MANILA, Philippines - Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales hosted a dinner at the Archbishop’s residence in Manila to formally announce the Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar Foundation.
The board of trustees include Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, chairman of the board; Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, president; and Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, vice president. The members of the board are Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Bishop Emilio Marquez, Msgr. Wilfredo Andrey, Fr. Ernesto Mandanas, DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, culture advocate Danilo L. Dolor, treasurer; and trustee Mother Teodora G. Juan, mother general of the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese (MCST), a religious institution founded by Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar; and Mother Rene S.J. Rarela, former mother general of the Missionary Cathechists of St. Therese (MCST), now based in Vatican; and lawyer Emmanuel O. Sales, legal counsel.
The Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar Foundation aims to promote and process the cause for the beatification and canonization of the servant of God, Alfredo Ma. Obviar, working for this purpose as the actor causae or the promoter group that will gather, verify, prepare and present the testimonies and documents for the diocesan and canonical investigations and upon the canonization of Alfredo Ma. Obviar, to cultivate knowledge and devotion to this servant of God; and to perform such functions or ancillary activities that may carry out or aid in the accomplishment of its mission.
Bishop Obviar lived to a ripe old age while humbly following God’s will. He showed his remarkable faith and devotion to God in his ministry, first as a priest in Malvar and Lipa, Batangas, as first auxiliary bishop of Lipa, and as first bishop of the Diocese of Lucena, Quezon.
Bishop Obviar worked in the vineyard of the Lord, like His Master, unselfish committed, faithful and most of all, embracing the Father’s will at all times, no matter how tough at times. After his ordination on March 15, 1919, he began his pastoral ministry that same year in Luta, (now Malvar), Batangas and as pastor of the San Sebastian Cathedral Parish in Lipa City from 1927-1944.
Bishop Obviar quickly responded to his flock with self-sacrificing dedication and concern. More specifically, he sought out the many who had not heard about Christ. He also established catechetical centers in the poblacion and barrios. He was also Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Lipa.
On June 29, 1944, Fr. Obviar, after 25 years as priest, became the first Auxiliary Bishop of Lipa. These fulfilling years led as well to other challenges. On January 22, 1951, he was installed Apostolic Administrator of the new Diocese of Lucena in Quezon. Here he founded the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese (MCST) on August 12, 1958. This congregation is now found all over the Philippines and in some countries abroad such as the United States, Papua New Guinea, Italy, Switzerland, among others.
Bishop Obviar spent 18 years as administrator and became the first residential bishop of the Diocese of Lucena on July 15, 1969. As was characteristic of him, he spent a lot of times down on his knees listening and discerning God’s will.
On the feast of his patron saint, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, on Oct. 1, 1978, he went to the bosom of His Father.