Category Archives: today

1875 – 1939 (January 28) Francis Patrick Quinn, son of Edward Quinn and Sarah Melvin, was born in Watertown, New York, on September 13, 1875. He was received as a postulant at Villanova, PA, on June 29, 1901, entered the novitiate some months later, and made his simple profession of vows on October 26, 1902. […]

1890 – 1967 (December 13) Edward Joseph Mary Quinn was born in Hazelton, Pennsylvania on December 31, 1890, to Cormac Quinn amd Mary Moore. He attended school in Jessup, Pa., and in September 1912, became a postulant at Villanova. He was received into the novitiate on June 25, 1915 at Corr Hall and professed simple […]

1913 – 2004 (November 27) Thomas Patrick Purcell, son of Thomas E. Purcell and Martha Madden, was born on May 9, 1913, in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, and baptized in the Church of St. Edward. In 1928, he graduated from St. Edward Elementary School and then worked at an A & P Supermarket until 1931, when he […]

1845 – 1910 (June 1) Nazzareno Proposta was born in Latera, Italy, on December 26, 1845. He was vested with the Augustinian habit by his uncle, Father Agostino Semeria, at Genazzano, on March 19, 1856. After completing his early education in the minor seminary, he entered the novitiate at Genazzano under Novice Master Giuseppe Mecobelli […]

1898 – 1956 (December 3) Gerald Anthony Prior was born August 9, 1898 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania to William Prior and Elizabeth Gannon, and was baptized there August 14, 1898 at St. Aloysius Church. Pottstown. After completing secondary education at Belmont College, Belmont, North Carolina, Gerald did university studies for two years at St. Joseph College, […]

1887 – 1970 (June 16) Luke Michael Powers was born October 12, 1887 in Northampton, Massachusetts to Luke Powers and Bridget Burke. He was baptized October 15, 1887 in St. Mary’s Church there. Luke was received into the novitiate July 4, 1905 at Villanova, Pennsylvania, and professed simple temporary vows on July 5, 1906. He […]

1908 – 1978 (December 26) John M. Positano was born on May 6, 1908, in Freeland, PA, on of three sons and three daughters of Angelo Positano and Isabella DeFina. After graduating from high school John decided to dedicate himself to the study of music, mastering especially the clarinet. He soon developed a first-class band […]

1913 – 1989 (December 19) Mario Joseph “Paul” Porreca was born July 2, 1913 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of two sons and two daugheters of Domenic Porreca and Vincenza Luonghi. He was baptized on April 16, 1916, at Saint Rita and received his elementary education at Saint Rita, Philadelphia. He did his high school studies […]

1899 – 1993 (January 15) Richard Michael Plunkett was born on September 19, 1899 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of eight children of Michael R. Plunkett and Bridget A. Duffy. He was one of eight children. Richard was baptized in the church of Saint Agatha, Philadelphia on October 8, 1899 and attended the parish grammar school […]

1885 – 1947 (October 16) Bartholmew Pizzuto was born in Valletta, Malta, on August 24, 1885, where he entered the Order and was professed as a member of the Maltese Province on August 24, 1903. He was ordained on June 3, 1909, and left for America in December, 1920, with two other Maltese friars, Fathers […]