in 2008 to become Assistant to the Provincial for Formation for the Chicago-Detroit Province of the Society of Jesus.
Becoming a priest wasn’t always the plan for Fr. Guiao. He had planned to follow in the footsteps of his father, Ramon Guiao, M.D., a retired general surgeon. It was during his freshman year in the pre-med program at Case Western Reserve University that his thoughts turned toward the priesthood and, as they say, the rest is history.
Fr. Guiao’s passionate commitment to the priesthood and his Catholic faith has left an indelible mark on the entire Saint Ignatius community and beyond.