Oscar Gumersindo Alonso Hoz

After finishing elementary studies in his native village, he entered the Piarists’ formation house in Villacarriedo and later in Getafe, where he finished high school. He entered the novitiate on August 14, 1957 and made his first profession on August 15, 1958.

He continued his studies at the House of Formation in Irache (1958-61). He then studied theology in Albelda (1961-63) and in Salamanca (1963-65).

The Piarist Fathers’ Castilian Province assigned him to the United States, where he arrived on January 18, 1966. He resided at the Piarists’ House of Studies in Washington, DC with Father Mario Vizcaino as his Master of Juniors. He completed his theological studies at the Catholic University of America with a master’s degree. He was ordained a priest in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on February 17, 1968.

He was then assigned to the Piarist community in Devon, PA. He did not stop studying. He obtained a master’s degree in library science in 1970 and another master’s degree in Spanish literature in 1975 from Villanova University in suburban Philadelphia. He taught Spanish and theology from 1968 until 1979 at Devon Prep. He served as the librarian of the school and as a formator and Director of Vocations for the Piarists’ Province. He offered pastoral services in nearby parishes and convents.

In 1979, Father Oscar was assigned to Fort Lauderdale, FL. Since then, he taught theology at Cardinal Gibbons High School. In 2003, he was also appointed to serve as Superior of the Piarist community.

His work in the school did not completely fill his time. He assisted for decades at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Lighthouse Point, St. Bonaventure Parish in Weston, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Pompano Beach, and St. Joan of Arc Parish and St. Jude Parish, both in Boca Raton.

He never got tired of studying and sharing with others, what he learned. He devoted himself to thoroughly study the Bible. He offered courses at the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI) in the master’s program for Hispanic ministry. He also taught courses on the Bible for the men training to be permanent deacons in the Archdiocese of Miami. During the 1980’s, he also taught as an adjunct professor at Saint Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach. More recently, he offered courses on the Bible in local parishes.

One of the most interesting facets of Father Oscar’s life was his missionary vocation. Since 1981, he took part regularly in the summer missions with Father Mario and other Piarists in the parish of Macuspana in Tabasco, Mexico. He put his soul into his ministry among the people of the rancherias. He not only financially supported some construction projects (chapels), but also more importantly trained lay leaders in the local communities and lay volunteer missionaries from the United States. For many years, he also promoted a Bible program by offering Bibles to farmers at a very very low cost. For a few weeks every summer, he applied himself to this gigantic task. He did so in the tradition of so many generations of missionaries in the country of Mexico.

Father Oscar always said that he wanted “to die with his boots on.” He did just that. He taught at Cardinal Gibbons High School for 39 years. Father Oscar died peacefully in his sleep on February 16, 2018 in the Piarist Fathers’ residence in Fort Lauderdale. He would have celebrated his 50th anniversary as a priest on February 17. He will now celebrate his anniversary in heaven with Saint Joseph Calasanz and Saint Paula Montal.

A viewing will take place on Saturday, February 24 from 12:15 until 1:30 PM at Saint Paul the Apostle Church in Lighthouse Point, FL. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 PM in the same church. Burial will take place in Burgos, Spain.

In lieu of flowers, the Piarist Fathers request that donations in memory of Father Oscar Alonso be made to the Piarist Seminarian or Retirement Funds, P.O. Box 11822, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33339.

May he rest in peace.