In our present time, our local bishops faced much hatred and controversy due to politics, accusations of some anomalies and hatred of our Catholic faith. But if we are going to look back in our own history, such incidents already existed and very few rise above it through their faithful service and obedience to God’s will. This was the life of Servant of God Bishop Alfredo Verzosa, the first Ilocano Bishop and the First Filipino Bishop of Lipa. Although he was one of the pioneers in our church history, he worked hard for his flock and suffered much yet he endured them for the love of God, Our Blessed Mother and his beloved Church.
Early life
Alfredo Florentin Verzosa was born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, on December 9, 1877 from the well-to-do Verzosa clan. The family, being a seedbed for his sanctity, was deeply religious. 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.
His Life as a Priest
At a young age, he entered the seminary at Nueva Segovia, and ordained in 1904. Alfredo 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.
The First Ilocano Bishop
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 to be elevated as Bishop and the first from Northern Luzon – the first Ilocano.
He was also known as the great builder. Bishop Verzosa was untiring and diligent in his efforts to propagate the Church. During the years 1917 – 1951, he had opened several catechetical centers, established schools, built churches, seminaries, and convents. He founded the Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Heart, together with Sister Laura Mendoza, a widow and catechist, a congregation whose main apostolate is catechesis and the education of the youth.
He was also instrumental in allowing the establishment of foreign religious congregations in our soil to help spread the word of God in our youth. Truly, we are fortunate to have a shepherd like Bishop Alfredo Verzosa, whose concern is always for the good of the Church and the growth of Faith. He even used his own inheritance money to subsidize his projects.
The outbreak of the Second World War
When World War II broke out, several thousands of priests, nuns, and civilians were killed. The good bishop Verzosa tasked himself in helping the survivors escape the brutality of war by evacuating them to remote barrios safely.
It was unfortunate that many of his projects, the schools, religious houses and the seminaries, were reduced to ashes after the war. He lost no time in rebuilding. He was able to source funds from the Philippine War Damage Commission, and also dipped from his personal funds. On the very spot where thousands were massacred, Bishop Verzosa built the Carmelite monastery. He invited Carmelite nuns to live there, so that their powerful prayers may serve as reparations for the bloodshed committed there.
The Lipa Events
In 1948, a young postulant named Teresita Castillo from the said monastery claimed seeing apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Rose petals showered the convent, and the news spread that miracles were taking place.
At first, the bishop was skeptical, and wanted to warn the nuns on getting carried away by sensationalism. When rose petals fell on him while inside the convent, the experience left him speechless. After that, he allowed the veneration by the public to go on.
However, in 1951, a negative verdict was given to the Lipa events and it has affected many, and personages were removed from office. One of them was the good Bishop Verzosa. The administration of the diocese was then transferred to the young Bishop Rufino Santos as Apostolic Administrator.
His silent way of the Cross
Bishop Verzosa 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 by Bishop Alfredo Obviar, 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 installment of the damage claim was used to settle the debts and finance the needs of various religious orders.
On his way “In Patria”
On the night of June 27, 1954, Sunday, Bishop Verzosa asked for the final Sacrament of Extreme Unction. 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 Nueva Segovia at the Cathedral of Vigan.
The Cause of his Sainthood
In 2013 , led by the Most Rev. Ernesto Salgado DD, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia opened his official cause for beatification. In 2015, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints granted Nihil Obstat on his cause for sainthood and as of this date, pilgrims would visit Vigan Cathedral where his moral remains were laid to rest for veneration of the faithful and testimonies of granted favors are being gathered as of this writing.
The life of Bishop Alfredo Verzosa was one of a life of missionary zeal, charity and suffering. As a shepherd, he took care of the spiritual needs of his flock tirelessly to ensure that they are nourished with God’s grace. In his times of trial, he accepted them and his faith kept him alive and it never wavered until the end. May his life will become an inspiration to our clergy for his selfless love for God and His flock and for us as well on accepting our sufferings with humility.
As we conclude this blogpost, here is the prayer for the cause of beatification and canonization of Servant of God Bishop Alfredo Verzosa:
Lord, our God, through the Most Sacred Heart of Your Son, we thank You for having given us your faithful shepherd Bishop Alfredo Verzosa. His life is an exemplary model of humility, obedience and patient endurance in suffering. He revealed to us Your compassion for the multitude by his example of love for the poor and the needy.
Grant us, through his intercession the grace we ask of You. (Mention your request)
And if it is Your divine will, may his sanctity be lifted up to the altars so that in him more people will be drawn to You. We ask this through Mary, our Mother, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
For favors granted through the intercession of Servant of God Bishop Alfredo Verzosa, you may communicate them at the following:
Missionary Catechist of the Sacred Heart Convent
St. John the Baptist Parish,
San Juan, Ilocos Sur
MCSH Motherhouse
Sabang 4217 Lipa City, Batangas
Reference:
Josue, Ericson, Miles Christi: The Soldier of Christ – A short of biography of His Excellency, the Most Rev. Alfredo F. Verzosa, DD, 2003.
Rico, Liza, Alfredo Verzosa: A Saint in our time, 2014, Retrieved from https://noonbreakbalita.com/2014/583/alfredo-versoza-saint-time/ on June 18, 2019.
Vigan begins cause for Verzosa’s beatification. Retrieved from cbcpnews.com. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
Pintakasi 