Reverend Severiano Fernandez, O.S.A., 72, of Beaumont, died Sunday, May 20, 2012, at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, Beaumont. Born in Campos de Villa Videl, Leon, Spain, to Benedicta Andres and Herminio Fernandez, on April 30, 1940, he was the second born of four children.
A member of the Augustinian Fathers of the Castilian Province–O.S.A., Father Fernandez was ordained on July 9, 1964, in Calahorra, Logroño, Spain. In 1966, his province house missioned him to the United States; where he became a Naturalized Citizen on May 6, 1994. Father Fernandez received a Masters of Art Degree from Texas Christian University, Waco, in 1970.
Upon arriving in Dallas, he was involved in the construction of St. Anthony Church in Elmendorf, Texas; and spent several years at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waxahachie. He then served in the Diocese of Beaumont at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Vidor, as Parochial Vicar, 1971-1973; and as Pastor, 1989-2002, Episcopal Vicar, Eastern Vicariate, 1999-2000, and Cristo Rey Catholic Church, Beaumont, Priest in Residence from March 2012 until present.
Father Fernandez will be remembered as a kind and generous person. He knew how to give advice in an honest yet gentle manner and treated every person the same way.
Survivors include his brother, Juan Fernandez and his wife, Maruja, and their children, Juan and his wife, Amparo, and their children, Cristina and Patricia; sister, Teresa Fernandez and her husband, Eusebio Rodriguez, and their children, Carlos and Alberto; brother, Agustin Fernandez and his special friend, Gloria Mate; lifelong family friend, Julia Martins; many cousins, friends and church family members.
The reception of Father Fernandez’s body will be welcomed at 7:30 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 8:00 p.m., in English, and 9:00 p.m., in Spanish, Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at Cristo Rey Catholic Church, 767 Avenue A, Beaumont. There will be an all night vigil held for Father Fernandez at the church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 24, 2012, at Cristo Rey Catholic Church, with burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cristo Rey Catholic Church, 767 Avenue A, Beaumont, Texas 77701-4103.
