Fr. Pinto

Fr. Santan Pinto, a priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), served God's people by forming laity as Disciples of Jesus and Mary. He conducted retreats, preached at parish missions, conducted healing services, spoke at conferences, and guided many in spiritual direction.

Fr. Pinto's ministry took off  because of the Marian Conference when Our Lady asked him to start the work of forming laity as disciples. This is the reason why Our Lady of Guadalupe appears in all these ministries. It was Fr. Pinto's desire that all people come to know and love Jesus through the powerful intercession and guidance of Mary.

 

Biography of Fr. Santan Pinto SOLT


Fr. Santan Pinto was born in Surendranagar, in the Northern state of Gugarat on September 13, 1948. He entered eternal life on December 16, 2011.

He spent his early childhood in Goa, situated on the southwestern coast of India. Old Goa is the place where the body of St. Francis Xavier lies for public veneration.

His father Ignatius died in 1957 when Fr. Pinto was only 9 years old. His Mother Annie returned to the Lord on April 5, 2007. He had only one sister, Patsy. 

After completing high school in Belgaum, he joined the Jesuits in 1966. He received a Master's degree in Social Work in 1975. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 30th 1977.

After his ordination, Fr. Pinto heard this call: "Go to America. I want you to serve there." After leaving the Jesuits in 1982, he tried for the next five years to visit America.

During a Catholic charismatic conference in 1987, his mother handed him to the care of our Blessed Mother by saying: "From today onwards, I offer you to Mary. She will be your Mother."

After that day, God provided Fr. Pinto with the means to visit the USA, and on May 15, 1987, Fr. Pinto arrived in New York. Later that year, he joined the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT). He went through the novitiate in 1988.

He became the formation director of the SOLT community, forming priests, seminarians, brothers, sisters and laypersons in their respective vocations and was assisted by religious sisters and lay apostles.

Father continued to serve in his community and also establish the Disciples of Jesus and Mary formation program. On March 18, 2005 he was sworn in as an American citizen.

The Lord called Fr. Pinto to His service as a little child. His only desire was to remain close to the Lord. It is this love of God that burns in his heart for all.

Fr. Pinto worked for some time with Mother Teresa. It was Mother Teresa who taught Fr. Pinto, in 1971, to recognize Jesus in the poor. Mother Teresa once said to him: "Remember Father, that it is the humility of God that made you a priest. Now never forget that!” And his Mother often reminded him: “Be humble, kind and remember you were ordained a priest to serve the poor!”

Procession