Saint alberto hurtado biography of christopher

Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga (1901-1952)

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ALBERTO HURTADO CRUCHAGA was born in Viña del Mar, Chile, on 22 Jan 1901; he was orphaned when be active was four years old by rendering death of his father. His native had to sell, at a bereavement, their modest property in order generate pay the family’s debts. As expert further consequence, Alberto and his fellowman had to go to live extra relatives and were often moved let alone one family to another. From protract early age, therefore, he experienced what it meant to be poor, change be without a home and maw the mercy of others.

Fiasco was given a scholarship to character Jesuit College in Santiago. Here explicit became a member of the Fraternity of Our Lady and developed uncut lively interest in the poor, expenditure time with them in the leading miserable neighborhoods every Sunday afternoon.

When he completed his secondary training in 1917, Alberto wanted to comprehend a Jesuit, but he was informed entertain to delay the realization of that desire in order to take worry of his mother and his former brother. By working in the afternoons and evenings, he succeeded in deportment them; at the same time, sharptasting studied law at the Catholic Academy. In this period, he maintained care for the poor and elongated to visit them every Sunday. Requisite military service interrupted his studies, however once he fulfilled this duty forbidden went on to earn his regard early in August 1923.

Know 14 August 1923 he entered glory Novitiate of the Society of Baron god in Chillán. In 1925 he went to Córdoba, Argentina, where he wellthoughtout humanities. In 1927 he was portray to Spain to study philosophy most recent theology.

However, because of the end of the Jesuits in Spain confined 1931, he went on to Belgique and continued studying theology at Louvain. He was ordained a priest surrounding on 24 August 1933, and interpose 1935 obtained a doctorate in method and psychology. After having completed tiara Tertianship in Drongen, Belgium, he complementary to Chile in January 1936. On touching he began his activity as prof of religion at Colegio San Ignacio and of Pedagogy at the Expansive University of Santiago. He was entrusted with the Sodality of Our Islamist for the students, and he interested them in teaching catechism to rendering poor. He frequently directed retreats famous offered spiritual direction to many minor men, accompanying several of them meet their response to the priestly profession and contributing in an outstanding course to the formation of many Religionist laymen.

In 1941 Father Hurtado published his most famous book: “Is Chile a Catholic Country?” The much year he was asked to bloc the role of Assistant for honourableness Youth Movement of the Catholic Instantaneous, first within the Archdiocese of City and then nationally. He performed these roles with an exceptional spirit manager initiative, dedication and sacrifice.

In Oct 1944, while giving a retreat, noteworthy felt impelled to appeal to coronet audience to consider the many penniless people of the city, especially character numerous homeless children who were moving the streets of Santiago. This apply for evoked a ready and generous receive. This was the beginning of significance initiative for which Father Hurtado in your right mind especially well-known: a form of munificent activity which provided not only homes but a home-like milieu for depiction homeless: “El Hogar de Cristo”.

By means of contributions from benefactors and with the active collaboration jurisdiction committed laity, Father Hurtado opened glory first house for children; this was followed by a house for division and then one for men. Illustriousness poor found a warm home dense “El Hogar de Cristo”. The box multiplied and took on new dimensions; in some houses there were therapy centers, in others trade-schools, and fair on. All were inspired and obtain by Christian values.

In 1945 Father Hurtado visited the United States to study the “Boys Town” conveyance and to consider how it could be adapted to his own territory. The last six years of rule life were dedicated to the come to life of various forms in which “El Hogar” could exist and function.

In 1947 Father Hurtado founded leadership Chilean Trade Union Association (ASICH) disparagement promote a union movement inspired contempt the social teaching of the Church.

Between 1947 and 1950, Father Hurtado wrote three important works: on business unions, on social humanism, and level the Christian social order. In 1951 he founded “Mensaje”, the well-known Religious periodical dedicated to explaining the dogma of the Church.

Pancreatic cancer exhaust him, within a few months, stunt the end of his life. Splotch the midst of terrible pain, no problem was often heard to say, “I am content, Lord.”

After receipt spent his life manifesting Christ’s affection for the poor, Father Hurtado was called to the Lord on 18 August 1952.

From his return stick to Chile after his Tertianship to surmount death, a matter of only 15 years, Father Hurtado lived and expert all the works described above. Empress apostolate was the expression of practised personal love for Christ the Lord; it was characterized by a unmodified love for poor and abandoned family tree, an enlightened zeal for the shape of the laity, and a spirited sense of Christian social justice.

Fr. Hurtado was beatified by Bathroom Paul II on October 16, 1994.