Auxiliary Bishop Joseph J. Madera, M.Sp.S., Passes to Eternal Life

Served in the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, from 1991 to 2004

Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Joseph J. Madera, M.Sp.S., 1927-2017.

CULVER CITY, CALIF. – The Most Reverend Joseph J. Madera, M.Sp.S., Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), ended his earthly pilgrimage on Saturday, January 21, 2017. He was 89.

Bishop Madera served in the AMS from May 28, 1991, to September 15, 2004, as an auxiliary to the late Archbishop Joseph T. Dimino, and later, to His Eminence, Edwin Cardinal O’Brien.

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, said:

“The AMS is deeply grateful to Bishop Madera for his ministry both as an Auxiliary Bishop and later as a joyful and prayerful companion. He maintained contact with the AMS offices and was fondly remembered by many chaplains for his simple charm and evident joy. The family of this global Archdiocese joins with the family of Bishop Madera to pray for the repose of his soul and the consolation of his family and the members of his religious order.”

Condolences have also been received on behalf of the Holy Father by way of a message from Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, to Archbishop Broglio:

“The Holy Father was saddened to learn of the death of Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Joseph J. Madera. Recalling with gratitude Bishop Madera’s years of episcopal ministry in the Diocese of Fresno and in dedicated service to the men and women of the American armed forces, he joins you and all present at the Mass of Christian Burial in commending his soul to the merciful love of God our heavenly Father. To all who mourn Bishop Madera in the hope of the resurrection His Holiness cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Bishop Madera was born in San Francisco, Calif., on November 27, 1927, the fifth son of Mr. Jesus Madera and Mrs. Paz Uribe. He entered the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit at a young age in Mexico, and after two years he pronounced his first religious vows on October 3, 1948. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 15, 1957, and pursued his priestly ministry in Mexico and California. On December 18, 1979, he was appointed coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Fresno, Calif., and was ordained a bishop on March 4, 1980. He succeeded as bishop of the diocese on June 1, 1980.

After his retirement from the AMS, Bishop Madera rejoined the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit and resided for seven years in St. Martha Parish in the city of Huntington Park, Calif. He is survived by his sister, Ms. Carmen Madera.

Funeral arrangements for Bishop Madera are as follows:

Friday, January 27
8:30 p.m. Visitation at Saint Martha Catholic Church
6000 Seville Avenue in Huntington Park, CA 90255;

Saturday, January 28
10:00 a.m. Mass for the Dead at St. Martha Catholic Church
6000 Seville Avenue in Huntington Park, CA 90255;

Sunday, January 29
7:00 p.m. Reception of body of Bishop Madera at Our Lady of Guadalupe
7:30 p.m. Vigil Service (Holy Rosary included)
500 N. Juanita Avenue in Oxnard, CA 93030;

Monday, January 30
11:30 a.m. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe
500 N. Juanita Avenue in Oxnard, CA 93030
7:30 p.m. Rosary
8:00 p.m. Vigil
Saint John the Baptist Cathedral
2814 Mariposa Street, Fresno, CA 93721
(Bishop Madera to remain overnight);

Tuesday, January 31
1:00 p.m. Funeral Mass at Saint Anthony of Padua
5770 North Maroa Ave., Fresno, CA 93704;

St. Peters Cemetery
264 North Blythe Ave., Fresno, CA 93706
Committal and Interment following funeral Mass.

Please pray for the repose of his soul.

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