Parents of Joseph & Caciana Gallegos. Alphonse and his twin brother along with ten brothers and sisters lived in the Barelas community at 1424 Barelas Rd SW. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on February 20, 1931, baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on February 24, 1931 and confirmed on December 6, 1931. He professed the Religion vows in the Order of Augustinian Recollects in 1951 and was ordained Priest on May 24, 1958. He exercised his Priestly ministry in New York, Kansas, California and was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Sacramento on November 4, 1981. Bishop Gallegos died October 6, 1991, when he was struck by a car as he offered aid to a motorist stranded by the side of the road. In 1997, the city of Sacramento erected a life size monument of the Bishop, which is located in downtown Sacramento, Bishop Gallegos Square.
The whole process of BEATIFICATION AND CANONIZATION of Bishop Gallegos “diocesan phase” began on December 4, 2005 and concluded on November 5, 2006 in the Diocese of Sacramento. Since then, much material has been gathered. If results are positive, he will then receive the title of “venerable” and we will then pray for verifying miracles through his intercession. If miracles occur they will be documented and presented. One authenticated miracle would be necessary to declare Bishop Gallegos “Blessed” and another for his Canonization as “Saint”. Many favors are already attributed to the intercession of Bishop Alphonse Gallegos.
BISHOP GALLEGOS CAUSE GOES TO ROME: The life of Bishop Gallegos is now in the hands of God and Rome. We now wait word for Bishop Gallegos to be recognized as a blessed and a Saint. Bishop Alphonse has returned to Rome in a different manner than when he was alive. His life of humble service of God’s people has brought him back to Rome.
VATICIAN APPROVES VALIDITY OF DIOCESAN PROCESS FOR BISHOP GALLEGOS: The Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints has issue an affirmative decree of Validity of the diocesan process for the cause of beatification of Bishop Gallegos. The Congregation also appointed a Spanish Priest, Fr. Jose Luis Gutierrez, a member of Opus Dei, as Relator of Cause of Bishop Gallegos and confirmed the appointment of F. Eliseo Gonzalez, OAR, as official collaborator. The next step is to prepare for the Positio Super Virtutibus, a formal presentation of the virtues of the Bishop.
BISHOP GALLEGOS MORTAL REMAINS WERE TRANSFERRED TO A NEW TOMB: The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe,
711 T Street, Sacramento, California on March 27, 2010.
May our good Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe to whom Bishop Gallegos was so devoted, grant our wish that someday his name be written among the Saints of the Church.
The Servant of God BISHOP ALPHONSE NAPOLEON GALLEGOS, O.A.R.
(Moving Closer to Sainthood)
1931-1991
More information is available in the paperback book
“Bishop of the Barrio” The Life of Bishop Alphonse Gallegos (Available in the Church Religious Store or Parish Office)
and at the website: http://www.augustinianrecollects.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=130&Itemid=83&lang=en
Sacred Heart Catholic Church