Early life

Mario Avilés was born on September 16, 1969, in Mexico City, Mexico, the son of Rafael and María Guadalupe He professed his vows to the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri (Oratorians) in 1986, entering their seminary in Mexico City. He transferred to Pharr, Texas, in 1988, to teach at the Oratorian Oratory School there.^[1]

The Oratorians later sent Avilés to Rome to attend the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. In 1998, he received Bachelor of Philosophy and Bachelor of Sacred Theology degrees there.^[2][1] He also received a Master of Education Administration and Supervision degree in Texas.^[2]

Priesthood

On July 21, 1998, Avilés was ordained to the priesthood at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle in San Juan, Texas by Bishop José Raúl Vera López for the Oratorians.^[3]

After his 1998 ordination, the Oratorians assigned Avilés as parochial vicar of St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in Pharr. The order named him in 2000 as a member of the permanent deputation of Confederation of the Oratory.^[1]In 2002, Avilés was appointed as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Hidalgo, Texas. He would remain at Sacred Heart until 2017.^[1]

In addition to his position at Sacred Heart, Avilés in 2005 was appointed director of the Oratory Academy of St. Philip Neri, an elementary and middle school, and the Oratory Athenaeum For University Prep, a high school, both in Pharr.^[1] He became a member of the diocesan pastoral council in 2011. In 2012, the Oratorians appointed Avilés as procurator general.^[3]

Auxiliary Bishop of Brownsville

Pope Francis appointed Avilés as auxiliary bishop of Brownsville on December 4, 2017. On February 22, 2018, Avilés was consecrated by Bishop Daniel E. Flores at Our Lady of San Juan, with Bishops Raymundo Peña, and Eugenio Andrés Lira Rugarcía serving as co-consecrators.^[3][1]