Hugo Estrada talks about exorcisms, miracles and the experiences that mark his ministry

What was that call or that encounter with God and your arrival to the priesthood like? That is something very mysterious. How does one day decide to enter a seminar?

At that time, when you entered, you practically stayed there forever. We didn’t even come home during the holidays. After entering the seminary, they sent me to the Seminary of San Juan, in El Salvador. I was there eight years.

I left when I was ten years old and returned when I was already of age. My little brother was afraid of me because he had never seen me. Many people who had known me as a child now saw me as an adult. Sometimes I even felt sorry because, after eight years away from home, it was difficult to relate again. But that was God’s project and it was fulfilled.

He has written many books and has also worked in education. How has each of those experiences helped you grow?

The books are something very impressive. I think that the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, was guiding me, because publishing a book in Guatemala is not easy. Even less publishing thirty or forty. But it is very consoling because you see how far a work can go. For example, my book Meditations for the Days of Suffering was translated into Chinese.

You don’t know how far what you write can go. When I see all that, I say: here is the hand of God. Someone told me that in Mexico they found my books in a bookstore.

It turned out that a publisher had published them without my permission for several years. I looked up the address and called. They told me that they knew my works and that they had published them because they considered them valuable. That was something serious, but at least we made them be more careful. I have also learned that my books have circulated in countries like Argentina and Paraguay. I consider that the Word of God reaching more places is the best reward.

You were already known before social networks. Many people already knew about you because of your programs and reflections. How has that meeting with youth through the networks been?

I think that many young people today do not look much for religious themes on television. However, through the networks they can find something and it works for them. It’s fabulous that I belong to Jesús TV, where they give me all the facilities. The Lord came and said: I give you this channel for religious things. We have been in service for 20 years. Throughout life we ​​all go through very great trials, especially in our country.

(The idea of ​​the TV Jesus Guatemala Ministry was in 1994, masses and activities of Father Hugo Estrada were recorded, the masses or sermons were taken to the hospitals of Chiquimula, later to cable operators in Chiquimula and the east of the country, later to other places even outside of Guatemala. It became a commercial television station different from the ministry in which different people donate their service to the mission of evangelization).

What message of hope can you give for those difficult times?

In the Letter to the Romans we find an impressive phrase: “Everything works out for good to those who love God.” That’s the advice. Everything turns out for the best, but for those who love God. That does not mean that we are exempt from tragedies or problems. The saints had many problems and never reneged. Rather, those sufferings helped them on their path to holiness.

For example, Saint John Bosco had a boarding school for poor boys. One day they told him that there was no more food to feed them. There was only a basket with a few loaves left. However, he went to the dining room and began to distribute the bread. It was enough for everyone and there was still left over. That is Divine Providence. God acts in ways that we do not understand. These miracles encourage us to trust. The Lord does things his way and never abandons those who trust in Him.

Do you consider that you have seen miracles on your priestly path?

It’s a long road. The greatest miracles I have seen are the changes in people. People who change completely from one day to the next and become better human beings. Some have been attending Mass for years, but suddenly they begin to live their faith in a completely different way, with much more depth.
Those are enormous miracles. A materialistic person may not even realize it, but from a spiritual point of view they are extraordinary transformations.

When we talk about Father Hugo Estrada, many people think about the issue of exorcisms and spiritual help. How did you get into that ministry?

It is a very mysterious field. My brother, Father René Estrada, may he rest in peace, worked in a parish where there were many cases related to spiritualism, witchcraft and spells. I observed some of those experiences and thought maybe I could help too.

As a priest I have that responsibility. I started reading books by people with experience in that field and I dared to help when some cases began to arrive. At first it cost a lot. There were people we prayed for and nothing seemed to happen. I remember one case where I was already exhausted. I told the Lord: “This is as far as I’m going.” Just at that moment the person said: “Father, I’m fine now. Everything is gone. I feel calm.” There I understood that it is God who works. We are only instruments.

Christ said, “In my name they will do these things.” Not in our name, but in his. That is why we must trust in Him and help those who go through these difficulties.

I also remember the case of a person who wore a medallion with religious images. A spiritually experienced woman told him to take it off. Later we investigated and discovered that that object came from a spiritualist center. Then we understood the importance of spiritual discernment.

Many people listen to his reflections. What do you say to God and Saint John Bosco today?

I am very happy because I feel that, in some way, I have tried to repeat what Saint John Bosco did. He was a man of enormous trust in God. There are very beautiful stories about his life. It is said that, when he faced danger, a dog called “El Gris” appeared and protected him. He only appeared in times of emergency. The Providence of God was always present in his life. He had to face many spiritual and human problems, but he always trusted in the Lord.

What message do you want to leave to all the people who listen to you and who have followed your ministry for so many years?

If we love God, He will turn everything for our good. Even that which seems like a tragedy or a loss. The death of a loved one, deep suffering or a painful experience can be transformed into a path to God. That is why we must keep the faith. Many people come to God just to ask. The most common prayer is usually: “I ask you, I ask you, I ask you.” However, the prayer of praise is not so frequent. Sometimes people only look for the solution to their problems and do not look for God Himself. And that is serious. We can even go to church for many years and still not have had a true personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Each person must examine themselves and ask themselves: Am I living my faith authentically or am I just mechanically repeating things? Jesus said, “When the Spirit of Truth, the Paraclete, comes, He will be within you and will lead you into all truth.” That is why we must invoke the Holy Spirit with faith, to lead us to the truth and the will of God for our lives.