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1906 – 1982 (June 4)

James Edward “Ned” Connery, son of William H. Connery and Elizabeth Anne Croke, was born in Troy, New York, on August 14, 1906, and was baptized by his uncle Father John A. Hogan, O.S.A. His early education was obtained at Saint Peter Academy and at Troy High School, after which he attended Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, N.Y. Received as a novice on September 8, 1927, he made profession of first vows on September 9, 1928, and solemn vows on September 9, 1931. He graduated from Villanova College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in June, 1932, and completed his theological training at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., where he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop James Ryan at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on June 11, 1935. While in Washington he took graduate courses at Catholic University.

1912 – 1990 (June 4)

John Robert Aherne was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1912, to John P. Aherne and Anna Bradley. He had three sisters, two of whom entered religious life. John was raised in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, and attended the elementary schools of Immaculate Conception and Saint Francis of Assisi Parishes.

1918 – 1974 (May 30) Ralph Leonard Giovinetti was born March 12, 1918 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Giacomo Giovinetti and Philomena Marucci. He was baptized July 23, 1918 at St. Rita of Cascia Church, Philadelphia, and received the Sacrament of Confirmation there on May 2, 1926. After completing his elementary education and studying for one […]

1909 – 1970 (May 29)

Joseph Francis Derby was born October 29, 1909, in Lawrence, Massachusetts to John and Balbina Bastian. He was baptized November 3, 1909, at Assumption Church, Lawrence, and was confirmed on May 3, 1924, at St. Mary Church there. After completing two years of studies at Lawrence High School, he entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, which granted him a high school diploma in 1928. He was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1928. He professed vows on September 10, 1928, and earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1933.

1837 – 1898 (May 29)


Joseph Briody, son of Thomas Briody and Elizabeth Kavanaugh, was born in Old Castle, County Meath, Ireland, and was baptized on February 26, 1837. He was vested at Villanova, Pennsylvania on September 2, 1888, and, following the completion of his novitiate experience, professed vows on February 12, 1896.

1906 – 1988 (May 24)

George J. DeMarco was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 23, 1906, the son of Savario DeMarco and Louisa Varnese. He was baptized at St Mary Magdalene dei Pazzi Church in Philadelphia. He studied at Villanova Preparatory School, and at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, beginning in 1920. He was received into the Order as a novice in June 1924 and after his novitiate he professed first vows on June 26, 1925.

1882 – 1951 (May 21)


Ambrogio Colorito, son of Antonio Colorito and Maria Porto, was born in Maenza, Italy, on April 5, 1882. He professed vows in the Order as a member of the Roman Province on October 22, 1898, studied at the convent of the Most Holy Trinity at Viterbo, and was ordained to the priesthood on July 25, 1905. In Italy he served for a time at the convent of Santo Spirito in Florence.

1892 – 1964 (May 20)

Thomas Joseph Blessington was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on November 25, 1892, to Thomas J. Blessington and Mary Ann Davis. While attending local schools, he also worked as a printer. In 1914, he entered Saint Rita’s Hall and continued on through Villanova Preparatory. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania, on June 24, 1917, and made his simple profession of vows on July 23, 1918. He was solemnly professed on the same day in 1921. Following studies, he was ordained to the priesthood at Villanova by Bishop Michael Crane on September 22, 1923.

1910 – 1983 (May 19)

Francis Patrick Fenton was born October 17, 1910 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to Eugene Fenton and Margaret Holden. He was baptized on October 30, 1910 at St. Mary’s Church there, and received his elementary education at St. Mary’s Parochial School. He later attended Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, which granted him a diploma in 1927. He was received into the novitiate on September 8, 1927, and professed simple vows on September 9, 1928.

1921 – 2001 (May 17)

George Francis Burnell, son of George F. Burnell and Anna Mack, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 20, 1921, and was baptized on February 13, 1921, in the church of St. Edmund. He received his early education at Holy Child Parochial School, and at St. Joseph Preparatory School, both in Philadelphia. From 1937 to 1938, he studied at St. Joseph College. On October 30, 1938, he entered Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, New York, professed first vows on October 31, 1939 and solemn vows on October 31, 1942. He studied philosophy at Villanova University, and graduated with a BA degree in 1942.