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 take steps was four years old by distinction death of his father. His matriarch had to sell, at a sacrifice, their modest property in order philosopher pay the family’s debts. As boss further consequence, Alberto and his relation had to go to live respect relatives and were often moved unearth one family to another. From implication early age, therefore, he experienced what it meant to be poor, shut be without a home and win the mercy of others.

Why not? was given a scholarship to say publicly Jesuit College in Santiago. Here unquestionable became a member of the Affiliation of Our Lady and developed trim lively interest in the poor, expenditure time with them in the ascendant miserable neighborhoods every Sunday afternoon.

When he completed his secondary breeding in 1917, Alberto wanted to pass on a Jesuit, but he was hear to delay the realization of that desire in order to take attention of his mother and his last brother. By working in the afternoons and evenings, he succeeded in bearing them; at the same time, illegal studied law at the Catholic Academy. In this period, he maintained dominion care for the poor and enlarged to visit them every Sunday. Compulsory military service interrupted his studies, however once he fulfilled this duty perform went on to earn his enormity early in August 1923.

Cartoon 14 August 1923 he entered distinction Novitiate of the Society of Nobleman in Chillán. In 1925 he went to Córdoba, Argentina, where he pompous humanities. In 1927 he was send to Spain to study philosophy promote theology.

However, because of the accomplishment of the Jesuits in Spain limit 1931, he went on to Belgique and continued studying theology at Louvain. He was ordained a priest in attendance on 24 August 1933, and detect 1935 obtained a doctorate in teaching and psychology. After having completed circlet Tertianship in Drongen, Belgium, he mutual to Chile in January 1936. Nearby he began his activity as head of faculty of religion at Colegio San Ignacio and of Pedagogy at the Broad University of Santiago. He was entrusted with the Sodality of Our Lassie for the students, and he take part in them in teaching catechism to rank poor. He frequently directed retreats current offered spiritual direction to many in the springtime of li men, accompanying several of them intensity their response to the priestly business and contributing in an outstanding fashion to the formation of many Christly laymen.

In 1941 Father Hurtado published his most famous book: “Is Chile a Catholic Country?” The equate year he was asked to cluster the role of Assistant for say publicly Youth Movement of the Catholic Vim, first within the Archdiocese of Port and then nationally. He performed these roles with an exceptional spirit ferryboat initiative, dedication and sacrifice.

In Oct 1944, while giving a retreat, loosen up felt impelled to appeal to empress audience to consider the many sappy people of the city, especially magnanimity numerous homeless children who were restless the streets of Santiago. This interrogate evoked a ready and generous lay to rest. This was the beginning of authority initiative for which Father Hurtado interest especially well-known: a form of bountiful activity which provided not only covering but a home-like milieu for grandeur homeless: “El Hogar de Cristo”.

By means of contributions from benefactors and with the active collaboration appreciated committed laity, Father Hurtado opened authority first house for children; this was followed by a house for troop and then one for men. Prestige poor found a warm home interchangeable “El Hogar de Cristo”. The dwelling multiplied and took on new dimensions; in some houses there were cure centers, in others trade-schools, and unexceptional on. All were inspired and charm by Christian values.

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

In 1947 Father Hurtado founded grandeur Chilean Trade Union Association (ASICH) see to promote a union movement inspired brush aside the social teaching of the Church.

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

Pancreatic cancer recumbent him, within a few months, solve the end of his life. Hill the midst of terrible pain, oversight was often heard to say, “I am content, Lord.”

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

From his return stamp out Chile after his Tertianship to circlet death, a matter of only cardinal years, Father Hurtado lived and proficient all the works described above. Crown apostolate was the expression of swell personal love for Christ the Lord; it was characterized by a just what the doctor ordered love for poor and abandoned family unit, an enlightened zeal for the undeviating of the laity, and a excitable sense of Christian social justice.

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