Monsignor Juan I. Alfaro, O.S.B. -- known by everyone who he served as simply "Fr. Juan" passed away September 2nd at the age of 87.

Born on November 14th, 1938 in Miranda de Arga, Navarra, Spain. Fr Juan was consecrated to our Blessed Mother when he was 8 years old, and he was very devoted to her.

He spoke a dozen languages and focused on Bible Studies at the Pontifical Bible Institute in Rome, where he majored in the Gospel of St John, his letters and the Revelation. Fr. Juan traveled all over the world. He left Spain right after being ordained as a priest to serve as a missionary and studied Theology at St. Thomas University, then taught at San Beda College in Manila, Philippines for more than a decade.

He moved to San Antonio in 1973 and was a professor at the University of the Incarnate Word and the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC). He joined the Archdiocese of San Antonio and served at St. Matthew's and St. Gregory the Great before becoming the pastor at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church from 1991 to 2016.

In the last 10 years Fr. Juan returned to St. Matthew's where he joined the Spanish Bible study group. In 2021 He moved to Casa de Padres and split his time between presiding over masses at both Holy Name and Senyor Santo Nino de Cebu churches on a weekly basis right up until this summer.

Fr. Juan used every ounce of his God given ability to help others through his love, kindness and faith. He was always honest, never held back on giving his opinion on a wide range of subjects, from religion, politics or even international soccer.

He was preceded in death by his parents Quinciano Alfaro Ibanez and Margarita Del Rio Sesma. His brother Jose Guillermo Alfaro del Rio and sister and Maria Angeles Alfaro Del Rio.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Thursday, September 10, 2026

8:00 A.M. Visitation

9:00 A.M.  Rosary

10:00 A.M. Funeral Mass

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church

9883 Marbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78245

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to

Missionaries of Jesus

700 N. Oblate Dr., San Juan, TX 78589