Priest and Beggar: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz
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In 1957, at twenty-seven years old, Father Aloysius Schwartz of Washington, D.C., asked to be sent to one of the saddest places in the world: South Korea in the wake of the Korean War. Just a few months into his priesthood, he stepped off the train in Seoul into a dystopian film. Squatters with blank stares picked through hills of garbage. Paper-fleshed orphans lay on the streets like leftover war shrapnel. The scenes pierced him.
Within just fifteen years, Father Schwartz had changed the course of Korean history, founding and reforming orphanages, hospitals, hospices, clinics, schools, and the Sisters of Mary, a Korean religious order dedicated to the sickest of the sick and the poorest of the poor. All the while, he himself—like the Sisters—lived the same hard poverty as the people he served and loved.
Biographer Kevin Wells tells the story of a different kind of American hero, an ordinary priest who stared down corruption, slander, persecution, and death for the sake of God’s poor. “What Father Al managed to do is beyond the pale”, said his longtime collaborator Monsignor James Golasinski. “He was the boldest man I ever knew. He feared nothing.”
Known for his joy and his humor, even in the teeth of Lou Gehrig’s disease, Schwartz was declared a Servant of God by Pope Francis in 2015. By the time of his death in 1992, his work with the Sisters of Mary had spread to the Philippines and Mexico; and since then, the Sisters have founded Boystowns and Girlstowns across Central and South America, as well as in Tanzania. Father Schwartz died calling out to his beloved Mary, the Virgin of the Poor, saying, “All praise, honor, and glory for anything good accomplished in my life goes to her and to her alone.”
Includes 16 pages of photos.
Publisher : Ignatius Press (May 25, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 230 pages
ISBN-10 : 1621645061
ISBN-13 : 978-1621645061
Item Weight : 12.6 ounces
Dimensions : 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
In 1957, at twenty-seven years old, Father Aloysius Schwartz of Washington, D.C., asked to be sent to one of the saddest places in the world: South Korea in the wake of the Korean War. Just a few months into his priesthood, he stepped off the train in Seoul into a dystopian film. Squatters with blank stares picked through hills of garbage. Paper-fleshed orphans lay on the streets like leftover war shrapnel. The scenes pierced him.
Within just fifteen years, Father Schwartz had changed the course of Korean history, founding and reforming orphanages, hospitals, hospices, clinics, schools, and the Sisters of Mary, a Korean religious order dedicated to the sickest of the sick and the poorest of the poor. All the while, he himself—like the Sisters—lived the same hard poverty as the people he served and loved.
Biographer Kevin Wells tells the story of a different kind of American hero, an ordinary priest who stared down corruption, slander, persecution, and death for the sake of God’s poor. “What Father Al managed to do is beyond the pale”, said his longtime collaborator Monsignor James Golasinski. “He was the boldest man I ever knew. He feared nothing.”
Known for his joy and his humor, even in the teeth of Lou Gehrig’s disease, Schwartz was declared a Servant of God by Pope Francis in 2015. By the time of his death in 1992, his work with the Sisters of Mary had spread to the Philippines and Mexico; and since then, the Sisters have founded Boystowns and Girlstowns across Central and South America, as well as in Tanzania. Father Schwartz died calling out to his beloved Mary, the Virgin of the Poor, saying, “All praise, honor, and glory for anything good accomplished in my life goes to her and to her alone.”
Includes 16 pages of photos.
Publisher : Ignatius Press (May 25, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 230 pages
ISBN-10 : 1621645061
ISBN-13 : 978-1621645061
Item Weight : 12.6 ounces
Dimensions : 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
by Amazon Customer
Hero, Fr. Al was a real hero
Selfless was the man. Fr. Al and he was so selfless and reading this really helped me to reflect on so many things regarding my faith and me intentions. Pure faith is doing all for God.I read this book in less than a week because it was so captivating that I could not put it down.
by Happy Amazon Customer
Beautiful and inspiring
A very helpful book to help you get out from your comfort zone. It is highly inspiring. A life worth sharing for a difficult world.
by Morning Star
An Amazing Book!
This is an amazing account of a little-known priest who accomplished many miracles on behalf of needy children! I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to know more about real Catholic workers who are investing their lives in the vineyards of Christ.
by Greg Clary
Inspirational beyond expectations
This book is a must read for anyone with compassion for their fellow man. Fr. Al is the most inspirational person I have ever learned about. Greatest example of someone that lived the corporal works of mercy!
by Shopping Spice
Most inspiring read ever
This book is one in a million, just as Father Al Schwartz was. Before ALS took his life, Father Schwartz â an American â was able to do great things for the poor in post-WWII South Korea.He faced great obstacles, but was an overcomer. As he ministered to the poor, he lived with them in the same poverty, refusing better housing, food and clothing or anything that would separate him from their suffering.Itâs also a great tale of American generosity and how it funded his efforts in at least three countries. This is a heartening tale in disheartening times.
by Michael P DeRose
Great book and well told about the life of a future saint.
This was such a compelling book. I heard an interview on the radio on my way home from work one day with the author shortly after this book came out and realized I really wanted to read it. All that Fr. Schwartz went through in his journey to be just like Jesus. Wanting to be poor and live among the poor and minister to them, wow!. I know I could never do that. I’m sure he will be a saint someday.
by Emma Lou Hotho
a true hero
this is a marvelous well-written book. The priest is almost unbelievable. Another John Vianney. And Damien.I think every seminarian should have to read this book and discuss it in one of their classes.Fr. Aloysius Schwartz was truly a man who lived for others. He served the poorest of the poor and he lived with them. Read this book; it is terrific.
by Maureen F
Everyone should know his name
I don’t know why I had never heard of Fr. Al Swartz previously. Here is an authentic American hero who saved thousands of poor children and others in Korea, the Philippines , Mexico and beyond. He has changed their lives and that of their country while sacrificing his own life in imitation of Christ. A wonderful read, well written and inspirational. I have passed it onto to others who are equally impressed.
by J.M. Doyle
I loved this biography of a great man.
by Fr Adrian G. Head
It is amazing that someone in such poor health was able to achieve so much for the poor (with millions of dollars from generous benefactors) in so many countries, despite opposition. One is reminded of St Francesca Cabrini. She suffered from poor health yet, despite opposition, she managed to build hospitals, schools and orphanages in many countries.
by Edward Glennon
There are few books that ever set me on fire with emotion – this is one of those books. I pray that Fr Al will continue to set me on the path to Jesus through Mary. I loved this book and recommend that it should be read by everyone. Take the challenge and go for it.