Author Archives: admin

1915 – 2012 (December 25)

John Joseph Fitzgerald was born December 9, 1915 in Berwyn, Pennsylvania to Thomas and Clara Fitzgerald. He was baptized December 19, 1915, at Saint Monica Church, Berwyn. John received his elementary education at Saint Monica School, and began his secondary education at Saint Katherine High School, but transferred to Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, from which he graduated in 1933. He was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1933, professed simple vows on September 10, 1934 and solemn vows on September 10, 1938.

1913 – 1983 (December 25)

William John Carney, the son of Angus Carney and Mary McKenna, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 4, 1913. He attended Holy Savior Parochial School in Linwood, Pennsylvania and then Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, Pa. for one year. He transferred to LaSalle High School for his second year and then entered the Order as a postulant in September 1928.

1930 – 1966 (December 24)

Bernard Joseph Dunleavy was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 5, 1930, to Bernard Dunleavy and Margaret Rodgers. He attended the parochial school of Our Mother of Consolation, Chestnut Hill, and graduated from Roman Catholic High School, Philadelphia. He entered the novitiate in September 1950 and after the profession of simple vows on September 10, 1951, began studies at Villanova College, from which he graduated in 1954. Bernard made his solemn profession on September 10, 1954 and pursued theological studies at Washington, D.C.

1893 – 1980 (December 23)

Aurelio M. Ciantar was born on August 15, 1893, in the city of Vittoria, on the island of Malta, to Paul Ciantar and Mary Gatt. He entered the Order at the age of 19, and professed simple vows on October 19, 1913. He made solemn profession on October 22, 1916 and was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1920.

1864 – 1922 (December 21)

Laurence Augustine Delurey was born in Easton, New York, on May 15, 1864, one of 7 children of Daniel Delurey and Catherine Sheridan, Irish immigrants who operated a farm near Schaghticoke, N.Y. Laurence was baptized in the Church of St. John in Schaghticoke by Fr. Louis Edge, O.S.A., an early pioneer of the American Province. After attending local schools and Valley Falls High School, Laurence matriculated at Villanova College from 1881 to 1884. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania in 1885, and professed first vows on August 29, 1886.

1886 – 1955 (December 21)

William Henry Cotter was born in Syracuse, New York, on June 25, 1886, to Michael Cotter and Margaret McNierney. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania in 1909, pronounced simple vows on June 25, 1910, and pursued his AB degree at Villanova College. From September, 1912 to June, 1915. He did theological studies in Rome, and there, on October 22, 1913, he made his solemn profession. He returned to the United States, and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop McCort at Villanova on July 1, 1915. The following year he obtained his MA at Villanova.

1844 – 1897 (December 21) John Phillips Gilmore, the son of Thomas Gilmore and Ellen Phillips, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 5, 1844. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pa., on December 28, 1861, and professed first vows on December 31, 1862. Three years later, he was sent to Ghent, Belgium, to continue […]

1833 – 1916 (December 20)

Denis Curtin was born, according to his own testimony, on May 13, 1833. He stated this to one of his confreres on May 13, 1916, some months before his death. His birth took place at Emly in County Tipperary, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States and worked for some years in Troy, New York, as a shoemaker. He was vested at Villanova, Pennsylvania on May 7, 1893 with the name Brother Francis Xavier, and was professed on October 7, 1899. Solemn Profession followed on November 7, 1902.

1906 – 1969 (December 20) Thomas F. Gilligan was born in Philadelphia on August 6, 1906, one of ten children of Thomas Gilligan and Ellen Fanning. His brother, Francis, also entered the Order as a member of our Province. Thomas was professed on June 22, 1924, and received his Bachelor and Master of Arts degree […]

1859 – 1934 (December 19)

Charles Mary Driscoll was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on June 18, 1859, the son of Timothy Driscoll and Bridget Foley. He was educated at St. Patrick Parochial School and Lawrence High School, before enrolling at Villanova College. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, on December 8 1879, and made his profession of simple vows on December 8, 1880.