Ordained to the Priesthood:
July 21, 1998

Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Brownsville and Titular Bishop of Cataquas:
December 4, 2017

Ordained to the Office of Bishop:
February 22, 2018

Biographical Summary:

Bishop Mario Alberto Avilés was born in Mexico City on Sept. 16, 1969. The son of Rafael and María Guadalupe Avilés, he joined the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in 1986.

His studies to the priesthood took him initially to Mexico City and then to Rome where he received bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and sacred theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum.

He holds a master’s degree in education administration and supervision and is a certified teacher in the state of Texas.

He was ordained to the priesthood on July 21, 1998 at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle – National Shrine, in San Juan. Upon his ordination, he was appointed parochial vicar at St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Pharr. He also began working with his Congregation at the Pharr Oratory Schools as a member of the governance board, teacher, principal and rector. Additionally, he served in the Congregation as vicar, secretary, treasurer and novice master.

In 2002, he was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Hidalgo and is also the representative for the religious priests in the Diocese of Brownsville’s pastoral council. From 2000 to 2012 he was elected and served as a member of the permanent deputation of the Confederation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri for Latin America. At the General Congress of 2012, he was elected procurator general of the Confederation of the Oratory. 

On February 22, 2018, he was ordained by Bishop Daniel E. Flores, as the first auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville.  

For his episcopal motto, Bishop-elect Avilés has chosen, “Caritas Dei diffusa est in cordibus nostris,” (The love of God has been poured out into our hearts) from Romans 5:5.