Courtesy of Claretian Missionaries 

Father José Alexander Gaitán Montes, CMF, died Sept. 6, in an accidental drowning in El Salvador. He was 51 years old. Father Gaitán served in the Archdiocese of Atlanta for five years. 

Father Gaitán was born on March 9, 1975, in Bogotá, Colombia. He is survived by his father Luis Jorge Gaitán, his mother Ana Nelly Montes, his brother Mauricio Andres Gaitán and many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.  

Before Father Gaitán moved to the United States and joined the Claretians, he completed his formal education in his home country, attending the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Bogotá from 1993-1995 earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He also studied finances and international business/technology at the University Santiago of Cali in Valle del Cauca from 1999-2003. 

Once he joined the Claretians in August of 2003, he continued his formation attending Catholic Theological Union in Chicago from 2004-1010 where he earned a Master of Divinity. At the same time, he earned a certificate in Hispanic ministry and theology, and a Master of Arts in research in spirituality/cross-cultural spirituality. 

Father Gaitán made his first profession as a Claretian Missionary on Sept. 5, 2005, and his perpetual profession on Aug. 22, 2009. He was ordained a priest on Dec. 3, 2011, by Claretian Bishop Plácido Rodríguez at Holy Cross Church in Chicago. 

Prior to his ordination, Father Gaitán was assigned to the Claretian parish of St. Paul (Chicago) from 2003-2008, where he assisted with RCIA, first Communion and as a baptism catechist. He also led a bible study group at the parish. He then moved to Holy Cross/Immaculate Heart of Mary (Chicago), from 2008-2013, where he became the RCIA director. Following ordination, he became the associate pastor and spiritual director for lay Claretians at the church. 

From 2013-2018, Father Alex served as associate pastor of Corpus Christi Church in Stone Mountain, in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. While at the DeKalb County parish, he was also the director of Hispanic ministry, a spiritual director for lay Claretians and led bible studies at a trailer park community. The response to the study program resulted in the training of laypeople to teach the bible groups. 

His next two assignments would take him to California. From 2018 to 2019 he served as associate pastor at San Gabriel Mission in San Gabriel, California, where he was also the province’s SOMI (solidarity and mission) coordinator. Then, from 2020-2022 he moved to Fresno to work at the Claretian parish of St. Anthony M. Claret Church as pastor. 

During his next assignment at St. Joseph parish in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 2024, his ministry as a true champion for the migrant community began. Shortly after moving to Jersey City, the Archdiocese of Newark assigned Father Gaitán as immigration ministry coordinator for the archdiocese. He was also assigned as part of the order’s United Nations team and continued as the province SOMI Coordinator until his death. 

Recognition for his work with immigrants at many of the ministry sites he served have poured in including a special condolence from the Governor of the State of New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill, who wrote, “Fr. Gaitan had a heart of pure gold and was dedicated to helping anyone who knew him. He faithfully served his religion and migrants from all walks of life with compassion and hope. His deep commitment to immigration ministry and his mission of serving all immigrants in Newark, New Jersey, is a testament to his wonderful character and a life fulfilled with purpose and motivated by a powerful love that will be cherished forever.” 

A memorial Mass was celebrated Sept. 29 in Jersey City, and the Mass of Christian Burial for Father Gaitán was Sept. 12 at Parroquia Corazón de María in San Salvador. 

To view a video reflection from Father Gaitán, visit the Claretian Missionaries at claretians.org/in-remembrance-father-alex-gaitan.