WRESTLING IN THE SHOES OF JACOB: The story of Father Sergio Guttierrez Benitez

A version of this story was  published in The Anchor Catholic Newspaper of Fall River, Ma. on June 22, 2007.

"So Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him till daybreak". Genesis 32:24

     During Father's Day weekend of 2006, movie goers  spent 27 million dollars to watch the agile antics of comedian/actor Jack Black in his starring role in the movie Nacho Libre. Few of them knew, however, that the basis for this movie which had been previously told in a more dramatic way in 1991 as "The Man in the Golden Mask",  was the life of a Catholic priest(known as Fray Tormenta- Brother Storm), whose life and vocation embody the magnanimity of another Mother Teresa.
     In 1961 Sergio Guttierrez Benitez, one of 18 children, roamed the streets of Mexico City. He was known as "The Crook" to his fellow gang members, smoking grass and hanging out with pimps and prostitutes before getting hooked on drugs. When he could bear no more, he went to confession telling the priest that he didn't deserve forgiveness. Whatever dialogue was exchanged between young Sergio and his confessor was enough to make him want to change his life around.and walk through "The narrow gate".
    Benitez was ordained in 1969 and was sent to both Rome and Spain. He was later taught Philosophy and History at universities in Mexico with the goal of teaching in mind but the 22 year old Sergio knew he would be unhappy as a teacher.
     After a chance meeting with a homeless child sleeping under a bridge in Veracruz, he sought permission to found an orphanage and was denied. He abandoned the Scholastic Order and joined the Diocese of Texcoco. Prior to the people of Tiotihuacan raising money for his orphanage, Father Sergio had a flock of 14 children, seven of whom would sleep in his car at night, the other seven would sleep on the ground with Benitez.
     He later secured St. Michael's, a four hundred year old church in Xometla, a village about an hour's journey Northeast of Mexico City. His enrollment burgeoned to over 80 children. Some were runaways, some abandoned. Others were children of prostitutes or drug addicts. Conditions remained oppressive with only toilet and one shower amongst over 80 orphans. As many as 16 boys would sleep in Fater Sergio's room. Over 30 would sleep in a cramped adjoining room. Over a dozen girls slept in two small rented rooms across the street.
     Fees for duties in Mexico have always been paltry to say the least. These fees, which were sometimes as little as $7.00 were not nearly enough to meet the over $1,000 per month food bill. Luckily, all clothing was donated. In a metropolis of 20 million people, the Diocese of Mexico City could not afford to help.
     Then one day, Benitez watched pro wrestling(lucha libre) on TV. He had heard about the large sums that the wrestlers(luchadores), received; about $40.00 in the 1980's. Sergio thought that it was something he could do and do anonimously in order to provide the much needed revenue. He would need a teacher but like in America, pro wrestling in Mexico is very compoetitive and it would be very difficult to get one's foot in the door.
     Finally, a luchadore calling himself  "The Leader" volunteered to train Benitez. For one year, Father Sergio was taught the art of lucha libre and entered the ring under the name of Fray Tormenta  which is translated as Brother Storm. Masked professional wrestling in Mexico carries with it both great history and pride. It stems from the Mexican culture dating back to when the Aztecs donned the masks of jaguars and eagles in fighting off the invading conquistadors. Tormenta was eventually "outed" by a parishioner who recognized his voice at Mass. This only served , however, to bolster his popularity and donations.
     Fray Tormenta became one of Mexico's most beloved heroes and luchadores. He took on the personna of a "good guy"(technico). In America the term used is "baby face" or simply"face"and was often handed donations by the lucha libre patrons after vanquishing the "bad guys"(rudos), or "heels" in the American jargon. After 23 years of wrestling, matches tapered off due to a diabetic condition. His final match to date was fought on July 3, 2011. One of the orphans was trained in luch libre and carries on the name and tradition as Fray Tormenta Jr.
    To this author's knowledge, there were no royalties from the movie but Father Sergio is in demand for personal appearances on behalf of St. Michael's. Though he may no longer wear the mask of Fray Tormenta, he continues to walk in the shoes of Jacob.

REFERENCE: Reilly, Rick. "A Ring and a Prayer". Sports Illustrated Vol. 67 No. 27 Dec. 21, 1987