Mario Hiriart was a Chilean engineer and lay religious member of the Schoenstatt movement who lived from 1931 to 1964. Born in Santiago, he achieved high academic distinction in his studies at the Catholic University of Chile before dedicating his life to spiritual service. He joined the Secular Institute of the Brothers of Mary, seeking to live a life of holiness through daily activities. After battling terminal cancer, he died in Milwaukee, United States, at the age of 33. He is currently recognized as a venerable by the Catholic Church.
Life and work
An exceptional student, Hiriart graduated as a civil engineer with maximum honors. He received the Marcos Orrego Puelma prize for his academic excellence and later served as a professor. While working at CORFO, he decided to pursue a religious vocation. In 1957, he traveled to Brazil for formation within the Schoenstatt community, eventually formally joining the Brothers of Mary in 1959.
Veneration
The Catholic Church has advanced his cause for beatification, recognizing his heroic virtues. In 2020, Pope Francis declared him a venerable. His life is remembered for his commitment to the Schoenstatt ideal of being a saint in everyday life. His feast day is observed annually on July 15, the anniversary of his death.