The Inspiring Journey of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz: A Heroic Life Devoted to Serving Others

Venerable Aloysius Schwartz, born on September 18, 1930, in Washington, D.C., was a man of remarkable dedication and selflessness. He dedicated his entire life to serving the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly in developing countries. His story is one of immense inspiration and embodies the true meaning of heroism.

Early Life and Education

Aloysius Schwartz was raised in a devout Catholic family, where faith played a central role. His parents instilled in him strong values and a deep sense of responsibility towards others. His passion for helping those in need was apparent from a young age.

After completing high school, Aloysius joined the U.S. Army and served as a military police officer during the Korean War. This experience further shaped his character and desire to make a positive impact on the world.

Priest and Beggar: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz

by Kevin Wells (Kindle Edition)

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	439 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	163 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Driven by a strong calling, Aloysius decided to pursue the priesthood. He entered the seminary and was ordained in 1957. His commitment to serving the poor led him to obtain a degree in Social Work, which would become instrumental in his future endeavors.

The Creation of the Sisters of Mary

In the late 1960s, Aloysius Schwartz was assigned to the Philippines as a missionary priest. Witnessing the extreme poverty and dire conditions faced by the Filipino people, especially the young, he was compelled to take action.

In 1964, he founded the Sisters of Mary, a religious congregation dedicated to providing education, shelter, and healthcare to impoverished children. His vision was to empower these children to break the cycle of poverty and become leaders in their communities.

Schwartz's approach was revolutionary. He established innovative vocational schools where students could receive both academic and technical training. This comprehensive education equipped them with the necessary skills to secure stable employment and support themselves and their families.

Despite facing numerous challenges and encountering skepticism, Schwartz's unwavering commitment and relentless pursuit of his mission allowed the Sisters of Mary to grow and expand their reach. Today, the organization operates schools and homes for disadvantaged children across several countries in Asia and Latin America.

A Life of Sacrifice and Humility

Venerable Aloysius Schwartz lived a life of incredible sacrifice and humility. He dedicated every ounce of his being to serving others selflessly. He believed that true happiness could only be attained through the service of God and the marginalized.

His lifestyle reflected his values. He embraced simplicity and lived among those he served, sharing their hardships and struggles. Schwartz often put his own health and well-being at risk to ensure a better future for the children under his care.

His compassionate nature earned him the love and respect of countless individuals who witnessed the transformative impact of his work. The lives of those who encountered him were forever changed, and his legacy continues to inspire acts of kindness and charity today.

Recognition and Legacy

Venerable Aloysius Schwartz's unwavering devotion and remarkable achievements have not gone unnoticed. In 2015, the Vatican officially recognized his heroic virtues and declared him Venerable, an important milestone on the path to sainthood.

His legacy lives on through the Sisters of Mary, who continue to carry out his invaluable work. Tens of thousands of children have benefited from the education and care provided by the organization, breaking free from poverty and creating a better future for themselves and their communities.

Venerable Aloysius Schwartz's life serves as a shining example of what one individual can accomplish with unwavering determination and a heart full of compassion. His story teaches us the power of selflessness and the transformative impact of service to others. Let us honor his memory by following in his footsteps and making a difference in the lives of those in need.

Priest and Beggar: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz

by Kevin Wells (Kindle Edition)

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	439 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	163 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

In 1957, at twenty-seven years old, Father Aloysius Schwartz of Washington, D.C., asked to be sent to one of the saddest places in the world: South Korea in the wake of the Korean War. Just a few months into his priesthood, he stepped off the train in Seoul into a dystopian film. Squatters with blank stares picked through hills of garbage. Paper-fleshed orphans lay on the streets like leftover war shrapnel. The scenes pierced him.

Within just fifteen years, Father Schwartz had changed the course of Korean history, founding and reforming orphanages, hospitals, hospices, clinics, schools, and the Sisters of Mary, a Korean religious order dedicated to the sickest of the sick and the poorest of the poor. All the while, he himself—like the Sisters—lived the same hard poverty as the people he served and loved.

Biographer Kevin Wells tells the story of a different kind of American hero, an ordinary priest who stared down corruption, slander, persecution, and death for the sake of God's poor. "What Father Al managed to do is beyond the pale", said his longtime collaborator Monsignor James Golasinski. "He was the boldest man I ever knew. He feared nothing."

Known for his joy and his humor, even in the teeth of Lou Gehrig’s disease, Schwartz was declared a Servant of God by Pope Francis in 2015. By the time of his death in 1992, his work with the Sisters of Mary had spread to the Philippines and Mexico; and since then, the Sisters have founded Boystowns and Girlstowns across Central and South America, as well as in Tanzania. Father Schwartz died calling out to his beloved Mary, the Virgin of the Poor, saying, "All praise, honor, and glory for anything good accomplished in my life goes to her and to her alone."

Includes 16 pages of photos.