25 Years a Priest

Father José Antonio “Tony” Vega, SJ, is celebrating the 25th Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood this year. Born in Orange Walk Town, Belize, Fr. Vega serves as assistant to the dean at St. John’s College, the Jesuit university in Belize City. He also serves as chancellor for the Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan.

Father Vega entered the Society of Jesus in Denver in 1988. He served in pastoral ministry in Tocoa, Colon, Honduras before being assigned to St. John’s College, his alma mater, in 2000. He served as headmaster for the all-boys high school, before serving as associate dean for the college. He has also served St. John’s College as director of the evening program, director of admissions and enrollment, dean of admissions and chaplain.

He has also worked in pastoral ministry at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in New Orleans and served as the Belize Jesuit Community superior from 2011 to 2017.

Father Vega was ordained a priest on June 3, 2000, at La Inmaculada Parish in his hometown of Orange Walk Town, Belize. He professed final vows in the Society of Jesus in the samechurch on Jan 24, 2009.

Father Vega earned an associates degree from St. John’s College, a bachelor’s degree at Loyola University of New Orleans, a master’s and doctorate in educational administration from Saint Louis University, and Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley.