On May 26 at Annunciation Catholic Church of Denver, Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M.Cap.  of Philadelphia ordained Brother Christopher Gama, O.F.M.Cap to the diaconate and Deacon Joseph Mary Elder, O.F.M.Cap. to the priesthood.

A capacity crowd filled the historic Church (1883), a home parish to the Capuchins who serve the needs of the inner city.  Capuchin friars traveled from various locations where they minister in Kansas and Colorado.  Brother Mark Schenk, O.F.M.Cap., from Rome, represented the worldwide Capuchin fraternity.

In ordaining Brother Christopher as deacon, Archbishop Chaput proclaimed, “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” 

Born in 1980 in Pueblo, Deacon Christopher Gama joined the Capuchin Franciscans in 2003.  As a young man, Christopher was a wrestler and played baseball at Pueblo South High School. He graduated with honors but did not pursue a congressional nomination to the Naval Academy and West Point. He was a senior at Colorado State University, with on semester shy of a Civil Engineering degree when he answered God’s call. While participating in the holy Mass, Br. Christopher experienced God’s personal love in a deep way. Understanding the reality of Christ present upon the altar in his total, self-giving love, Christopher asked himself what he could do to respond to this love. He decided to give all of himself to the Lord in religious life. Br. Christopher joined the Capuchins because he believed it to be the best way for him to respond to God’s love through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He continues his studies at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. In his next step toward ordination to the priesthood, Deacon Christopher will work at Spirit of Christ Parish in Arvada, Colo. under the direction of Fr. David Bluejacket.  Deacon Christopher will celebrate baptisms, weddings and funerals as well as preach.

Besides inner-city ministries with the poor, Deacon Christopher has been active in evangelization and youth ministry. He is the son of Sally and Jim Pagano of Monument and Philip and Lala Gama of Pueblo. He is also the grandson of Joe Lucero, Pat & Liz Gama and Jim & Jeanne Pagano. While in Pueblo, he was a member of the Shrine of St. Therese Parish where he served as an altar boy in his early years.