The Virgin of the Poor in the life of Fr. Al

 

"...The real Director and Chairman of the Board of the Sisters of Mary is Mary, Our Lady of Banneux, the Virgin of the Poor. As a Sister of Mary, if you do not believe this basic fact, you do not truly believe in the Sisters of Mary. As for myself, I am utterly convinced of its reality.

 By an absolutely unusual set of circumstances, I was ordained a deacon for the diocese of Liege, Belgium in which is located the village of Banneux. Not only that but I was ordained by Bishop Louie Joseph Kerkhofs who was the same bishop presiding at the time of the apparitions. My priesthood belongs to the Virgin of the Poor. My apostolate has been dedicated to her and from the very beginning, the Sisters of Mary and I have been in her capable, maternal hands.

If this were not so, the sisters would never have come into existence. If this were not so, after the Sisters of Mary were founded, they would never have survived the many trials and tribulations that assailed them. What is more, if Mary were not with us in  very real, active way, the sisters would not have grown, prospered and flourished in the remarkable way which they have done..."

- From the book, Killing Me Softly (The Summing Up) by Msgr. Aloysius Schwartz

 "...I would like to build a replica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Banneux here on the Silang property. I would like to be buried in the Shrine under the altar at the feet of our Lady. Mary of Banneux chose me at an early age just as she erupted in the night in the life of Marietta Beco. She suddenly appeared in my life without any preparation. She brought me to Belgium where I discovered her. I never heard of Banneux before then. So my priesthood in a special way belongs to Our Lady of Banneux. My apostolate is hers and I would like to be buried at her feet and say, that, all praise, honor and glory for any thing good accomplished in my life goes to her and to her alone..."

- From the book, Killing Me Softly (Medical Update) by Msgr. Aloysius Schwartz

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On March 16, 1992, Father Al Schwartz died in Manila, Philippines

and was buried at Silang, Cavite, Philippines.

Photo Credit: SMS Files