The Chancellor’s Office has learned that Reverend Demetrio Lorden, 78, passed away peacefully while in a nursing facility near Madrid, Spain, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. Eastern). Father Lorden has been receiving assistance from various health care facilities and family members since suffering a serious injury while riding a bicycle in May 2013 and was later transferred to his home country of Spain, to be closer to his family. Prior to the injury, Father Lorden served as Administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, Wimauma, for almost 14 years.

Born in 1946 in Corporales, Leon, Spain, Father Lorden was ordained for the Diocese of Astorga, on June 12, 1970, sharing nearly 55 years of his life as a priest. During the early years of his priesthood, he served for six years as a pastor and later as a teacher and counselor at two diocesan high schools. He also spent two years as an instructor in a minor seminary.

In 1981, Father Lorden came to the Diocese of St. Petersburg, where he provided ministry as Parochial Vicar of St. Rita Parish, Dade City (1981-1991). In May 1990, he became an incardinated priest of this Diocese. From 1991 to 1998, he served as Parochial Vicar of Corpus Christi Parish, Temple Terrace, after which he was named Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Tampa (1998-1999). On August 18, 1999, Father Lorden was appointed as Administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, Wimauma, faithfully serving the community until his tragic injury. He was relieved from his assignment and granted retirement status on December 1, 2013.

Long-time members of the Our Lady of Guadalupe community will remember Father Lorden for the many times he offered Masses and other services in the local migrant camps. He was sometimes seen visiting children and their parents while wearing a clown suit, which endeared him to many who met him.

Among his achievements, Father Lorden was honored by his brother priests with the Father Luis de Cancer Distinguished Priestly Service Award in 2009.

Surviving family members include Father Lorden’s brother, Adeodato Lorden, sisters, Maria Lorden, and Lucia Lorden Rodriguez, and nephews, Guillermo, Daniel, Eduardo, and Pablo, along with other extended family members and loved ones.

A Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Iglesia Parroquial de Las Ventas de Albares, in Spain, with burial immediately following the Mass.

Locally, a Memorial Mass for Father Lorden will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025, 7:00 p.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, 16650 U.S. 301 S., Wimauma. Priests wishing to concelebrate are asked to bring an alb and white stole.

Expressions of sympathy may be addressed to the family of Rev. Demetrio Lorden, c/o Diocese of St. Petersburg, Office of the Chancellor, P.O. Box 40200, St. Petersburg, FL 33743-0200.

Please keep Father Lorden’s siblings, nephews, and all family members and loved ones in your kind thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Obituary (pdf) at this link.

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May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed
by the mercy of God, rest in peace!