Deceased Friars

Buenaventura Vargas Urzagasti, OFM

Buenaventura Vargas Urzagasti

1910 – 1978

Fr. Bonaventure Vargas Urzagasti, OFM, was born in Tarija, Bolivia, on March 4, 1910. He was a member of the Custody of San Antonio de los Charcas, which became a part of Holy Name Province in 1971.

He was received into the novitiate on April 20, 1928, and professed temporary vows May 3, 1929. Shortly thereafter, the Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay broke out and interrupted his studies for priesthood.

Inducted into the Army, he served as a medic in hospitals in Tarija, Sucre, and Villamontes. When the war ended he resumed his Franciscan life, and professed his solemn vows on Sept. 29, 1938, and was ordained a priest on Oct. 28, 1939, in La Paz. Fr. Bonaventure was the guardian of the friaries in Oruro and Tarata.

The enthusiasm and energy of this vibrant friar contributed significantly to the building up of the Franciscan Order in Bolivia. He died on May 5, 1978. He was 68 years old, a professed friar for 49 years, and a priest for 38 years.

Each of us should be called a lesser brother, a Friar Minor. Each one of us should wash the feet of the others.”

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Buenaventura Vargas Urzagasti, OFM

Buenaventura Vargas Urzagasti

1910 – 1978

Fr. Bonaventure Vargas Urzagasti, OFM, was born in Tarija, Bolivia, on March 4, 1910. He was a member of the Custody of San Antonio de los Charcas, which became a part of Holy Name Province in 1971.

He was received into the novitiate on April 20, 1928, and professed temporary vows May 3, 1929. Shortly thereafter, the Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay broke out and interrupted his studies for priesthood.

Inducted into the Army, he served as a medic in hospitals in Tarija, Sucre, and Villamontes. When the war ended he resumed his Franciscan life, and professed his solemn vows on Sept. 29, 1938, and was ordained a priest on Oct. 28, 1939, in La Paz. Fr. Bonaventure was the guardian of the friaries in Oruro and Tarata.

The enthusiasm and energy of this vibrant friar contributed significantly to the building up of the Franciscan Order in Bolivia. He died on May 5, 1978. He was 68 years old, a professed friar for 49 years, and a priest for 38 years.