These are the words of Fr Pedro Aguado, Father General of the Order of the Pious Schools, who presided at the Mass of thanksgiving for the life and vocation of Fr Mario Vizcaino, Sch. Fr.
The Eucharist gathered several hundred believers at St. John the Apostle Parish in Hialeah, Florida. Mario, who gave his life entirely to the mission of the Church in various parts of the United States as well as in Tabasco and many other places.
Fr. Pedro Aguado in his homily pointed out that Fr. Mario Vizcaino lived as a new Calasanz in our times. First of all, his life is a symbol and witness of the Church in Salida, especially among the Hispanic people in the USA. Always with the Piarist qualities that define the dedication of our holy founder Calasanz, tenacious patience and fortunate daring. This has been the way Fr. Mario has built Pious Schools.
Secondly, Father General drew a parallel between the trial of dispossession and the trial of faith that our founder lived with the testimony lived by Father Mario in the last years of his life. In spite of the dark moments, he remained standing, preaching, proclaiming the Gospel, accompanying, working steadfastly for the Kingdom of God, praying unceasingly, united to the province and to his religious and ecclesial community, as well as a heroic and unequalled joy.
Finally, Father Pedro addressed the Piarists and lay people, encouraging them to be witnesses of such dedication and to continue the missionary work and accompaniment through the Hispanic pastoral.
Favarola and Fr. Francisco Anaya, provincial of USA-PR addressed a message honouring the memory of Father Mario Vizcaino and encouraging all those present to see through Father Mario, the height of our faith, which is the definitive encounter with the Father, the eternal life and the unconditional brotherhood that makes all things different.
After the solemn and warm Eucharist, Father Mario’s body was laid to rest in Fort Loderdale Cemetery. Rest in peace, dear brother Mario and thank you for this mission that is now ours to continue in the name of the one who made all things, Jesus our Lord.
