Basilian Fathers In Mexico

Pope John XXIII’s special concern for the Latin American people was shared by the Basilians. A severe religious persecution of the Church had ended barely 20 years before Fathers Max Murphy and Frank Launtrie arrived near Mexico City in 1961 to take over the large territory of San Juan de Aragon. Since that time, the Basilians have built up and turned back to the dioceses a number of parishes as they move to the next place where they are needed. 

A program of catechesis known as Catechesis Familiar was developed by the Basilians, working with local religious, to form Christian witness and promote the foundations of a Christian community. The program has spread throughout the country. Realizing that one of the greatest needs was for Christian leaders, a house of studies was opened in Mexico City in 1967 where poor boys who showed promise and a desire for a higher education could be helped. Centro Cultural Aragón was in operation here until 1978. 

Basilian Father Joseph Shannon, veteran missionary, serves as a confessor at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

In the state of Puebla, the Basilians have a novitiate at San Lorenzo, Tehuacan, and administer the parishes of San Lorenzo and Caltepec. Fathers Tom Sepulveda and Alberto Ferrara teach at the local seminary and publish a vocations news magazine for youth in addition to their work with the seminary. Father Francois Morfin serves at the parish of San Lorenzo and Father Ed Zemelko is chaplain at a small Catholic Hospital in the city of Tehuacán.

Father John Boscoe is the administrator at Caltepec, a large rural area where the quality of life is marginal and difficult. Here, Fathers Boscoe, Bill Frankenberger and Jess Owens have charge of sixteen churches and chapels in that single parish. Many of these are remote, high in the mountains; twelve towns and ranch communities are incorporated in the area. Originally consisting of 22 pueblos, in 2000 the parish was divided and the new parish of Santiago Acatepec was formed and turned back to the Diocese of Tehuacan. Three pueblos from a third parish were incorporated into Caltepec making a total of twelve towns now served by the Basilians.

At the shrine of Our Lord of Mercy, a Casa de las Peregrinos had been built to house the pilgrims. Today, the Basilians of Catepec use the house for a high school program. During the week, forty students from the rural areas who would otherwise have no opportunity higher education stay at the Casa during the week. Here the Basilians provide meals and supplies for the students, and the government provides teachers for the program. On the weekends, the youth return to their mountain homes to help with the family work.

A Basilian House of Studies (Casa San Felipe) was begun in 1978 as a house of formation for young men interested in joining the congregation. This house has recently moved from Mexico City to the Archdiocese of Xalapa in the state of Veracruz. The new house is located near the excellent diocesan seminary. Father Alejandro Romero is the Master of Scholastics and Director of Vocations. Father Roberto Rojas, who is the superior of the Basilians in Mexico will assist him in the job of formation and be in charge of a nearby chapel. 

You may notice that our priests in some of the photos taken in the rural areas are not wearing a Roman collar. This is a custom throughout the country and is a holdover from the religious persecutions. Article 130 of the Constitution of 1917 prohibited the wearing of clerical garb in public. Article 130, along with other anticlerical articles, was only stricken from the constitution in 1992 in order to pave the way for establishing diplomatic relations with the Vatican. Today, although clerical garb is not still strictly forbidden, only the bishops and members of a few religious orders are seen in public in the traditional habits or collars.