September: Servant of God José Jorge Bunader (1889 – 1952)

José Jorge Bunader was born on January 15, 1889, in El Metn (Jabal Lubna, Lebanon). After moving to Argentina, he remained there for the rest of his life. He was a lay Catholic of the Maronite rite. He was married and had a large family, which he cared for with admirable attention and devotion. His daughter herself describes him this way: “In love with God and His glory, steadfast in his faith, committed to his Church, he was an exemplary father to a large family, a faithful and attentive husband, with an attitude appropriate to the times in which he lived.”

The Servant of God continually sought holiness by living his daily life with integrity, simplicity, and modesty. Miraculous signs accompanied him throughout his life and even after his death. He loved to say, regarding holiness: “Glory is due to God alone, for He and He alone is the author of the greatness of His saints.”

Don José Jorge was a devoted member of the Franciscan Third Order (Secular Franciscan Order) and an active participant in Catholic Action Argentina since its founding in Mendoza. Within these institutions, he distinguished himself through his profound union with the Lord, the exemplary practice of Christian virtues, his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his filial, reverent obedience to the Church’s hierarchy. His life shone as a radiant testimony of faith and commitment.

Don José Jorge was also a member of the Archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, whose members embraced the noble duty of keeping vigil before the Eucharist during the hours when no one else was present—whether by day or by night. At that time, it was customary to expose the Blessed Sacrament for perpetual adoration, rotating among the local churches and parishes, so that the faithful could worship continuously, twenty‑four hours a day.

José Jorge fulfilled this honour guard with singular joy, fervent devotion, and unwavering faith. Friends and relatives testify that even those who did not believe were deeply moved by his witness. Knowing the transforming power of his presence, they would discreetly bring non‑believers to the church at the hour of his adoration, without revealing whom they were about to encounter. Time and again, the sight of José Jorge absorbed in prayer—his radiant joy and profound reverence—became a living testimony that led hearts to faith in the Eucharist.

This gift of Eucharistic devotion was one of the many graces bestowed upon him by the Holy Spirit, enabling him to fulfil his mission as a Christian in the world with fidelity and love. Another of the gifts bestowed upon José Jorge by the Holy Spirit—so that he might fulfil his mission as a Christian in this world, a mission he carried out to the fullest as many attest—was the grace of bringing peace and joy to those around him. Even people suffering from profound depression, beyond the reach of medical science, would find themselves “resurrected to a new life of peace and joy” after only a few minutes in his presence.

His spirit was always open and welcoming; he embraced every neighbour without distinction of social, economic, or religious status. His gift of listening, combined with his complete docility to the Holy Spirit, placed on his lips the right words—words that carried the power to heal and console.

Among those who bore witness to this gift was the Salesian priest Pascual Marchesotti, principal of the San Juan Bosco School in Bahía Blanca and a preacher of spiritual retreats throughout Argentina. Speaking of Don José Jorge, he affirmed: “He was a man truly worthy of being a model of the true Christian: extraordinary in the way he lived out his faith. He brought peace and tranquillity to those who approached him with his advice.”

Bunader died in Mendoza on September 11, 1952. In 1999, his daughter Maria Regina published his biography. As his reputation for holiness continued to grow, the diocesan inquiry into Bunader’s life and virtues began on October 17, 2002. On February 1, 2003, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints granted the Maronite Eparchy of St. Charbel in Buenos Aires permission to proceed with the cause for beatification.

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