![‘He did his best for Jesus’ #Catholic - Venerable Father Aloysius Schwartz, the Sisters of Mary, and an invitation
“In 1989, he (Father Aloysius Schwartz) was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — a fatal, degenerative condition. This cross marked his final years with patience and humility. In 1984, he had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, but as he was wasting away, he told his sister he would be happy if his gravestone read, “Here lies Father Al. He tried his best for Jesus.” He died at the Girlstown in Manila on March 16, 1992, and was declared venerable by Pope Francis on Jan. 22, 2015.”
Ven. Aloysius Schwartz: Modern Missionary to Korea
BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY
In late October of 2023, I wrote a column entitled: “Priest and Beggar: Have you ever heard of Fr. Aloysius Schwartz?.” I concluded that column with the quote (above) from an article about “Father Al”, written by Megan O’Neill and published in the National Catholic Reporter in December 2020. I wrote about Father Al and the Sisters of Mary again, in August of 2024, as I was preparing to visit an orphanage and school, “Villa de las Ninas” (Girlstown), run by the Sisters of Mary in Chalco, Mexico. Chalco is just outside Mexico City, so a visit to Chalco also provides an opportunity to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the most popular (and beautiful) pilgrimage sites in the world, marking the place where our Blessed Mother, identifying herself as “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” appeared to St. Juan Diego in December of 1531.
As I was preparing to visit Chalco, I encouraged readers to read an article about Father Al and the Sisters of Mary, written by Kevin Wells, author of the powerful biography, “Priest and Beggar: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz.” I was very blessed to join Kevin and a group of pilgrims to visit Girlstown in Chalco and the Basilica of Guadalupe in August of 2024. It was so inspiring to see the ways in which the Gospel is lived out, day by day, in community, as 40 Sisters, along with staff and teachers, care for 3,000 young girls ages 12 to 18.
It was also amazing and inspiring for me to see the similarities between the life and ministry of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her Missionaries of Charity and the life and ministry of Father Al, which continues to be present in the loving, healing, and prayerful ministry of the Sisters of Mary. To learn and see more about the lives and ministry of the Sisters of Mary, I once again recommend Kevin Wells’ article, “Eight Apparitions, One Priest, and the Endless Miracle of the Sisters of Mary,” published in The Catholic World Report on August 9, 2024. You can also learn a great deal more about Father Al, the Sisters, and their work by going to the website of “World Villages for Children” where you can learn that:
“World Villages for Children supports the Sisters of Mary Boystowns and Girlstowns in the Philippines, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Honduras, and Tanzania. At these live-in schools, the Sisters educate and care for more than 20,000 children living in extreme poverty. This support is provided at no cost to their families.”
In addition, and, I believe, much more importantly than learning information and data, at the “World Villages” website, you can see the smiling faces of the Sisters and the children they care for, educate, and help to heal.
Kevin Wells was recently a guest on our “Beyond the Beacon” podcast and he speaks eloquently of the ways in which the young girls, many of whom have suffered greatly from physical abuse, trauma, poverty and/or neglect, are “brought back to life” by the care and love they receive from the Sisters. One of the reasons that Kevin was on the podcast was to offer an invitation to listeners and viewers, the same invitation that I would like to extend to you, dear reader.
Kevin and I, along with Kevin’s younger brother, Father David Wells, will be making a “return trip” to Girlstown in Chalco and to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe this coming Sept. 18-21, 2026. Those who join us for this pilgrimage will be able to see what I and all those who visit Girlstown in Chalco are able to see: the Sisters of Mary continuing the life-saving ministry of Venerable Father Aloysius Schwartz. Spending one day at Girlstown, Chalco, is a spiritual experience that can stand alone. However, the experience of being able to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Girlstown on back-to-back days has the potential to be a life-changing experience. It will surely be an experience of the Joy and Peace of the Gospel. For more information and to register for the Pilgrimage, you can go to A Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
As I return again to the story and witness of Father Al, the Sisters of Mary, their vocations and ministry, in closing, I would ask that you take a moment to pray for the Beatification and Canonization of Father Al:
PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF VENERABLE ALOYSIUS SCHWARTZ
Almighty, ever living God, giver of all good gifts, You have filled Venerable Al with an ardent love for you and for souls. You have inspired him to dedicate his life to relieve the sufferings of the orphans, the abandoned, the sick and the poor especially the youth, which he did with all humility and courage until the end of his life. May his holy life of love and service to the poor be recognized by the Church through his beatification and canonization.
For Your honor and glory, we pray that the life of Venerable Al will be an inspiration for us in striving for perfection in the love of God and service to others.
Bestow on us, through his intercession.. (mention the favors or intentions here). We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son and the maternal aid of Mary, the Virgin of the Poor. Amen.
[Please, Pray and Share this Beautiful Prayer]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/he-did-his-best-for-jesus-catholic-venerable-father-aloysius-schwartz-the-sisters-of-mary-and-an-invitationin-1989-he-father-aloysius-schwartz-was-diagnosed-with-am.jpg)
Venerable Father Aloysius Schwartz, the Sisters of Mary, and an invitation
“In 1989, he (Father Aloysius Schwartz) was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — a fatal, degenerative condition. This cross marked his final years with patience and humility. In 1984, he had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, but as he was wasting away, he told his sister he would be happy if his gravestone read, “Here lies Father Al. He tried his best for Jesus.” He died at the Girlstown in Manila on March 16, 1992, and was declared venerable by Pope Francis on Jan. 22, 2015.”
Ven. Aloysius Schwartz: Modern Missionary to Korea
In late October of 2023, I wrote a column entitled: “Priest and Beggar: Have you ever heard of Fr. Aloysius Schwartz?.” I concluded that column with the quote (above) from an article about “Father Al”, written by Megan O’Neill and published in the National Catholic Reporter in December 2020. I wrote about Father Al and the Sisters of Mary again, in August of 2024, as I was preparing to visit an orphanage and school, “Villa de las Ninas” (Girlstown), run by the Sisters of Mary in Chalco, Mexico. Chalco is just outside Mexico City, so a visit to Chalco also provides an opportunity to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the most popular (and beautiful) pilgrimage sites in the world, marking the place where our Blessed Mother, identifying herself as “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” appeared to St. Juan Diego in December of 1531.
As I was preparing to visit Chalco, I encouraged readers to read an article about Father Al and the Sisters of Mary, written by Kevin Wells, author of the powerful biography, “Priest and Beggar: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz.” I was very blessed to join Kevin and a group of pilgrims to visit Girlstown in Chalco and the Basilica of Guadalupe in August of 2024. It was so inspiring to see the ways in which the Gospel is lived out, day by day, in community, as 40 Sisters, along with staff and teachers, care for 3,000 young girls ages 12 to 18.
It was also amazing and inspiring for me to see the similarities between the life and ministry of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her Missionaries of Charity and the life and ministry of Father Al, which continues to be present in the loving, healing, and prayerful ministry of the Sisters of Mary. To learn and see more about the lives and ministry of the Sisters of Mary, I once again recommend Kevin Wells’ article, “Eight Apparitions, One Priest, and the Endless Miracle of the Sisters of Mary,” published in The Catholic World Report on August 9, 2024. You can also learn a great deal more about Father Al, the Sisters, and their work by going to the website of “World Villages for Children” where you can learn that:
“World Villages for Children supports the Sisters of Mary Boystowns and Girlstowns in the Philippines, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Honduras, and Tanzania. At these live-in schools, the Sisters educate and care for more than 20,000 children living in extreme poverty. This support is provided at no cost to their families.”
In addition, and, I believe, much more importantly than learning information and data, at the “World Villages” website, you can see the smiling faces of the Sisters and the children they care for, educate, and help to heal.
Kevin Wells was recently a guest on our “Beyond the Beacon” podcast and he speaks eloquently of the ways in which the young girls, many of whom have suffered greatly from physical abuse, trauma, poverty and/or neglect, are “brought back to life” by the care and love they receive from the Sisters. One of the reasons that Kevin was on the podcast was to offer an invitation to listeners and viewers, the same invitation that I would like to extend to you, dear reader.
Kevin and I, along with Kevin’s younger brother, Father David Wells, will be making a “return trip” to Girlstown in Chalco and to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe this coming Sept. 18-21, 2026. Those who join us for this pilgrimage will be able to see what I and all those who visit Girlstown in Chalco are able to see: the Sisters of Mary continuing the life-saving ministry of Venerable Father Aloysius Schwartz. Spending one day at Girlstown, Chalco, is a spiritual experience that can stand alone. However, the experience of being able to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Girlstown on back-to-back days has the potential to be a life-changing experience. It will surely be an experience of the Joy and Peace of the Gospel. For more information and to register for the Pilgrimage, you can go to A Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
As I return again to the story and witness of Father Al, the Sisters of Mary, their vocations and ministry, in closing, I would ask that you take a moment to pray for the Beatification and Canonization of Father Al:
PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF VENERABLE ALOYSIUS SCHWARTZ
Almighty, ever living God, giver of all good gifts, You have filled Venerable Al with an ardent love for you and for souls. You have inspired him to dedicate his life to relieve the sufferings of the orphans, the abandoned, the sick and the poor especially the youth, which he did with all humility and courage until the end of his life. May his holy life of love and service to the poor be recognized by the Church through his beatification and canonization.
For Your honor and glory, we pray that the life of Venerable Al will be an inspiration for us in striving for perfection in the love of God and service to others.
Bestow on us, through his intercession.. (mention the favors or intentions here). We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son and the maternal aid of Mary, the Virgin of the Poor. Amen.
[Please, Pray and Share this Beautiful Prayer]
‘He did his best for Jesus’ #Catholic –
Venerable Father Aloysius Schwartz, the Sisters of Mary, and an invitation
“In 1989, he (Father Aloysius Schwartz) was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease — a fatal, degenerative condition. This cross marked his final years with patience and humility. In 1984, he had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, but as he was wasting away, he told his sister he would be happy if his gravestone read, “Here lies Father Al. He tried his best for Jesus.” He died at the Girlstown in Manila on March 16, 1992, and was declared venerable by Pope Francis on Jan. 22, 2015.”
Ven. Aloysius Schwartz: Modern Missionary to Korea
In late October of 2023, I wrote a column entitled: “Priest and Beggar: Have you ever heard of Fr. Aloysius Schwartz?.” I concluded that column with the quote (above) from an article about “Father Al”, written by Megan O’Neill and published in the National Catholic Reporter in December 2020. I wrote about Father Al and the Sisters of Mary again, in August of 2024, as I was preparing to visit an orphanage and school, “Villa de las Ninas” (Girlstown), run by the Sisters of Mary in Chalco, Mexico. Chalco is just outside Mexico City, so a visit to Chalco also provides an opportunity to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the most popular (and beautiful) pilgrimage sites in the world, marking the place where our Blessed Mother, identifying herself as “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” appeared to St. Juan Diego in December of 1531.
As I was preparing to visit Chalco, I encouraged readers to read an article about Father Al and the Sisters of Mary, written by Kevin Wells, author of the powerful biography, “Priest and Beggar: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz.” I was very blessed to join Kevin and a group of pilgrims to visit Girlstown in Chalco and the Basilica of Guadalupe in August of 2024. It was so inspiring to see the ways in which the Gospel is lived out, day by day, in community, as 40 Sisters, along with staff and teachers, care for 3,000 young girls ages 12 to 18.
It was also amazing and inspiring for me to see the similarities between the life and ministry of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her Missionaries of Charity and the life and ministry of Father Al, which continues to be present in the loving, healing, and prayerful ministry of the Sisters of Mary. To learn and see more about the lives and ministry of the Sisters of Mary, I once again recommend Kevin Wells’ article, “Eight Apparitions, One Priest, and the Endless Miracle of the Sisters of Mary,” published in The Catholic World Report on August 9, 2024. You can also learn a great deal more about Father Al, the Sisters, and their work by going to the website of “World Villages for Children” where you can learn that:
“World Villages for Children supports the Sisters of Mary Boystowns and Girlstowns in the Philippines, Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Honduras, and Tanzania. At these live-in schools, the Sisters educate and care for more than 20,000 children living in extreme poverty. This support is provided at no cost to their families.”
In addition, and, I believe, much more importantly than learning information and data, at the “World Villages” website, you can see the smiling faces of the Sisters and the children they care for, educate, and help to heal.
Kevin Wells was recently a guest on our “Beyond the Beacon” podcast and he speaks eloquently of the ways in which the young girls, many of whom have suffered greatly from physical abuse, trauma, poverty and/or neglect, are “brought back to life” by the care and love they receive from the Sisters. One of the reasons that Kevin was on the podcast was to offer an invitation to listeners and viewers, the same invitation that I would like to extend to you, dear reader.
Kevin and I, along with Kevin’s younger brother, Father David Wells, will be making a “return trip” to Girlstown in Chalco and to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe this coming Sept. 18-21, 2026. Those who join us for this pilgrimage will be able to see what I and all those who visit Girlstown in Chalco are able to see: the Sisters of Mary continuing the life-saving ministry of Venerable Father Aloysius Schwartz. Spending one day at Girlstown, Chalco, is a spiritual experience that can stand alone. However, the experience of being able to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Girlstown on back-to-back days has the potential to be a life-changing experience. It will surely be an experience of the Joy and Peace of the Gospel. For more information and to register for the Pilgrimage, you can go to A Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
As I return again to the story and witness of Father Al, the Sisters of Mary, their vocations and ministry, in closing, I would ask that you take a moment to pray for the Beatification and Canonization of Father Al:
PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF VENERABLE ALOYSIUS SCHWARTZ
Almighty, ever living God, giver of all good gifts, You have filled Venerable Al with an ardent love for you and for souls. You have inspired him to dedicate his life to relieve the sufferings of the orphans, the abandoned, the sick and the poor especially the youth, which he did with all humility and courage until the end of his life. May his holy life of love and service to the poor be recognized by the Church through his beatification and canonization.
For Your honor and glory, we pray that the life of Venerable Al will be an inspiration for us in striving for perfection in the love of God and service to others.
Bestow on us, through his intercession.. (mention the favors or intentions here). We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son and the maternal aid of Mary, the Virgin of the Poor. Amen.
[Please, Pray and Share this Beautiful Prayer]