James J. McCarthy, O.S.A.

1873 – 1931 (August 20)

James Joseph McCarthy, son of Timothy McCarthy and Mary Burns, was born in Rutland, New York on June 6, 1873. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania, on September 19, 1895, and professed vows on September 19, 1896. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Ryan in the Cathedral of Philadelphia on September 23, 1899.

Father McCarthy was assigned to Saint James Parish, Carthage, N.Y., in September 1899, where he remained until June, 1901, when he was transferred to Saint Mary Parish, Waterford, also in New York. In July, 1903, he was appointed to Villanova College as Vice President. He returned to parish ministry with his assignment as rector of Saint Joseph Parish, Greenwich, in 1905, and later in December, 1910, to the same position at Saint Augustine in Lansingburgh. In 1910 he was also appointed a definitor of the Province. In 1922, Father McCarthy was name rector at Immaculate Conception Parish, Hoosick Falls, and remained there until his resignation in October, 1928. He then assumed the positions of prior and pastor at Saint Augustine, Troy.

Father McCarthy was 58 when he died on August 20, 1931 in Troy. He is buried at Saint Augustine's in Troy.
 

Edward J. McCarthy, O.S.A.

1912 – 1996 (April 8)

Edward James McCarthy, son of Edward McCarthy and Katherine Grimley, was born on April 1, 1912, in Troy, New York. He was baptized there on April 14, 1912, in the Church of St. Paul the Apostle. Following his early education in public schools, Edward entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, N.Y., as a postulant on September 1, 1925 and graduated in June, 1929. He was received into the novitiate on September 10, 1929, professed first vows on September 11, 1930, and solemn vows on September 11, 1933. In 1934, he earned his B.A. degree from Villanova College. He studied theology at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., and was ordained to the priesthood on June 15, 1937, by John M. McNamara, Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore, Md., in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

After ordination Father Edward McCarthy remained at Augustinian College as Sub-Master while completing a M.A. degree in history, which he earned in 1938, from Catholic University, Washington. In 1943, he received a Ph.D. in history from Catholic University. In 1940, Father McCarthy was assigned to Villanova College as a Professor of History. In 1946, he was appointed Dean and Professor of History at Universidad de S. Tomas de Villanueva, Havana, Cuba. In 1948, he returned to Villanova as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and later served as Dean of the Graduate School. In 1953, he returned to Villanueva in Havana, where he served as Regent of Studies until 1961, when foreign clergy were expelled from Cuba. From 1961 to 1968, he served as founding president of Biscayne College in Miami, Fla. Then, in 1968, he became Prior, Chairman of the History Department and Academic Vice President at Merrimack College in North Andover, Ma.

During his tenure as President of Villanova University from 1971 to 1975, he lived according to his stated principle, "My education goal is to make Villanova a good university both as an educational institution and as a Catholic institution. I see absolutely no conflict between the two." During student protests Father McCarthy made hard decisions. He offered students a forum for raising issues and then gave reasons for his policies. In doing so, he gained the students' respect. On one occasion he quipped, "I don't care what they say about me in the student newspaper as long as they use good English." Although, during most of his religious life Father McCarthy served the apostolate of higher education, he did minister also in several parishes of the Province: St. Augustine, Troy, N.Y.; Resurrection, Dania, Florida; St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Bronx, N.Y.; and St. Augustine, Casselberry, Florida.

While at Villanova he filled such posts as President, faculty member, Dean of Arts and Sciences, dormitory counselor, varsity baseball coach, and in 1981, he was appointed chairman of the Board of Trustees. Also, at that time he was elected assistant provincial and became a member of the Augustinian International Commission of Education in Rome. In 1993, in his 82nd year, at the request of Archbishop Edward Anthony McCarthy, of Miami, Father Ed McCarthy assumed the position of interim President of St. Thomas University in Miami, FL. One of his confreres stated, "Ed was frequently called upon to evaluate conditions on college campuses. In the midst of teaching and administration he found time to do research in his field of history and through publications of articles, he received esteem and fame in historical circles. A person with an engaging personality and a gift to speak on many subjects, Father Ed often acknowledged that it was his parents and sisters who taught him how to deal with and respect all people. 

Father McCarthy died on April 8, 1996, at St. Thomas Monastery, Villanova, Pa. at the age of 84. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, and interment took place at the Augustinian Cemetery on the campus of Villanova University, Villanova. Pa. 

Daniel J. McCarthy, O.S.A.

1909 – 1976 (November 11)

Daniel Joseph McCarthy, son of John McCarthy and Margaret Hart, was born in Andover, MA, on October 25, 1909, and was baptized there in the Church of Saint Augustine. He received his early education in Andover and entered the novitiate on the feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1926. Upon reception of simple vows on August 16, 1927, he began his college studies at Villanova and received his A.M. degree in June, 1931. He did theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, DC and was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1934, in Washington by Bishop John McNamara.

Eight months after his ordination, because he evidenced some psychiatric difficulty, Father McCarthy was admitted into Mount Hope, later known as The Seton Psychiatric Center, in Baltimore, MD. He was to remain there for 38 years. When The Seton Institute closed out its in-patient facility for psychiatric patients, Father Dan was transferred to Rosemont Manor, Rosemont, PA. He lived here for three and a half years until, on July 19, 1976, he was transferred to the Villa of Divine Providence, Lansdale, PA.

Father McCarthy died suddenly at the Villa on November 11, 1976. His Funeral Mass was celebrated at Saint Mary’s Hall Chapel, Villanova, after which he was buried in the Saint Mary’s community cemetery. Later his body was removed to Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.
 

Charles J. McCarron, O.S.A.

1899 – 1970 (October 21)

Charles J. McCarron, son of John McCarron and Mary Gibbons, was born in Philadelphia, PA. on April 16, 1899, and was baptized at Saint Monica Parish, South Philadelphia. He attended St. Leo Parochial School, Roman Catholic High School and Saint Joseph College before being received on June 27, 1920. He made his simple profession of vows on December 24, 1921, and graduated from Villanova College in June 1924. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 11, 1927 by Bishop Crane at the Philadelphia Cathedral.

Father McCarron's first assignment was as assistant pastor in Saint Mary's Church, Waterford, NY. He also served at Saint Clare's Church in Grosse Pointe, MI and at Our Mother of Consolation Church in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia.

He was a chaplain in the United States Army from July 1942 until 1946. For seventeen years Father served on the Augustinian Mission Band and in 1956 he was appointed prior and pastor of Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Hollywood, CA. He was then assigned as assistant pastor at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church, Atlantic City, NJ.

Father McCarron died at Rosemont Manor Nursing Home after several years of illness and blindness. At his Funeral Mass, Father Gerald McCarron of New Monmoouth, NJ, his nephew, preached. Father Charles McCarron was buried in Saint Mary Hall Cemetery, Villanova. Later, his remains were removed to Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.
 

Henry W. McArdle, O.S.A.

1919 – 1969 (February 4)

Henry William McArdle was born June 8, 1919 in Masontown, Pennsylvania to Edward McArdle and Mary Ellen Ahern. He received his elementary and secondary education at All Saints School, Masontown, and earned his high school diploma in 1936. After a year of post-graduate studies at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, he was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1937. He professed simple vows on September 10, 1938, and solemn vows on September 10, 1941. Henry earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1941, and then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D. C. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 1944. He did additional studies at Villanova College, at Catholic University of America, Washington, and at DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois.

Father McArdle was assigned to parish and school ministries in Cuba, where he remained for five years. He then served at several parishes in New York and Massachusetts. In 1953, he requested affiliation to the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, Chicago.

In 1953 he was assigned to Saint Rita High School, Chicago, where he served as teacher, disciplinarian and band moderator. In 1960 he became rector of Saint Joseph Mission House, Fort Wayne, Indiana, but returned to Saint Rita High School in 1962, and served as prior of the Augustinian community there.

In 1966 he was appointed superior of the Augustinian Missions in Peru, South America. Ill health caused him to return to the United States in 1967. He died February 4, 1969 and is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.

John T. McCall, O.S.A.

1907 – 1989 (February 11)

John Thomas McCall was born August 31, 1907 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, to Thomas McCall and Margaret Campion, and was baptized there in Saint Mary’s Church. John received his elementary education at local schools and began his high school education at Saint John Prep School, Danvers, Mass. He later transferred to Lawrence High School, in Lawrence, and graduated from Villanova Preparatory School, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1924. He entered the novitiate on June 25, 1924, and professed simple vows on June 26, 1925. He was solemnly professed on September 1, 1928. John earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, in 1928, and did his theological studies from 1928 to 1932 at St. Monica College, Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood on September 12, 1931 in Rome. In 1933 he received an M.A. in Sociology from Villanova College.

Father McCall’s first assignment was in 1932 to Villanova College, where he taught while taking courses toward his master’s degree. From 1935 to 1942 he was a teacher at Saint Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois. When the new Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel was formed in 1941, he was affiliated to that Province.

Father McCall was transferred in 1942 to Saint Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois. In 1943 he joined the U. S. Navy as a Chaplain, serving in that role until 1946. Upon discharge from the Navy, he returned to teach at Saint Rita High School. In 1950, while still at Saint Rita, he was elected Secretary of the Province. He returned to teach at Saint Thomas High School, Rockford, in 1952. In 1959 he was assigned to Cascia Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was a teacher and prior of the community. From 1962 to 1968 he was assistant pastor of Saint Rita Parish, Chicago, and prior of the community. At the conclusion of his term of office in 1968, he was transferred to Saint Mary Parish, Rockford, Il., where he was assistant pastor and prior. Father McCall was given reduced ministerial responsibilities, in 1977. He joined the community at Saint Monica Monastery, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and remained there until 1986, when he moved to Saint Rita Parish, Racine, Wisconsin.

While taking part in the Province retreat in Mundelein, Il., in June 1988, Father McCall suffered a severe stroke. He was disabled, and moved to Lincoln Village Convalescent Center, Racine. He died there February 11, 1989. He was 81.

In his early years, Father McCall was noted as an adventurous person who was not averse to taking risks. After his return from military service in 1946, he became somewhat reclusive and a voracious reader. He could venture into almost any area of discussion and hold his own. In his final days he was consoled by the daily attention of members of his community.

He is buried in Lawrence, Mass., at Saint Mary Cemetery.

John J. McCabe, O.S.A.

1890 – 1964 (July 27)

John Joseph McCabe, son of Thomas McCabe and Martha Warren, was born in Cambridge, New York, on June 28, 1890. He was baptized in Saint Patrick’s Church there on July 2nd of the same year. He entered Saint Rita's Hall in Villanova, Pennsylvania, as a postulant in November, 1907, and entered the novitiate there in June, 1911. He made his simple profession on June 22, 1912, and went to Italy to continue his studies for the priesthood. He was solemnly professed on June 25, 1912. The outbreak of World War I forced him to return to the United States, where, on May 26, 1917, he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Prendergast in the Cathedral of Philadelphia.

Father McCabe was first assigned to Saint Rita's Parish in Chicago, Illinois, where he served until 1935. During this time, he was very active in the organization and formation of the C.Y.O. From 1935 to 1937, he served as prior and pastor of Saint Augustine's in Lawrence, Massachusetts. In 1938 he was appointed prior of the novitiate at New Hamburg, New York, and in 1941 as prior of Saint Mary's Scholasticate at Villanova. From 1947, he assisted in the parish of Saint Joseph in Greenwich and from 1961, that of Saint John in Schagticoke, New York.
In December 1963, Father McCabe retired because of ill helath, and joined the community at Resurrection Parish in Dania, Florida. He died there on July 27, 1964 at the age of 74. His Funeral Mass was celebrated at Villanova by Prior Provincial James Donnellon, O.S.A. Father Robert Russell, O.S.A. was homilist. Father McCabe is buried at Villanova in the Community Cemetery.

Possidius McMahon, O.S.A.

1832 – 1882 (October 6)

Brother Possidius McMahon was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, to P. McMahon and Sarah Kelly on January 1, 1832. After immigrating to the United States, he sought admission to the Order and began his postulancy at Villanova on July 16, 1851. He received the habit of the Order on his 20th birthday in 1852.

Brother Possidius made his profession of vows on September 18, 1858 before Commissary General, Patrick Stanton. In 1862 he was sent for a time to Lansingburgh, New York, but later returned to Villanova.

Brother Possidius died at Villanova in the early afternoon of Friday, October 6, 1882 at the age of 50 and was buried three days later, on Monday, October 9th, in the original community cemetery of Villanova.

Charles G. McKenna, O.S.A.

1865 – 1935 (November 18)

Charles Gregory McKenna was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to James McKenna and Hanna Gallagher, on January 31, 1865, and was baptized at Saint James Church, West Philadelphia on February 5 of that year. The family later moved to Saint Denis Parish, Havertown, Pa, where Charles was confirmed on July 2, 1876, by Bishop Thomas Galberry, O.S.A. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania in May, 1890, and professed simple vows on May 4, 1891. He was solemnly professed on May 4, 1894, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 8, 1895 in the Philadelphia Cathedral by Archbishop Ryan.

Father McKenna served at Saint Mary's in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and later in New York State at Waterford, Mechanicville and Carthage.

Father McKenna died on November 18, 1935 at Saint Paul’s, Mechanicville, New York, at the age of 70. He is buried at Villanova in the Community Cemetery.
 

Brendan A. McConnell, O.S.A.

1902 – 1951 (December 28)

Brendan Aloysius McConnell, son of Frank McConnell and Anna Campbell, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 16, 1902. He attended Our Lady of Victory School and West Catholic High School, and then entered Saint Rita's Hall at Villanova, Pa. He entered the novitiate in 1924 and made his profession of simple vows on June 26, 1925. He was solemnly professed on June 26, 1928 and was ordained to the priesthood at the National Shrine, Washington, DC, on June 10, 1930 by Bishop John McNamara, after completing his studies at Saint Mary's Hall, Villanova and at Augustinian College, Washington.

Father McConnell's first assignment, in 1931, was as a teacher at Cascia Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma. The following year he was assigned as an assistant at Saint Augustine Pairsh, Detroit, Michigan. In 1934, he moved to Our Mother of Consolation Parish, Chestnut Hill, Pa., until he was transferred to Saint Augustine Parish, Troy, N.Y. in 1938, and then to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, the Bronx the following year. Five years later, Father McConnell was appointed to Saint John’s Parish, Schaghticoke, and in 1946, to Saint Paul, Mechanicville.

Serious illness forced Father McConnell to retire to the Villanova Monastery in 1947. He died in Philadelphia's Graduate Hospital on December 28, 1959 at the age of 49 of cancer. A Solemn Requiem Mass was offered on Monday, December 31 with Father James Donnellon, O.S.A., prior of the monastery, as celebrant, and Father William Lunney, O.S.A., as homilist. Father McConnell is buried at Villanova in the Community Cemetery.

Patrick J. Mayock, O.S.A.

1888 – 1922 (July 30)

Patrick J. Mayock, the son of Michael Mayock and Katherine Marrin, was born in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland on March 10, 1888. He entered the novitiate at Villanova in September, 1908, and was simply professed on September 18, 1909. He made his solemn profession of September 19, 1912, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 22, 1915 by Archbishop Prendergast in the Philadelphia Cathedral. The following day he celebrated his First Mass of Thanksgiving at Saint Monica’s Church, Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Two of his sisters became Discalced Carmelite Nuns.

After ordination, Father Mayock served on the missions in the Diocese of Albany, New York, at Saint James Parish, Carthage and Saint Paul, Mechanicville. Suffering from tuberculosis, he was placed in Gabriel’s Sanatorium, in Saranac Lake, New York, where he died on July 30, 1922 at the age of 34. He is buried at Villanova at the Community Cemetery.
 

Edward B. May, O.S.A.

1902 – 1953 (August 9)

Edward Bernard May, the son of Edward May and Ann Healy, was born at Olean, New York on July 7, 1902. He entered Saint Rita's Hall at Villanova, Pennsylvania, and was received into the novitiate there on June 25, 1924. He made his simple profession on June 26, 1925, and solemn profession on June 26, 1928. He received his A.B. degree from Villanova College in 1928 and, following theological studies, was ordained to the priesthood at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., by Bishop Thomas Shahan, on June 9, 1931.

Father May served in our parishes of San Agustin in Havana, Cuba; Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, Jamaica; Saint James, Carthage; and Saint Mary’s, Waterford in New York; Saint Thomas of Villanova, Rosemont, Pennsylvania; and at Saint Augustine, Lawrence, Massachusetts. He also taught at Villanova College and at Saint Rita's in Chicago, Illinois. From 1950 until the time of his death, he was a member of the Province Mission Band.

Father May was 51 when he died suddenly at the Villanova Monastery on Sunday, August 9, 1953. His Funeral Mass was celebrated at Villanova on Thursday, August 13th, by Father Charles Kropp, O.S.A. Father Stephen Lanen, O.S.A., rector of the Mission Band preached. Father May is buried at Villanova in the Community Cemetery.
 

Arthur B. Maxwell, O.S.A.

1890 – 1983 (October 6)

Arthur B. Maxwell was born in Manchester, England, on January 22, 1890, the son of James J. Maxwell and Ada Serpell. His parents immigrated to Lawrence, Massachusetts. It was there that the young Maxwell became acquainted with the Augustinians. OnJune 24, 1914 Arthur Maxwell was received into the Order. After novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania, he professed first vows on July 2, 1915. Three years and a day later, July 3, 1918, he professed final vows. After theological studies at Villanova he was ordained to the priesthood in Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, Philadelphia, by Cardinal Dennis Dougherty on June 10, 1922. During his years at Villanova Father Maxwell was an outstanding member of the choir. With Father Greenlee he was prefect of the resident students in Alumni Hall.

Father's first assignments (1923-1938) were in the new undertakings of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova: Saint Augustine High School, San Diego, California, and later Saint Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois. In San Diego, his first assignment, he was a founding member of the faculty of Saint Augustine High School From 1923 on, he taught English there with notable success and continued to teach the same subject with equal success when transferred to Saint Rita High School in Chicago. On returning to   the East in 1938 he taught English for one year at Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, Pennsylvania, before transferring to parish work at Saint Augustine Parish, Lawrence, Massachusetts. With the opening of Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, Father Maxwell returned to the teaching of English there in September of 1948, though his place of residence with accompanying pastoral assistance was for a short time at Saint Mary's Parish, Lawrence. Upon completion of the faculty residence, Our Mother of Good Counsel Monastery, at Merrimack College, Father Maxwell took up residence there in December 1948. He became prior of the monastery in 1956 and after serving for two successive terms, he retired in 1962.

In retirement he continued to live in the monastery at Merrimack College for many years but in a state of poor health. Crippling arthritis confined him to a wheelchair, but he insisted on doing whatever he could for himself. On October 6, 1983 Father Maxwell died. At the time of his death he was being cared for by the sisters of Mary Immaculate Nursing Home, Lawrence.
Father Maxwell's inner serenity, quiet affability, and continued interest in literature and in sports made him an agreeable companion to those with whom he lived. He was an exemplary priest and religious throughout his sixty-eight years as a member of the Province. After retirement from teaching he still continued to be available to many priest and laypersons for confession.

Father Maxwell is buried in the Augustinian plot at Saint Mary's Cemetery, Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Eugene A. Mauch, O.S.A.

1897 – 1968 (September 17)

Eugene A. Mauch was born in Philadelphia on October 22, 1897, the son of Jacob Mauch and Catherine Kueney. He received his primary education in Saint Francis de Sales Parochial School and attended Roman Catholic High School. After graduation, he was employed as a bookkeeper and spent a year and a half in the Navy after the close of World War I. He entered the Order at Corr Hall on the Villanova campus on February 2, 1921, and following his novitiate, made profession of simple vows on February 19, 1922. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Church of Saint Thomas of Villanova on August 29, 1926, by Denis Cardinal Dougherty, and spent the year after ordination in Washington, DC, where he was awarded an M.A. at the Catholic University of America.

The following year Father Mauch was assigned to Villanova College and later served for a short period as Dean of the School of Arts. In 1935, when the Province was invited to conduct a high school at Amarillo, Texas, he was sent to study the possibility and spent two years there before advising the Prior Provincial not to accept it. In July 1937, Father Mauch was appointed Rector of Saint Augustine's School in San Diego, California, and the following February he was named superior of the Augustinian community there.

Father Mauch took ill while in California and was forced to resign his position in July 1940 and return east. He was assigned to parish work in Greenwich, New York, for a short time, and having regained his health, was assigned in June 1942 to Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. During this period he served as chaplain to Bryn Mawr Hospital and spiritual advisor to the Catholic nurses at the Hospital.

In June 1946, Father Mauch was assigned as pastor and prior at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in the Bronx.  It was during his term as pastor that the Gothic-style upper church was completed and dedicated by Francis Cardinal Spellman.

Father Mauch was transferred as pastor to Saint Augustine's Church in Troy, New York, in June 1953. Three years later he was named pastor of the Church of Saint Denis in Havertown, Pennsylvania. Here he was instrumental in enlarging the parochial school and directed the construction of the new chapel to accommodate the needs of his people.

In 1962, Father Mauch was assigned as pastor of Saint Genevieve Parish in Flourtown, Pennsylvania. It was here that his health began to fail again, and after two years he resigned as pastor and was reassigned as an associate at Our Mother of Consolation Parish, Chestnut Hill. His condition gradually worsened and, in November 1967, he retired to the Villanova Monastery. Early in 1968 he was taken to Bryn Mawr Hospital, then briefly at Rosemont Manor Nursing Home until his death. He passed away early Tuesday morning, September 17, 1968. Internment in the Community Cemetery followed immediately after the Funeral Mass in Saint Mary's Hall Chapel.

Sylvester J. Martin, O.S.A.

1890 – 1954 (August 1)

Sylvester Joseph Martin, son of Harry Martin and Katherine Owings, was born in McSherrytown, Pennsylvania on February 13, 1890. He entered Saint Rita’s Hall, Villanova in 1910 and was accepted into the novitiate in June, 1914. He made his simple profession of vows on July 2, 1915 and solemn profession on July 3, 1918. Whiile a student at Villanova he taught biology in summer school at the College as well as while studying theology there himself. He was ordained to the priesthood by Denis Cardinal Dougherty in the Cathedral at Philadelphia on June 10, 1922.

After ordination, Father Martin  was assigned to teach at Saint Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois. In 1926, he was transferred to Villanova Prep in Ojai, California, and, in 1932, to Saint Mary’s Parish, Waterford, and later to Saint Paul’s Parish, Mechanicville, New York. Father Martin was appointed an assistant at Saint Rita Parish, Philadelphia in 1939, and remained there until his death on August 1, 1954 at the age of 64. He had been ailing with heart problems for some days when he succumbed.

Father Martin’s Funeral Mass was held at Saint Rita’s Church on Thursday, August 5th, with Father Joseph Dougherty, O.S.A., Prior Provincial, as celebrant and Father Paul Judson, O.S.A. as homilist. Archbishop John O’Hara of Philadelphia and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph McShea were both in attendance. 

Father Martin is buried at Villanova in the Community Cemetery.
 

John B. Martin, O.S.A.

1896 – 1955 (September 1)

John B. Martin, son of James Martin and Maria Slaughter, was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on November 29, 1896 and was baptized there in the Church of Saint Laurence O’Toole. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania on June 23, 1916, and professed simple vows on June 24, 1917. He was solemnly professed on June 27, 1920, and was ordained to the priesthood at Villanova by Bishop Crane on September 23, 1923.

The following year Father Martin was assigned to Colegio San Agustin in Havana, Cuba, and then at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish on Staten Island, New York. From 1932 to 1938, he was a member of the Province Mission Band. In 1938, he returned to Cuba where he served at prior and rector of San Agustin. In 1941, he was named prior and pastor of Saint James Parish, Carthage; in 1944, of Immaculate Conception Parish, Hoosick Falls; and in 1947, of Saint Mary’s, Lawrence. In 1950, Father Martin was assigned as prior and pastor of Saint John, Schaghticoke in New York, and in 1953, of Saint Augustine's in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

While on a call to visit a sick parishioner at Worcester Hospital, Father Martin died suddenly of a heart attack in the vestibule of the hospital on September 1, 1955 at the age of 59. His Funeral Mass was celebrated at Saint Augustine Parish, Lawrence, Father Patrick Campbell, O.S.A. on September 5th. Father James Hurley, O.S.A. was the eulogist. Father Martin is buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Lawrence.
 

William A. Marsden, O.S.A.

1853 – 1883 (February 17)

William Augustine Marsden, son of Laurence Marsden and Helen Duckett, was born in Clitheroe, England, on December 8, 1853. His two older brothers, Charles and John, were also members of our Province. In 1858, at the age of six, he immigrated to the United States with his siblings and his mother, settling in Lansingburgh, New York, where, presumably, their father had preceded them. Following his early education, William entered Villanova in 1872, and began his novitiate there in 1873. He made his first profession on January 25, 1874, just weeks after the first Provincial Chapter had been held. He was solemnly professed on January 26, 1877, and was ordained to the priesthood on July 14, 1877, by Bishop Shanahan of Harrisburg, PA. A little more than two months later, his oldest brother, Father Charles Marsden, passed away at the age of 31.

In 1878 Father William was a member of the Villanova Monastery community. He was one of the friars present, together with his brother, John, at the funeral of Bishop Galberry in Hartford, Connecticut, in October, 1878. A year later, in October 1879, his second brother, Father John Marsden, passed away at the age of 28. In June 1881, Father William was sent temporarily, to replace Father Filippo Izzo in Mechanicville. In July, however, he was sent to Cambridge, N.Y. to serve as rector of Saint Patrick’s Parish. The following year he was named prior as well.

Father William Marsden died at Saint Patrick’s Parish on February 17, 1883, at the age of 29. The Funeral Mass was celebrated there on February 20th in the presence of Bishop Francis McNeirny, bishop of Albany. Father Arthur McCranor preached the homily. That same day the body was taken to Lawrence, Massachusetts where a Solemn Requiem Mass was offered by Father Francis Rowan, O.S.A. with burial following in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lawrence. Both Father Marsden’s mother and sister traveled to Lawrence for the burial. 

When Saint Patrick's Church in Cambridge was rededicated on Sunday, June 14, 1885, during the pastorate of Fr. McCranor, Father William was memorialized in the window dedicated to Saint Augustine. 

John Marsden, O.S.A.

1851 – 1879 (October 2)

John Marsden, one of three sons of Laurence Marsden and Helen Duckett, all of whom became members of the American Province, was born on September 23, 1851 in Clitheroe, England, and was baptized there in the local Catholic Church five days later. Following the completion of studies at the Latin School in Troy, he was enrolled at Villanova in 1869 and began his novitiate on January 23, 1870. John made his first profession on January 21, 1871, and his solemn profession on January 25, 1874. He continued his studies at Villanova and in April, 1874, was appointed "dean of the novitiate.” John was ordained to the priesthood on March 7, 1875, with his novitiate classmate, Peter C. McGovern, and a diocesan priest, by Bishop Martin Crane, O.S.A. of Sandhurst, Australia, at St. Augustine's Church in Philadelphia. He celebrated his First Mass there with his brothers, Charles as deacon, and William as sub-deacon.

Father John's only assignment was to St. Mary's Parish in Lawrence. In April, 1875, he was appointed director of the choir. In July, 1876, he directed the combined choirs of three churches in the city cared for by the Augustinians, St. Mary, Immaculate Conception, and St. Laurence O'Toole, for the funeral of Father Ambrose Mullen, O.S.A., rector of St. Augustine's Parish in Andover. On Christmas morning, 1876, Saint Mary's witnessed the rare celebration of a Solemn High Mass celebrated by the three Marsden brothers, with John as celebrant, Charles as deacon and William as sub-deacon. 

During the six month absence of Saint Mary’s pastor, from July to December, 1878, Father John served as parish administrator. It was during this period that his illness first became evident. In January, 1879 he went to Jacksonville, Florida on the advice of his physician, where he remained until May when he returned to Philadelphia, somewhat improved. He returned to Lawrence in July. After a few weeks he seemed much better but he suffered a hemorrhage in September. Father Gilmore, the pastor, had the sad duty to inform him, as he had his brother Charles two years previously, that the end was near. Father John was resigned, and asked for the sacraments, which Father Gilmore administered at 8 o'clock Sunday evening, September 28th, at the same hour, same day of the week and on the vigil of the same feast, that of the Seven Sorrows, that he had administered them to his brother Charles. 

He died at St. Mary’s at 8am on Thursday, October 2, 1879 at 29 years of age. The cause was consumption. A Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, October 7th, with about 50 clergy present. Father Pacifico Neno, Prior Provincial, led the recitation of the Office of the Dead, and was celebrant of the Mass. At the end of the Mass the sermon was given by Father Henry A. Fleming, O.S.A. of St. Augustine, Philadelphia, a good friend and novitiate classmate of Father John, who had spent several weeks with him at the beginning of his illness. In his homily, he spoke of him as “a good and holy priest, and a devoted and zealous son of St. Augustine; pious, earnest and unselfish to a remarkable degree.”

Father John Marsden is buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Lawrence.

Charles A. Marsden, O.S.A.

1845 – 1877 (September 23)

Charles Augustine Marsden, one of three brothers who were members of the American Province, was born in Clitheroe, England, on September 29, 1845, the son of Laurence Marsden and Helen Duckett. In 1858, at the age of 12 he emigrated with his mother, brothers and sister to the United States, and settled at Lansingburgh, New York. Charles entered the seminary in Lansingburgh under the Christian Brothers, and completing his course there, entered Villanova College in 1865, the year that Villanova re-opened with regular classes after a suspension of more than 7 years.    He was admitted to the novitiate on January 5, 1866 and was simply professed on January 19, 1867,  and solemnly professed on January 20, 1870. He was ordained to the priesthood on January 30, 1870 by Bishop Becker of Wilmington, Deleware, at Saint Augustine’s Church, Philadelphia, and was naturalized the following October. 

Father Charles Marsden taught rhetoric at Villanova from 1870 to 1875. When the Dramatic Society was begun on campus in November, 1870, he was its president. He was a popular preacher and lecturer both on and off campus, and authored a serial in the Catholic Standard of Philadelphia – Ben Sterne a story of modern times, which ran from March to July, 1874. In August, 1875, he was assigned to Saint Mary’s, Lawrence, as assistant to Father John P. Gilmore, O.S.A., and was put in charge of the Methuen mission. 

On Christmas, 1876, the first masses were celebrated in the town hall of Methuen. The three Marsden brothers, Charles, John and William celebrated together the Solemn High Mass that morning. The following September, Father Charles was taken suddenly ill. The doctor who was called did not consider the case serious and left him rather comfortable. The following day his illness gradually increased and in the evening the attending physicians decided that he was past all hope of recovery. Father Gilmore was informed and he related the news to Father Marsden who was perfectly resigned, asking that the last rites be administered to him. At 5:30, Sunday morning, the 23rd of September, while fully alert, he died at the age of 32. As a sign of respect, no sermons were preached or music played in any of the Catholic churches in Lawrence on that Sunday.

The funeral took place on Wednesday, September 26th. The church was filled with hundreds waiting outside. 70 members of the clergy were present, including Bishop Galberry of Hartford. Father Delahunty of Boston Highlands was celebrant. After Mass Rev. Richard J. Barry of West Roxbury, preached the funeral oration. Bishop Galberry gave the absolution. Burial took place in the Augustinian Plot of Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Lawrence.

A parishioner of Saint Mary’s described Father Charles as universally endeared to all who knew him, gentle, lively and vivacious, courteous and genial. In his eulogy, Father Barry suggested that “all who knew him will bear witness to the single heartedness and disinterestedness of his zeal; all will testify to the willingness and readiness with which he performed a good work. He was indeed a faithful servant of God; a true priest of Jesus Christ; a devoted follower of his chief, the great St. Augustine.”

Peter J. Marron, O.S.A.

1907 – 1998 (March 1)

Peter Joseph Marron was born in County Caven, Ireland in 1907, the son of Thomas Marron and Margaret Markey. He immigrated through Ellis Island in 1923 with his sister, Margaret Marron. Working at odd jobs he saved enough money to attend Augustinian Academy on Staten Island, New York, and graduated at the age of twenty-one. He entered the novitiate in 1928, made simple profession of vows on September 10, 1929, and graduated from Villanova College in 1933. After completing theological studies at Augustinian College in Washington, DC he was ordained in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on June 9, 1936, and celebrated his first Solemn High Mass at Nativity Church in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Father Marron’s first assignment was teaching English, general science, and religion at Saint Rita High School, Chicago, IL., from 1937 to 1941. He served as an assistant pastor in Saint Mary's Church, Rockford, IL., from 1941 to 1945.

At the end of World War II his request to become a Navy chaplain was approved accepted. He served on board ship and in Navy bases all over the world including Korea during the Korean War. He retired with the rank of Commander in 1969 and joined the formation community at Cole Street in San Francisco, CA. In 1970 he was assigned to St. Patrick's Church in San Diego as associate pastor.

Father Marron retired to the Saint Augustine High School monastery in 1975. For the next eighteen years he was a familiar figure at Saints. He assisted at parishes in San Diego until he suffered a stroke in 1993. That began his decline in health leading to his death at ninety-one as the then oldest Augustinian in the United States, on March 1, 1998. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Friday, March 6, at Saint Patrick Church, San Diego, after which burial took place at Holy Cross Cemetery.