1894 – 1958 (July 23)
Francis J. Casey was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on March 13, 1894, to Francis Casey and Susan Riley, and was baptized at St. Mary’s Church by Father Valiquette, O.S.A. He attended St. Mary’s Parish School and St. John High School in Danvers, and then entered St. Rita’s Hall, Villanova, in September, 1914. He was accepted into the novitiate at Villanova, in June, 1915, and professed simple vows on June 25, 1916. He made his solemn profession on the same day in 1919. He obtained his AB degree from Villanova in June, 1918, and pursued theological studies. Francis was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Dougherty in the Cathedral of Philadelphia on June 10, 1922.