Alfredo Versoza

Servant of God
Alfredo Verzosa y Florentin
Bishop Emeritus of Lipa
Church Roman Catholic Church
Archdiocese Lipa
See Lipa
Appointed 06 September 1916
Term ended 25 February 1951
Predecessor Giuseppe Petrelli
Successor Alejandro Olalia
Other posts
Orders
Ordination 24 December 1904
by Dennis Joseph Dougherty
Consecration 20 January 1917
by Giuseppe Petrelli
Rank Bishop
Personal details
Birth name Alfredo Verzosa y Florentin
Born (1877-12-09)9 December 1877
Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Captaincy General of the Philippines
Died 27 June 1954(1954-06-27) (aged 76)
Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Buried Cathedral of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle,
Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Nationality Filipino
Parents Alejandro Verzosa (father)
Micaela Florentin (mother)
Motto "Disposes all things gently"
Sainthood
Feast day 27 June
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Title as Saint Servant of God

Alfedo Verzosa y Florentin (9 December 1877 - 27 June 1954) was a Filipino Catholic Bishop and Servant of God venerated in the Catholic Church. He is the fourth Filipino Bishop to be elevated as Bishop and the first from Northern Luzon – the first Ilocano. Together with Laura Mendoza, a widow and catechist, they founded the Congregation of the Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Heart (MCSH), a congregation focusing on the missions of education and administration within the church, especially of catholic catechesis. His cause for beatification is currently underway.[1][2][3][4]

Early life and family background

His family was financial patron in the Cathedral parish. In the ‘Cuadro de Honor’ found at the cathedral entrance, the names of Don Alejandro and those of Socorro were listed as donors. An old priest disclosed that the Versozas belonged to a pious family who would be seen almost the whole day in prayer, at church.

Missionary career

Versoza as a priest of Neuva Segovia dealt with a schism in his constituent area. Many priests in his diocese switched affiliation to the Aglipayan Church. As a young priest, he visited towns to propagate the Catholic faith. An account mentions of a pastor from another sect who warned him not to go on a barrio mission. Versoza proceeded despite of the warning and went towards the barrio on horseback. A spear was hurled towards Versoza which killed his horse but he survived. In the year 1909, the bishop sent Fr. Verzosa for a mission in the Province of Ilocos Norte – bulwark of the Aglipayans.

On September 6, 1916, Pope Benedict XV named Fr. Alfredo Verzosa as second Bishop of Lipa, he was 39 years old. Bishop elect Verzosa was then consecrated bishop on January 20, 1917. He is the fourth Filipino Bishop to the elevated as Bishop and the first from Northern Luzon – The first Ilocano.

Dismissal as Bishop

After some months, he received a letter from Rome asking him to retire as Ordinary of Lipa. Bishop Obviar was also asked to leave his office. The administration of the diocese was then transferred to the young Bishop Rufino Santos as Apostolic Administrator. In 1951, six bishops compromising a commission declared that the Lipa Miracle was a hoax. He returned to Vigan and lived in poverty. Rome gave him the Titular Bishop of Capsa. Without having anyone to turn to, he suffered a traumatic, nervous breakdown. Fr. Gregorio Salvatus, who was sent to take care of the ailing bishop, said that “without his prayers, his life would be despairing.” One of the most memorable lines of Bishop Verzosa was, “I’m still far from being gold!” For he remind the people a portion in the Holy Scriptures that in order for a metal to become real metal and gold become pure gold, it must be tried by fire (cf. Mal. 3:3). The mission of Bishop Verzosa was a heavy task – filled with sacrifices and obstacles. He gave all he had for others and took “part in suffering, as a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 2:3)

Though he may have been thought a poor administrator, he excelled in the primary duty of his office, which was to bring more souls to the faith. He focused on establishing catechetical centers and sending catechists throughout the far-flung corners of his diocese. Nevertheless, records show that prior to his relief, he was engaged with the reconstruction of the churches that had been levelled by the war, and that the first instalment of the damage claim was used to settle the debts and finance the needs of various religious orders. Bishop Verzosa was replaced by Monsignor Rufino Santos, and was under his authority that an official church commission was formed to investigate the apparitions of Lipa.

Death

On the night of June 27, 1954, Sunday, Bishop Verzosa asked for the final Sacrament. After Fr. Salvatus gave him Extreme Unction and Apostolic Blessing, the bishop merited a peaceful and tranquil death at the age of 76. The late Fr. Senen Encarnacion, who was the Bishop’s confidante, mentioned that he had died happily with a conviction that he served God, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Church with all his heart and might. The bishop’s remains were interred in a mausoleum intended for bishops of Neuva Segovia at the Cathedral of Vigan.

Beatification

On 2013 , led by the Most Rev. Ramon Arguelles, DD, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lipa opened his official cause for beatification. On the Archbishops’ message, he said, “Someday this great man will be honoured by God to be in the altars thereby affirming that the Philippines has indeed become the land of saints.”[5][6][7]

References

  1. ↑ "Bishop Alfredo Verzosa y Florentin". catholicsaints.info. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  2. ↑ "Vigan begins cause for Verzosa's beatification". cbcpnews.com. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  3. ↑ "Servant of God, Bishop Alfredo F. Verzosa". youtube.com. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  4. ↑ "1954". faithweb.com. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  5. ↑ "Ilocano bishop might be next Filipino saint". rappler.com. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  6. ↑ "Canonization process for another possible Pinoy saint to begin in January". gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  7. ↑ "Beatification process opens for 1st Ilocano bishop". manilastandard.net. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.