Patrick E. Moynihan, O.S.A.

1876 – 1940 (November 13)

Patrick Edward Moynihan, the son of Timothy Moynihan and Lucy Sullivan, was born in Hoosick Falls, New York on July 24, 1876, and was baptized in Immaculate Conception Church there on July27, 1876. He studied at Union School, Hoosick Falls, and then at Villanova. He entered the novitiate at Villanova on May 4, 1896, and was professed on May 4, 1897. Solemn Profession followed on June 7, 1900. Following studies, he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Edmund Prendergast at Villanova on January 19, 1901.
 
After ordination, Father Moynihan was assigned to San Agustin, Havana, Cuba where he served for 25 years. In 1906 he was named rector and prior there. In 1926, he became prior and pastor of our new foundation, also named San Agustin, at Mariano, Cuba, and remained there until he was transferred in 1934 to Saint Mary's Parish in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where he served until his death.
 
Father Moynihan was 64 when he died on November 13, 1940 in Lawrence. Requiem Masses were offered in Lawrence and at Hoosick Falls. He was buried in the Augustinian section of Saint John’s Cemetery, Troy, New York.
 

John A. Motley, O.S.A.

1885 – 1915 (March 7)

John Aloysius Motley, son of James Motley and Catherine Moore, was born on September 22, 1885, in the Village of Peely, Luz County, Pennsylvania, and baptized five days later, in the church of Saint Charles Borromeo, in the diocese of Scranton, Pa. As a young boy John worked as a coal breaker. At the age of fifteen his life took a dramatic turn when he attended a Mission preached by Father Michael Ryan, O.S.A., who counseled him to enter the seminary. After three years at Villanova Preparatory School, John began his novitiate on July 6, 1908. He professed first vows on July 7, 1909, and studied philosophy and theology in Rome, where he professed solemn vows on July 24, 1912. On July 29, 1914, he was ordained to the priesthood by the Cardinal Vicar of Rome, and celebrated his first Mass at the tomb of St. Monica in the Church of St. Augustine.

Six months before his ordination John became seriously ill with migraine headaches. After ordination, Father Motley returned to Villanova, Pa., and prepared to preach his first sermon at the start of a Lenten series at Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish. The pastor, Father Matthew Corcoran, O.S.A., suggested as the theme: "God's Mercy Toward the Sinner," and announced on Sunday before Ash Wednesday that the Lenten series would begin on Tuesday night. Later that same Sunday, March 7, 1915, Father John Motley died in St. Agnes Hospital, Philadelphia, while in surgery for an infected mastoid. When the parishioners arrived in church on Tuesday night, Father Motley's body lay on a catafalque. Father Corcoran walked slowly to the altar rail at the time for the sermon. His voice, broken with sorrow, explained, 'The priest who was appointed to preach to you this evening is he who lies dead before us. Not in the manner he had planned, but in a far more earnest manner, he is here preaching to you on the death of the Christian. Hear him.” Father John preached his first, his only sermon. He was thirty years of age.

Father John Motley was survived by his parents and many siblings. He was buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova on March 10, 1915. 

William J. Morrison, O.S.A.

1857 – 1919 (January 30)

William Joseph Morrison, son of Patrick Morrison and Hannah Devitt, was born in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, on May 6, 1857. He entered the novitiate at Villanova on January 26, 1877, and professed simple vows on September 26, 1878 and solemn vows on October 4, 1881. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Shanahan of Harrisburg, at Villanova, in the gymnasium church, on November 13, 1881.
Father Morrison devoted the years of his priestly apostolate to the parishes of the province. In 1881 he was assigned to Saint Mary's, Lawrence, MA. In 1887 he was appointed pastor of Saint Patrick, Cambridge, and three years later returned briefly to Lawrence and then to Philadelphia, before being assigned in 1891 to Saint Augustine, Lansingburgh, New York. He was named rector of Saint James Parish, Carthage, in 1894, and in 1898 returned to Saint Augustine Parish, Philadelphia. 

Father Morrison was appointed to Saint Augustine, Andover, in 1905, to Saint Augustine, Lansingburgh in 1908, and to Our Lady of Good Counsel, Staten Island, in 1911. A pastor well-loved by the many parishioners he served, he was particularly well thought of in Troy, as his transfer in 1911 evoked a signed petition to the provincial by hundreds of individuals requesting his continued service there.
Father Morrison died at Saint Agnes Hospital, Philadelphia, on January 30, 1919, at the age of 62. His Requiem Mass was offered at Saint Augustine Church on February 3, 1919, after which he was interred there in the vault of the church.

Patrick E. Moriarty, O.S.A.

1805 – 1875 (July 10)

Patrick Eugene Moriarty was born in Ireland in 1805. He studied there at Carlow College and later in Italy, where he was ordained in Rome in 1828.

Father Moriarty spent a short time in Ireland after ordination, after which he went to the newly established Vicariate of Madras, India. There he served as Chaplain to the General Hospital Garrison at Fort Saint George, and thus was the first Catholic chaplain to be recognized by the British Government since the Reformation. Between 1832 and 1834, Father Moriarty served as a military chaplain in Libson, Portugal. After refusing an Indian Bishopric, he volunteered for assignments in the United States, where he arrived in July 1839. He served as prior and pastor of Saint Augustine's in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and also as Commissary-General three times. Before beginning his missionary activities in the United States, he was granted a Doctorate of Divinity by Pope Gregory XVI.

During his first assignment in the United States, Father Moriarty attended the IV and V Baltimore Councils and also earned wide spread fame as a great orator and lecturer. He spoke at the cornerstone laying, dedication and blessing of such churches as Saint Mary's Lawrence, Massachusetts; the Cathedral in Charlestown, South Carolina; and in Pennsylvania at Saint Mary's in Phoenixville, Saint Michael's in Chester, and Saint Philip Neri in Philadelphia.

In 1841, he and Father Kyle negotiated the purchase of the Belle-Aire Estate, and made possible the establishment of a parish in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. Later he served as the first pastor of Saint Augustine Parish in Lansingburg, New York. He wrote a "Life of Saint Augustine," and delivered his last lecture in the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.

In 1847, Father Moriarty went to Rome where he was appointed Assistant-General. He returned to the United States in 1850 to continue his activities for the new Commissary Province. He served as President of Villanova College from 1851 to 1855.

Father Moriarty was 70 when he died on July 10, 1875 at Villanova. He is buried at Saint Augustine's in Philadelphia. Bishop Quinlan of Mobile, Alabama preached the eulogy. In a biographical sketch of Father Moriarty the Catholic Annual stated: "There is not a man, woman or child where Dr. Moriarty is known who does not venerate his name and deplore his loss."

Moriarty Hall, a dormitory on the Villanova University campus, is named in his honor.
 

Joseph T. Moriarty, O.S.A.

1863 – 1905 (June 21)

Joseph Thomas Moriarty, son of Eugene and Margaret Moriarty, was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on April 24, 1863. He was baptized the following day at Immaculate Conception Church in that city. He entered the novitiate at Villanova in 1882, but left in June due to illness. The following January he returned, healed of his infirmity, and began his second novitiate on February 2nd. He professed simple vows on February 3, 1884, and pursued studies at Villanova, while also serving for a time as disciplinarian. He made his solemn profession on February 6, 1887, and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Patrick Ryan in the Philadelphia Cathedral on Pentecost Sunday, May 29, 1887. 

Following ordination, Father Moriarty assisted at the mission church in Bryn Mawr until November 3rd when he was assigned to Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish, Waterford, New York. In May, 1890, he was transferred to Villanova and placed in charge of Bryn Mawr. In August, 1891, he was assigned to Carthage, N.Y., and in July, 1894, to Schaghticoke. Four years later he returned to Carthage where he spent an additional year. In December, 1899, Father Moriarty was assigned to Our Mother of Consolation Church, Chestnut Hill, PA., until December, 1900, when he was moved to Mechanicville, N.Y. 

Father Moriarty was 42 when he died at Mechanicville on Wednesday, June 21, 1905, after a prolonged illness. He is buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery in Lawrence, Massachusetts. A week later, his widowed mother passed away.
 

George R. Morgan, O.S.A.

1939 – 2009 (January 5)

George Robert Morgan was born on August 19, 1939, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the son of George W. Morgan and Mary G. Noonan. He had two brothers and four sisters. He was baptized on September 7, 1939 at Saint Raphael Church, West Medford, Mass, and attended Saint Mary Parish School, Winchester, Mass. from 1945 to 1953, and Matignon High School, Cambridge, Mass. from 1953 to 1957. He then enrolled in Merrimack College, North Andover, Mass., where he obtained a BS degree. He was received into the Order as a novice on September 9, 1961, and following the year at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, NewYork, he professed simple vows on September 10, 1962. He spent a year at Villanova University, completing his course work in Philosophy, and in 1963 began theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, DC. He professed solemn vows on September 10, 1965, and obtained his MA degree in 1967. He was ordained to the priesthood on November 19, 1966, at the Chapel of Christ the Teacher, Merrimack College, by Richard Cardinal Cushing, Archbishop of Boston.

Father Morgan was first assigned to Austin Preparatory School, Reading, Mass., where he taught from 1967 to 1969 and from 1970 to 1976. From 1969 to 1970 he had been assigned to Saint Joseph Friary as a teacher at Msgr. Bonner High School, Drexel Hill, Pa. In 1976 he was assigned to retreat ministry at Mount Augustine Retreat House, Staten Island, N.Y. for one year, and the following year served as associate pastor at Saint Augustine Parish, Tower Hill, Lawrence, Mass. From 1978 to 1981, he was assigned to Our Mother of Good Counsel Monastery and Merrimack College, North Andover, Mass., where he taught. In 1981 he spent a sabbatical year at Mundelein College, Chicago, Illinois. From 1982 to 1986 he was assigned to the Casa San Lorenzo, Miami, Florida, and taught at Biscayne College. In 1986 he returned to Massachusetts where he was assigned consecutively, as associate at Saint Augustine Parish, Andover, Mass., chaplain for Lawrence General Hospital, and as associate at Saint Augustine Parish, Lawrence. In 1996 he returned to Saint Augustine, Andover, and began to work for Merrimack College in Alumni Relations.

As Director of Campus Ministry at Merrimack College he expanded the liturgical life of the campus. As Director of Alumni he brought the Augustinian mission of care and compassion to the office and its programs. For thousands of Merrimack College's alumni, Father Morgan embodied the college's Catholic identity and Augustinian heritage. He worked for years with faculty to bring Catholic social teaching and moral theology into the curriculum and classroom. He was also an important part of the college's musical heritage, from his long involvement with the Alumni Chorale, to his central role in the 1989 pilgrimage of the College Chorale to Rome and an audience with Pope John Paul II, to his constant support of good liturgical music at many college celebrations.

After a long and difficult illness with a brain tumor, Father George passed over to the Lord on January 5, 2009, at Holy Family Hospital, Methuen, MA. He was 69 years old. 

Joseph A. Moran, O.S.A.

1866 – 1916 (September 25)

Joseph Aloysius Moran, son of John Moran and Catherine Lyons, was born in Washington, D. C., on August 15, 1866, and was baptized at St. Patrick Church, Washington. He attended school in Ottawa, Canada, at St. Joseph College and in Ellicott City at St. Charles College. He then attended St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore. 

From January, 1895 until June, 1896, he taught at Jefferson College in Louisiana and at Gonzaga College, Washington, and was a reporter for a D.C. newspaper. For a short time, at the end of 1896, he taught at Villanova, but on February 2, 1897, he entered the novitiate there, and professed simple vows on February 3, 1898. He made his solemn profession on May 29, 1901 and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Patrick Ryan at St. Charles Seminary, Overbrook, on June 1, 1901.
From July, 1901 until July, 1905, Father Moran served at Saint Mary's, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Saint Mary's, Waterford, New York and at Our Mother of Consolation, Chestnut Hill. On July 4, 1905, he was appointed Vice President at Villanova College and taught elocution in the preparatory school there. The following year he became editor and manager of Good Counsel Magazine, positions he held until June, 1908.

In 1911, Father Moran was assigned to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in the Bronx and the following year to Augustinian Academy, Staten Island. In July, 1914, he was assigned to El Cristo Parish in Havana, Cuba, but returned to Villanova in November, 1915 in ill health.

Father Moran died at Villanova on September 25, 1916 at the age of 50. Father Nicholas Murphy, Prior Provincial, was celebrant and preacher at the Requiem Mass, after which burial took place in the Community Cemetery at Villanova.
 

Edward A. Moran, O.S.A.

1902 – 1962 (December 18)

Edward A. Moran was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 30, 1902, to Patrick Moran and Mary Conway, and was baptized in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in the city. He attended Mt. Carmel Grammar School and Villanova Prep at Saint Rita’s hall, and in June, 1924, was accepted into the novitiate. He made his simple profession of vows on December 23, 1925 and his solemn vows on the same day in 1928. After completing studies at Saint Mary's Hall, Villanova, in 1928, and at Augustinian College in Washington, DC, he was ordained to the priesthood in the National Shrine in Washington on June 9, 1931, by Bishop Thomas Sheehan. He completed his M.A. at the Catholic University in 1932.

From 1931 to 1935, Father Moran assisted at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Staten Island, NY. He then spent one year in Saint Matthew's Parish, Flint, MI. From 1936 to 1958, he served as an assistant pastor at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, Atlantic City, New Jersey. During these 22 years, he was chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, chaplain at Atlantic City Hospital, and taught for 12 years in the School of Nursing.

In August 1958, Father Moran was appointed vicar-prior and pastor at Saint Joseph Parish, Greenwich, N.Y. At the Chapter of 1959 and 1962, he was named prior and pastor of Our Mother of Consolation Parish, Chestnut Hill, PA.

Father Moran died in Chestnut Hill Hospital of pancreatitis on December 18, 1962 at the age of 60. Prior Provincial, James Donnellon, O.S.A. celebrated his Funeral Mass on December 21, Father Henry Caffrey, O.S.A. was homilist at the Mass. Father Moran is buried at Villanova in the community cemetery.
 

Ralph J. Monteiro, O.S.A.

1940 – 2014 (May 20)

Ralph John Monteiro was born on June 24, 1940, in the Bronx, New York, one of two sons of Ralph F. Monteiro and Amelia E. Kupezynski. He attended Public School 59 from 1945 to 1948, and Our Savior's Parish School, from 1948 to 1953. He then enrolled in Cardinal Hayes High School, also in the Bronx. Ralph was a postulant at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, N.Y, from 1957 to 1958, and then entered the Order as a novice on September 9, 1958 at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, N.Y., He professed simple vows on September 10, 1959 and began studies at Villanova University, from which he received a BA in Philosophy in 1963. He pursued theology studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. during the period 1963 to 1967, and received an MA degree. In 1968 he received an MS in library science from Villanova University. He professed solemn vows on September 10, 1962, and was ordained to the priesthood on November 19, 1966, at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church, Bronx, New York, by Archbishop John McGuire.

Father Ralph was assigned in 1967 to St. Joseph Friary and Msgr. Bonner High School, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, where he taught and was assistant librarian. In 1969 he was assigned to St. John of Sahagun Friary and Archbishop Carroll High School, Washington, DC, where he held the same responsibilities. From 1970 to 1971 he was adult services librarian in Maryland’s Prince George's County public library system. From 1972 to 1973 he was assigned to Saint Augustine Friary, Malvern, Pennsylvania and was librarian at Malvern Preparatory School. He then served. From 1973 to 1975 at the Christian Brothers' Retreat House, Adamstown, Maryland, as chaplain and youth retreat director. After a brief assignment to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Atlantic City, New Jersey, he served as Chaplain at Rosemont College and resided at the Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish Friary, Rosemont, Pa. From 1976 to 1977, he returned to parish ministry at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church, Atlantic City, New Jersey. He then served as associate pastor at Our Mother of Consolation Parish, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (1977-1980). In 1980 he pursued continuing education at Madonna House, Combermere, Ontario, Canada. From 1980 to 1985 he was assigned to Saint Joseph Frairy, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, and worked in retreat and preaching ministry. Beginning in 1985 he served in the Diocese of Santa Rosa, California, at the Mission of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Hoopa, California, as the parish administrator and diocesan liaison for Native American ministry. From 2000 to 2003 he volunteered in the AIDS Resource Center, San Francisco, California. In 2004 he was assigned to Saint Augustine Friary, Villanova, and in 2008 to Saint Thomas Monastery, and served as a preacher and fund raiser for the relief organization, Food For The Poor. 

He died in St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 following a brief illness. His funeral Mass was celebrated on the evening of May 27 at St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the campus of Villanova University. Fr. Mickey Genovese, O.S.A., prior provincial, was the celebrant. The homily was preached by Fr. Paul Morrissey, O.S.A. Fr. Monteiro is buried at Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken, Pa. 

Alfred J. Monte, O.S.A.

1914 – 1996 (March 7)

Alfred John Monte, son of Domenic Monte and Almerinda Mincarelli, was born on May 1, 1914, in Saint Rita Parish, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was baptized on June 10, 1914. In 1928, after graduation from Saint Rita Parochial School, he entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York. On September 9, 1932, he began his novitiate in New Hamburg, New York, professed simple vows on September 11, 1933, and made solemn profession in 1936. He studied at Villanova College and earned a BA degree in 1937, after which he pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained to the priesthood there on June 10, 1940, in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

In 1941, after Father Monte earned a master's degree in romance languages from The Catholic University of America, he volunteered to join the Augustinians in the Philippine Islands where he taught at Saint Augustine University in Illoilo. On April 13, 1942, shortly after the Japanese attacked the Philippines, Father Monte, and three other friars of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, Fathers Henry C. Carr, John V. Casey and Leo McCarthy, were imprisoned in Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila together with other priests, religious and lay people, totaling about four thousand American, British, and other Allied civilians. Father Monte taught Spanish and Religion to prisoners and tended to the spiritual and physical needs of those who were close to death. So that they might offer Mass, priests in the camp made wine from raisins they received from the Red Cross.

In May, 1945, Father Monte returned to the United States and was assigned to Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, California, where he taught Religion and Spanish until 1954. He then was assigned to Monsignor Bonner High School, Drexel Hill, Pa., where he taught Latin and Spanish. For five years he was also the school disciplinarian and founded and coached the rifle team. His teaching career continued at Austin Preparatory School, Reading, Ma., from 1963 to 1965, and then at Archbishop Carroll High School, Washington, D.C. From 1968 to 1974, Father Monte was prior and pastor at the Church of the Assumption, Mechanicville, New York, and then, from 1974 to 1980, served at Saint John the Baptist Parish, Schaghticoke, New York. 

In 1980, Father Monte was assigned to Our Mother of Consolation Church, Chestnut Hill, Pa., where he began his retirement in 1994. Father Al who was known as “Freddie” to family and friends, was well respected because of his generosity and religious dedication. He and his sister Philomena, a member of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart, were great friends who mutually supported their respective vocations to the religious life. Father Al became an avid golfer, enjoyed reading, operas, worked crossword puzzles, collected images of owls and made rugs - vibrant colored chenilles. A classmate spoke of him, saying, "I have seen him say Mass in the cold and hunger and desolation and unbelievable suffering of a concentration camp. But his priesthood was the pearl of great price that not even the squalor of a prison could tarnish."

He died on March 7, 1996, and on March 12th the Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Mother of Consolation Church, Chestnut Hill, Pa. Burial took place the following day in the Augustinian section of Calvary Cemetery, Conshohocken, Pa. 

Emile H. Misson, O.S.A.

1893 – 1973 (January 27)

Emile Hernandez Misson, son of Emile J. Misson and Anna Hernandez, was born in New York City on June 24, 1893. At the age of four his family moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he received his primary education in the public schools. In September 1908, he enrolled at the Augustinian Preparatory Scholasticate, Saint Rita Hall, Villanova, and was received as a novice on June 20, 1912. He professed simple vows on June 20, 1913 and solemn vows on June 23, 1916. Following his philosophical studies at Villanova, he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1916. Upon completion of his theological training he was ordained to the priesthood at Saint Charles Seminary, Overbrook, on June 8, 1919, and offered his first Mass at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church, Atlantic City.

Father Mission's entire priestly life was devoted to the parochial apostolate. His first assignment, in 1919, was to Saint Paul Parish, Mechanicville, New York, followed by appointments to Saint James Church, Carthage, N.Y. from 1919 to 1920; Saint Mary's, Lawrence, Massachusetts, from 1920 to 1927. He returned to Saint Paul, Mechanicville for two more years, and then was assigned to Immaculate Conception, Hoosick Falls, N.Y., until 1932. The next seven years were spent at Our Mother of Good Counsel, Bryn Mawr, and in 1939, he was transferred to Our Lady of Good Counsel, Staten Island, where he remained until a new assignment came to Saint Mary's Lawrence in 1947. From 1955 to 1959, he was assistant at Saint Thomas of Villanova, Rosemont, Pa., where he was also elected prior in 1956. He became prior of Saint Augustine community, Marianao, Cuba in 1959, and in 1961 was appointed to Our Lady of Angels, Jacksonville, Florida. For the third time he returned to Saint Mary's, Lawrence, where he remained until 1966 when he retired to Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova.

Father Mission cherished a deep devotion to Our Lady and led many pilgrimages to various Marian shrines. He loved all sports and delighted in organizing and managing athletic programs for the youth of our parishes. Though a slow learner, he was graced with a retentive memory. He was a stickler for rubrics, he thoroughly believed in the right way of doing things. Persistent sickness dictated his taking residence at Rosemont Manor where he died on January 27, 1973, at the age of 79.

Father Mission is buried in the Augustinian plot and Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pa.
 

Mariano G. Milanese, O.S.A.

1880 – 1952 (September 26)

Mariano G. Milanese was baron in Cervinara, Benevento, Italy, on January 1, 1880, to Giuseppe Milanese and Maria Marro. He entered the Order on March 15, 1896, and made his profession of vows as a member of the Congregation of San Giovanni a Carbonara on March 19, 1897. He was solemnly professed in 1902, and was ordained to the priesthood in Naples at Villa Driscoll on August 15, 1902, by Bishop Ernesto Angiulli.

That same December, Father Milanese emigrated to the United States and served the Italian members of Saint Laurence's Parish in Lawrence, Massachusetts. When Holy Rosary parish was founded, he became its first pastor, and he remained there after it was transferred to the care of the American Province. From 1922 until 1926 he was also prior of the community. He was affiliated to the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova and served as Pastor at Holy Rosary until 1937.

From 1937 until 1952, he lived in retirement at Villanova, Pennsylvania. He had been sick for many years when he died in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 26, 1952 at the age of 72. Office of the Dead was celebrated at Villanova on Wednesday, October 1, 1952, followed by a Requiem Mass offered by the Prior Provincial, Father Joseph Dougherty, O.S.A. Father Peter Paul, O.S.A. preached. The Prior General, Father Joseph Hickey, O.S.A. and the Prior Provincial of the Midwest Province, Father Clement McHale, O.S.A. were also in attendance.

Father Milanese is buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova.

Thomas C. Middleton, O.S.A.

1842 – 1923 (November 19)

Thomas Cooke Middleton was born in Chestnut Hill, PA, on March 30, 1842, the eldest of nine children of Joseph Middleton and Lydia Cooke, a colonial Quaker family. He was baptized at the age of 12 when his entire family entered the Church at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Germantown. That same year he was sent to Villanova Prep School and, in 1858 entered the novitiate at Tolentino, Italy, where he made his simple profession on October 10, 1859. His philosophy and theology studies were done at Sant’Agostino, Rome, where he made his solemn profession on October 11, 1862. On September 24, 1864 he was ordained to the priesthood, at the age of 23, in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran by Costantino Cardinal Patrizi Naro.

In 1865, Father Middleton returned to the United States and Villanova where he served and lived for the next 58 years. At Villanova he was a teacher, prefect of studies of the college, archivist, and secretary and socius of the province. In the first Provincial Chapter of 1874, he was elected prior of Saint Thomas of Villanova Monastery. He also served as President of the college from 1876 to 1878. After service for 36 years as secretary of the province, he resigned in 1914, at the age of 73, because of declining health.

In 1884, Father Middleton helped organize the American Catholic Historical Society of which he was the first President. He was the author of many essays on local Catholic history and the history of the Order, including the introduction to the Oratorian Translations of the Life of Saint Thomas of Villanova. He also prepared a sketch of Villanova College, which was published on the College's 50th anniversary.
To Father Middleton is owed the recording of precise and detailed notes on the friars, activities and growth of the province with such specificity and personal annotations as to provide a rich and, at times, colorful account of our history over many decades. No cold statistician, however, his demeanor was always cheerful and his manner unselfishly thoughtful.

Father Middleton was 81 when he died at Villanova on November 19, 1923. The Requiem Mass, at which Denis Cardinal Dougherty was in attendance, was celebrated on Thursday, November 22, 1923 at Villanova, with burial following in the community cemetery. Middleton Hall, the former infirmary at Villanova University, is named in his honor.
 

Charles S. Metzger, O.S.A.

1864 – 1913 (May 12)

Charles Sanctes Metzger, son of Johann Metzger and Katharine Konig, was born in Wurzburg, Germany in 1864. He entered the Order in the Province of Bavaria and was vested in December, 1899 at Wurzburg. He made his profession of vows on December 7, 1890, and was ordained to the priesthood on August 1, 1893 in Wurzburg by Bishop Josef von Stein.

After ordination, Father Metzger was first stationed in Germany. In 1899, he emigrated to the United States and served first at Saint Augustine's in Philadelphia, PA. In February, 1900, he was appointed to serve in Lawrence, MA where he had care of the German church.

Father Metzger was 49 when he was killed on Monday, May 12, 1913, by a trolley as he was returning from a sick call. His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, May 14, after which he was buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery in Lawrence, MA. 

Edward J. Merwarth, O.S.A.

1909 – 1951 (June 30)

Edward Joseph Merwarth, son of Edward Merwarth and Susan Gallagher, was born in Easton, PA on August 22, 1909. He received his early education in the parochial schools there and in Bethlehem, PA. After graduating from Bethlehem Catholic High School, he entered the House of Postulants on Staten Island, NY. He was received into the novitiate on September 11, 1930, and professed simple vows on September 12, 1931. He studied at Saint Mary's at Villanova, PA and the Augustinian College in Washington, DC, and was solemnly professed on September 12, 1934.  He was ordained to the priesthood in the Immaculate Conception Shrine in Washington on June 7, 1938.

After ordination, Father Merwarth was assigned as an assistant at Saint Augustine Parish in Detroit, Michigan in 1939. He was affiliated to the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel at its establishment in 1941. He later taught and was athletic director at Saint Thomas High School in Rockford, Il., until 1947, when he was assigned to Saint Monica Seminary, Oconomowoc, WI., where he was Director of the Seminary Guild for the Midwest Province. In 1949 he was assigned to teach at Saint Rita High School in Chicago. 

While visiting his brother and sisters in Bethlehem, Pa., Father Merwarth was taken ill and was admitted to Sacred Heart Hospital there. He was later transferred to Philadelphia's Misericordia Hospital, where he died on June 30, 1951, at the age of 41 of heart disease.  He is buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova.

Daniel J. Menihane, O.S.A.

1932 – 2013 (January 27)

Daniel Joseph Menihane was born on April 1, 1932, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, one of three sons of Daniel S. Menihane and Mary T. O’Leary. He was baptized on April 17, 1932, at Saint Mary Church, Lawrence, and attended public elementary schools in that city, and then Central Catholic High School from 1945 to 1949. He spent a year as a psot-graduate postulant at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, and was received into Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate on September 9, 1950. He professed simple vows on September 10, 1951, and attended Villanova College. He received his BA in Philosophy in May 1954, and professed solemn vows on September 10th of the same year. He was assigned to Collegio Santa Monica, Rome, to pursue theological studies at the Gregorian University, where he received an STL degree in 1958. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 21, 1957, in Rome by Bishop Peter Canisius Van Lierde, O.S.A., in the Church of the Twelve Apostles.
 
Father Menihane was assigned to Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, in 1958. The following year he was assigned as associate pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Staten Island, after which he returned to high school teaching, at Msgr. Bonner High School, Saint Joseph’s Friary, Drexel Hill, from 1960 to 1964 and 1975 to 1993; Saint Nicholas of Tolentine High School, the Bronx, New York, from 1964 to 1972; and Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, from 1972 to 1975. During this time, he completed an MS in Library Science in 1966 at Drexel University, Philadelphia.

He returned to parish ministry in 1993, and served at Saint Augustine Parish, Troy, New York. In 1994 he was assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish, Hoosick Falls, New York, and in 1997 to Saint Mary Parish, Waterford, New York. In 2005, because of failing health, he was assigned to Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova, Pennsylvania. He died at Bryn Mawr Terrace, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania on January 27, 2013. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the Church of Saint Thomas of Villanova on the evening of January 31, 2013. The celebrant was the Prior Provincial, Anthony M. Genovese, O.S.A. and the homilist was Fr. Robert J. Murray, O.S.A. Fr. Menihane is buried in the Augustinian plot in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Father Menihane was known for his great commitment to our fraternal way of life. His cheerfulness, generosity and affability were manifested in his gracious smile and listening skills.

John H. Melton, O.S.A.

1925 – 2002 (March 13)

John Hugh Melton, son of Andrew Melton and Alice Lonergan, was born in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York, on August 26, 1925. He was baptized in Saint Patrick Church, Bay Shore, attended Saint Patrick Parochial School, Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. and Bay Shore High School. In June 1943, John graduated and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps holding the position of radio waist gunner on a B-25 "Billy Mitchell" bomber. Upon returning from the war he attended Saint Francis Prep, Spring Grove, Pa, as a post graduate, and then entered Villanova University for pre-law studies. It was due to his priest-brother and the Augustinians at Villanova that he chose to become an Augustinian. He entered the novitiate, professed simple vows on September 10, 1949, and solemn vows three years later. In June, 1952, he obtained a B.A. degree in philosophy from Villanova University, and then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. On June 4, 1955, John was ordained to the priesthood at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

In August, 1956, Father Melton received his first assignment to Monsignor Bonner High School, Drexel Hill, Pa., where he remained for the next thirty-two years. During those years he influenced students in the classroom and, as guidance counselor, directed the academic careers of many young men to colleges and to the religious life. While at Monsignor Bonner, he was coordinator of the annual Philadelphia Archdiocesan Catholic College Night Programs, Director of the Bonner Alumni Association and Moderator of the Mothers' Club. In July, 1988, Father Melton was assigned to the Saint Augustine community of Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, Pa., and continued to guide young men toward career choices. His reputation as a kind man with a good sense of humor, continued to grow.

All of Father Melton's accomplishments at the two high schools carried over to the children of his students. Memorabilia of all kinds held prominent places in his office as signs of his love, generosity, concern and faith in the young students, who eventually left their mark on society. Their success was Father Melton's reward. He used to say that he "thanked God daily for being able to help all those students with their futures." Beyond the normal school days Father assisted at convents and parish churches. He was a member of the American Legion, the Marine Corps League, served as chaplain for the Marine Corps Association for over ten years and was an active member of the Board of Trustees of Villanova University. In 1975, Father Melton began a hobby of collecting Nativity scenes. This collection was featured in national and local newspapers.

In January, 1999, due to ill health, Father Melton was transferred to the Health Care Unit at Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova, Pa, where he died on March 13, 2002. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church. He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshocken, Pa. 

Charles J. Melchior, O.S.A.

1889 – 1957 (January 16)

Charles Joseph Melchior was born on March 23, 1889. in Barto, Pennsylvania to George W. Melchior and Rosa Clemmer. He was baptized on March 28, 1889 at Blessed Sacrament Church, Bally, PA. After completing his secondary education at Villanova Prep, Villanova, Pennsylvania, Charles attended Pottstown Business College, Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and worked for a short time at Orino Silk Mills, where his father was manager. He was received into the novitiate on June 22, 1911, and professed simple vows on June 22, 1912. He made solemn profession on June 25, 1915. He earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, in 1915, and then pursued theological studies there as well. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 16, 1918.

Father Melchior served as assistant pastor of Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish, Villanova, from 1918 to 1920. In 1920 he was appointed assistant director of novices and professed students at Saint Mary's Hall, Villanova. The following year, he was named procurator. When the novitiate was relocated from Villanova to New Hamburg, New York, Father Melchior was named the first Director of Novices at the new site.

In 1932 he was named procurator of Villanova College. He was transferred in 1938 to Saint Augustine Parish, Detroit, Michigan, where he was assistant pastor and prior of the Augustinian community. In 1939 he became pastor of the parish as well. When the new Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel was established in 1941, Father Melchior became affiliated to that Province. He was elected Prior Provincial in 1944, and was reelected to a second three-year term in 1947.

Upon conclusion of his second term as Prior Provincial in 1950, Father Melchior resumed his former duties as pastor of Saint Augustine Parish and prior of the Augustinian community there. He held those positions until the time his death from a heart attack on January 16, 1957. Father Melchior is buried in the Augustinian cemetery at Villanova.
 

Francis L. Melcher, O.S.A.

1927 – 2001 (July 2)

Francis Lawrence Melcher was born on July 27, 1927 to August Melcher and Agnes Henry in Bally, PA. He attended Most Blessed Sacrament Parochial School from 1933-1941 and then entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, NY, as a postulant. On September 8, 1945 he entered the novitiate at New Hamburg, NY, where he professed first vows on September 10, 1946. Solemn Profession followed on September 10, 1949. Frank studied philosophy at Villanova College and graduated with a BA in 1950. He pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, DC, and was ordained to the priesthood on September 8, 1953 at Villanova, by Archbishop John O'Hara. Following ordination he pursued graduate studies in German at the Catholic University of America and obtained the master's degree in 1954.

Father Melcher's first assignment was to Archbishop Carroll High School in 1954 where he taught until 1967. In that year he was assigned to teach at Biscayne College in Florida. In 1968 he was transferred to Monsignor Bonner High School where he taught and was chaplain until 1975. In that year he was assigned as parochial vicar at Saint Thomas of Villanova parish, Rosemont, PA. From 1978 to 1983 he was prior and treasurer at Saint Mary's, Waterford, NY, and pastor of the parish from 1979-1982. In 1983 he was assigned to Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova University, and served as chaplain at Haverford State Hospital. From 1984 to 1995 he was parochial vicar at Our Mother of Consolation Parish, Chestnut Hill, PA. In 1995 he returned to Saint Thomas Monastery and again was chaplain at Haverford State Hospital until poor health made it necessary for him to give up this ministry. He died on July 2, 2001 at Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr, PA.

Father Melcher was a gentle person, sensitive to the needs of others, especially those in difficult circumstances. He was a dedicated teacher, a compassionate priest, and fully engaged in community life.

His Funeral Mass took place on July 5, 2001, at Saint Thomas Church, Villanova. Father is buried in the Augustinian plot, Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.
 

John F. Medina, O.S.A.

1870 – 1943 (December 5)

John Francis Medina, son of Francis Medina and Mary Frawley, was born in Indianapolis, IN, on May 27, 1870. His family later moved to Saint Augustine's Parish, Philadelphia, PA., and from there John began studies at Villanova Preparatory School, Villanova, PA at the age of 12. He entered the novitiate at Villanova on August 28, 1887 and professed simple vows on September 2, 1888. He was solemnly professed on September 4, 1892. John pursued philosophical and theological studies at Villanova, and was ordained to the priesthood on his 23rd birthday, May 27, 1893, by Archbishop Patrick Ryan in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia.

Father Medina was appointed in 1893 to Villanova College where he taught music, was organist and directed the choir at Saint Thomas of Vilanova Church. He also organized many musical groups in Philadelphia and the suburbs, offered organ recitals and established the college glee club. In 1902, he was transferred to Colegio San Agustin, Havana, Cuba, where he served for one year before being assigned in 1903, to Lawrence, Massachusetts. Assignments follwed at Saint Rita Church, Philadelphia, from 1911 to 1914, and then at Saint John's, Schaghticoke, Saint Patrick, Cambridge and Saint Paul, Mechanicville, all in New York. He also served on the mission band for a short time.

In 1914, Father Medina was transferred to Saint Rita High School in Chicago, IL, where he was professor of music. In 1929, until his death, he was an assistant at the Church of Our Mother of Good Counsel, Bryn Mawr, PA.

After a long illness, Father Medina died at Price Nursing Home, Whitemarsh, PA, on December 5, 1943 at the age of 73. The Funeral Mass was offered by Father Joseph Hickey, O.S.A. at Villanova. Father Joseph Dougherty, O.S.A. preached. Father Medina was an accomplished musician who made use of his talent in all of the places where he ministered. He is buried at Villanova in the Community Cemetery.