Alphonse Gallegos

Ordained a priest on May 24, 1958, Father Alphonse Gallegos began his ministry within his order. He held various positions, notably as a hospital chaplain, novice master in Kansas, and master of professed students in Suffern, New York. At the same time, he pursued brilliant studies and obtained degrees in psychology and educational sciences.

In 1972, he returned to Los Angeles to become pastor of San Miguel parish in Watts, and later of Cristo Rey. This neighborhood, marked by poverty, racial tensions, and gang violence, became his primary field of apostolate. Without fear, Father Gallegos walked the streets at night to meet marginalized youth and gang members, earning their trust through his constant smile and kindness.

In 1979, he was appointed the first director of the Hispanic Affairs Office of the California Catholic Conference. In this position, he organized a vast pastoral network for migrant workers and undocumented immigrants, vigorously defending their rights and dignity.

On November 4, 1981, he was consecrated auxiliary bishop of Sacramento and titular bishop of Sasabe. In 1983, he also became rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sacramento. Nicknamed the "bishop of the barrios" or the "bishop of the lowriders," he showed himself to be particularly close to the subculture of modified car enthusiasts (the lowriders), with whom he prayed and whose vehicles he blessed. He was also an ardent defender of the pro-life cause and the rights of agricultural workers.

On October 6, 1991, while returning from a confirmation celebration in Gridley, Bishop Gallegos stopped on the highway to assist a stranded motorist. It was then that another vehicle struck his car, killing him instantly. His funeral drew a massive crowd, including a procession of more than 300 lowrider cars that came to pay him a final tribute. In view of his growing reputation for holiness, the Diocese of Sacramento opened his cause for canonization on December 4, 2005. The diocesan process concluded on November 4, 2006, after having gathered numerous testimonies. In March 2010, his remains were exhumed from St. Mary Cemetery and solemnly transferred to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sacramento, where they now rest.

On June 5, 2006, Alphonse Gallegos was officially declared a Servant of God. On July 8, 2016, Pope Francis authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, thus proclaiming him "Venerable".

For his beatification to be pronounced, the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession is required. Although numerous favors and unexplained healings are reported by the faithful who pray to him, no miracle has yet been the subject of an official decree from the Holy See.

The spirituality of Bishop Alphonse Gallegos rested on an absolute trust in God and an unconditional love of neighbor, summarized by his episcopal motto: "Love One Another." Marked by his severe visual impairment, he lived through this trial with heroic patience and a contagious joy, never complaining about his near-blindness. His devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe and to Saint Joseph guided his entire ministry.

His legacy remains alive in California, particularly in Sacramento where a bronze statue was erected in his honor on the square that bears his name. Each year, around the anniversary of his death, lowrider clubs organize a commemorative parade to honor the memory of this bishop who knew how to see in them the dignity of children of God.