Mariano Simon Garriga

Mariano Simon Garriga (May 30, 1886—February 21, 1965) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Corpus Christi from 1949 until his death in 1965.

Biography

Mariano Garriga was born in Port Isabel, Texas, to Frank and Elizabeth (née Baker) Garriga.^[1] He studied at St. Mary College in Kansas City, Kansas, and at St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.^[2] He was ordained to the priesthood on July 2, 1911.^[3] He then served as assistant chancellor of the Archdiocese of San Antonio until 1912, when he became a curate in Marfa.^[1]

In 1915 he was named vice-rector of St. John Seminary in San Antonio.^[1] He served as a chaplain to the National Guard during World War I, training with the 36th Infantry Division.^[1] From 1919 to 1936, he was pastor of St. Cecilia Church in San Antonio.^[1] He also served as president of Incarnate Word College.^[1] He was a professor at St. John Seminary from 1921 to 1936, and became historian of the San Antonio Archdiocese in 1926.^[1] He was raised to the rank of Papal Chamberlain in October 1934, and a Domestic Prelate in September 1935.^[2]

On June 20, 1936, Garriga was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Corpus Christi and Titular Bishop of Syene by Pope Pius XI.^[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 21 from Archbishop Arthur Jerome Drossaerts, with Bishops Emmanuel Boleslaus Ledvina and Aloisius Joseph Muench serving as co-consecrators.^[3] He was the first Catholic bishop of a Texas diocese to be born in the state.^[1] In addition to his episcopal duties, he served as pastor of St. Peter Church in Laredo (1936-1948).^[1] Upon the resignation of Bishop Ledvina, Garriga succeed him as the third Bishop of Corpus Christi on March 15, 1949.^[3] During his 16-year-long tenure, he founded a minor seminary in 1960 and established several parochial schools.^[4]

Garriga later died at age 78. He is buried in the crypt of Corpus Christi Cathedral.^[1]

References