Servant of God Msgr. Aloysius Schwartz: Strength from the Holy Eucharist

"Our strength to love and to serve others comes from the Holy Eucharist, the Bread of Life "

~ Servant of God Msgr. Aloysius Schwartz ~

In 1989, he was diagnosed to have a terminal illness. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He accepted with it with joy, serenity and courage, and regarded it as a gift from God. In spite of his deteriorating health, he established Boystown and Girlstown in Mexico, which he called his "unfinished symphony".

With humility, courage, and unwavering faith, he suffered and accepted a lot of humiliations, criticisms, pains, incredible trials, and difficulties. He did his best to relieve the suffering of the poor. His illness made him immobile, still even on a wheelchair, he continued to fulfill his duties with joy. He spent hours before the Blessed Sacrament, praying the rosary, hearing confessions, and preaching in words and examples the virtues of truth, justice, chastity, charity and humility, penance and fortitude. His love for God and the poor consumed him. He did not only help the poor but also he lived poorly. (Source)

Father Al died at 7:00 pm, Monday, March 16, 1992, in his room on the 7th Floor of the Manila Girlstown building. His body remained in a temporary tomb from March 25, 1992, until June 21, 1992, and then he was buried under the altar of the Chapel of the Virgin of the Poor built in Silang Boystown complex.

Upon his instruction, the words written on the plaque placed on the tomb read as follows:

"Here lies Father Al Schwartz. All praise honor

and glory and thanksgiving to the Virgin of the Poor."

The following prayer is being used around the world, asking Father Al to intercede with God for the petitions of those who need a miracle.

Almighty, ever-living God, giver of all good gifts, You have filled Father Al with an ardent love for You and for souls.

You have inspired him to dedicate his life to relieve the suffering of the orphans, abandoned, the sick and the poor, especially the youth, which he did with all humility and courage until the end of his life.

I ask you to bestow upon me, through the intercession of Father Al:

(Tell God, through Father Al, the favor that you request.)

I ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, and the maternal aid of Mary, the Virgin of the Poor. Amen.

~ For source of prayer and information, click here. ~

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests.  Amen.