Alfredo Maria Aranda Obviar

Infobox Saint
name= Sg Alfredo Obviar
birth_date=29 August 1889
death_date=01 October 1978
feast_day=01 October
venerated_in=Roman Catholic Church


imagesize=150px
birth_place=Lipa City, Batangas, Philippinesflagicon|Philippines
death_place=Tayabas, Quezon, Philippinesflagicon|Philippines
titles= bishop of Lucena; founder, Missionary Catechists of Saint Therese of the Infant Jesus
beatified_date=
beatified_place=
beatified_by=
canonized_date=
canonized_place=
canonized_by=
attributes=
patronage= Filipino Priest, of the Philippines, Quezonians.
major_shrine=Cathedral of Saint Ferdinand, Lucena City, Quezon, Philippines
suppressed_date=
issues=

Alfredo Maria Obviar (August 29, 1889 – October 1, 1978) is a Filipino Servant of God who is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church. His cause for beatification is currently underway; He was declared Servant of God on 06 March 2001 with saint protocol number: 2398 . He is the founder of Missionary Catechists of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. He was the Bishop of Lucena until his death.

Early life

Most Rev. Alfredo Maria Aranda Obviar was born on 29 August 1889 in Mataas na Lupa, Lipa City, Batangas to Telesforo Obviar and Florentina Catalina Aranda.

He received his early religious formation and education at the Jesuit College of St. Francis Xavier in Manila where he graduated in 1901. He earned his degree in Bachelor of Arts at Ateneo de Manila in 1914. He then proceeded to the University of Sto. Tomas Pontifical Seminary for Theological Studies.

The Rev. Obviar received the Sacerdotal Ordination on 15 March, 1919. His pastoral ministry began that same year at Luta, now Malvar, Batangas, and continued as Pastor of the Cathedral Parish in Lipa City (1927–1944). In both parishes, he established Catechetical Centers at the Poblacion and the barrios. He was also Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Lipa.

Religious life

After 25 years in the ministry, Fr. Obviar was ordained to the Episcopate on June 29, 1944 and served as the first Auxiliary Bishop of Lipa.

In January 22, 1951, Bishop Obviar was installed as Apostolic Administrator of the new Diocese of Lucena. Motivated by his great work for catechesis, he founded the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese (MCST) on August 12, 1958. After more than 18 years as Administrator, Bishop Obviar was declared First Residential Bishop of the Diocese of Lucena on July 15, 1969.

Death

Bishop Obviar died on October 1, 1978, on the Feast of his patron saint, St. Therese of the Child Jesus.

Veneration

Bishop Obviar has the Saint protocol number: 2398 He was declared nulla osta (Servant of God) in 06 March 2001.

References

* [http://newsaints.faithweb.com/year/1978.htm Hagiography Circle]
* [http://www.archlipa.org/kumintanghistory.htm Archdiocese of Lipa website]

External links

* [http://www.mcst.com.ph/founder.php MCST website]