Alphonsus Duff, OFM

1875 – 1934

Fr. Alphonsus Duff, OFM, was born in Kings Court, County Cork, Ireland, on Dec. 5, 1875. He entered the novitiate in at St. Bonaventure Friary in Allegany, N.Y., on Dec. 21, 1893, and professed temporary vows on Dec. 22, 1894. Fr. Alphonsus made his profession of solemn vows Jan. 6, 1898, and was ordained a priest with the first ordination class of the new Province Dec. 21, 1901.

Fr. Alphonsus spent a few years at Sullivan Street in New York City and in Winsted, but the greater part of his Franciscan life was dedicated to St. Patrick’s Church in Buffalo, N.Y., where he labored for 28 years as an assistant. He was known as the “Twentieth Century Curé d’Ars” and baptized over 800 converts during his years in Buffalo. He was a popular confessor and spiritual guide for many. He also served for a brief time as a councilor of Holy Name Province.

He died in Buffalo on May 16, 1934. Fr. Alphonsus was 58 years old, a professed friar for 39 years and a priest for 32 years.