Farewell, Father Al

On March 16, 1992, Father Al breathed his last at the Girlstown in Manila and his remains are buried at the Complex in Silang, Cavite, Philippines.

On Dec. 10, 2003 the Archdiocese of Manila formally opened the Archdiocesan Process for the Causes of Msgr. Schwartz’ Beatification and Canonization at the Manila Cathedral. Subsequently, the interrogation of witnesses to the heroic virtues of the Servant of God followed. On May 29, 2004 the closing ceremony of the Archdiocesan Process was held at the Complex in Silang, Cavite.

A year after, on May 20, 2005, the Congregation of Saints issued the approval of the Archdiocesan Process for the Causes of Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God. The “Positio” paper proving the heroic virtues and fame of sanctity of the Servant of God was submitted on October 6, 2012 to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and approved by the Commission of the Theologians on March 6, 2014, and by the College of Cardinals on December 16, 2014.

On January 22, 2015, Pope Francis, in a private audience with Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B., authorized the Congregation of Saints to promulgate the decree on the heroic virtue of Aloysius Schwartz, thus giving him the title of “Venerable”.

An authentic miracle through his intercession is necessary for his beatification; another miracle will bring him to the altar to join God’s mighty heroes and saints.