Father Aloysius Schwartz, affectionately known as "Father Al," was an American Catholic priest born on September 18, 1930, in Washington, D.C. From a young age, he felt a calling to serve the poor, leading him to enter St. Charles Seminary in Maryland at 14. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts from Maryknoll College and pursued theological studies at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. During his time in Europe, he was deeply moved by the apparitions of the Virgin of the Poor in Banneux, which inspired him to dedicate his priesthood to serving the impoverished. Ordained on June 29, 1957, Father Al soon embarked on missionary work in South Korea, arriving in Busan later that year. There, he witnessed the devastating aftermath of the Korean War, with countless orphans and destitute families in need of assistance.‍

In response to the overwhelming poverty he encountered, Father Al founded the Sisters of Mary on August 15, 1964, in Busan, South Korea, to provide care and education for orphaned and abandoned children. He later established the Brothers of Christ in 1981 to further support his mission. Through these congregations, he developed Boystown and Girlstown communities, offering shelter, education, and vocational training to thousands of children. His work expanded beyond Korea to the Philippines in 1985 and Mexico in 1991, addressing the needs of the poorest in these countries. Despite being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1989, Father Al continued his mission with unwavering dedication, even establishing new programs from his wheelchair.‍

Father Al passed away on March 16, 1992, in Manila, Philippines, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and service. His efforts have transformed the lives of over 170,000 children across several countries. In recognition of his heroic virtues, Pope Francis declared him "Venerable" in 2015.