Fernando Gutiérrez, a missionary layperson and journalist, visited our college on March 10 to share his inspiring testimony, focusing on his apostolate. His journey to faith began with a life far removed from religion, working as a war reporter. However, a transformative experience at a reception center for the homeless in Melilla, Spain, led to his conversion, which was further deepened during a year spent with the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. In 2018, he founded Mary’s Children Mission in Nairobi, Kenya, a mission dedicated to supporting pregnant teenage mothers by providing them with education, training, and emotional support.
Fernando’s testimony emphasized the power of service and faith as he shared his experiences working with vulnerable children and mothers. In 2024, he embarked on a pilgrimage from Santo Toribio de Liébana, Spain, to Bethlehem, Israel, trusting entirely in Divine Providence to guide him in discerning his next steps in life. His testimony has inspired to us a reflection on the transformative power of faith and the importance of serving those in need.