Father Juan Antonio Romo, SVD was born in Jalisco, Mexico. Before coming to the United States to study for the priesthood, he did 2 years of Law school in the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, in his native country.

He came to this country in January of 1995. He received a BA Degree at Divine Word College, in Epworth, IA. He did a 2-year internship in Portugal, where he learned Portuguese and studied the culture and economical-political history of the country. He did his theological-biblical studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, IL, where he got a Masters in Divinity. Father Juan Antonio was ordained a Catholic priest in his hometown, Jalostotitlan, Jalisco, Mexico on July 2, 2005. After his ordination he worked as a recruiter for his religious community for 6 years, spending one year in Southern California, one and a half year in Orlando, FL, and 3 and a half years in Washington, DC.

In July 2011 he came to Memphis, TN to be an associate pastor at Sacred Heart Church and at St Joseph Church, serving the Hispanic Community. In June 2012, he was appointed pastor of St Joseph Church and continues to serve in that capacity until now.

For many years, he has served at St. Jude’s Children Hospital caring pro-bono for the children and their families.
Father Juan Antonio was recently appointed Dean of the Western Deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, where he helps the bishop in assisting the priests that minister in the 13 parishes of this area.