From Prodigal to Priest

Winner of a second-place award in the memoir category from the Catholic Media Association.

For ten years, Goyo Hidalgo’s life was marked by excess, pain, and fear. His gritty story of redemption began unexpectedly after a hard night of partying in Los Angeles—when he woke to the televised funeral Mass of Pope John Paul II. The late pope’s message of “Be not afraid” stirred a deep longing that led Hidalgo back to the Catholic faith of his youth—and ultimately to the priesthood.

From Prodigal to Priest follows Hidalgo’s journey of reconciliation with his faith and family. He offers hope and encouragement to those who feel unforgivable, reminding them that Jesus always waits to welcome them home. His story is a moving testament to the power of God’s mercy and the transformation brought by grace.

Raised in a devout Catholic family in a small Spanish town, Hidalgo entered a minor seminary to study for the priesthood but left after several years. While attending college, he drifted from the faith and pursued a dream of travel and success. Yet the Lord called him home.

Guided by the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32), Hidalgo recounts his reawakening—confessing to his mother, relearning prayer, returning to Confession, sharing his reversion with friends, and discerning a call to the priesthood. Readers will be inspired to pray, discern, trust, and thank God, no matter the outcome.

Each chapter includes prayers for both prodigal sons and daughters and those who accompany them on their journey home.

About the Author

Fr. Goyo Hidalgo is a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, a singer-songwriter, and a social media evangelist.

A native of La Villa de Don Fadrique near Toledo, Spain, he attended minor seminary as a youth but left after six years. He earned master’s degrees in English and Spanish linguistics from Complutense University of Madrid in 1996, then traveled internationally to teach both languages before settling in Los Angeles as a middle and high school teacher. He also released two albums of Catholic music in Spanish and English.

After a profound reversion to the faith sparked by watching the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, Hidalgo entered St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California, where he earned a master of divinity. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2016.