Deceased Friars

Anselm Donohue, OFM

Anselm Donohue

1916 – 1966

Br. Anselm Donohue, OFM, was born on July 3, 1916 in Jamaica Plain, Mass. He was received as a tertiary brother at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City in 1937 and entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1939. Br. Anselm professed temporary vows one year later and made his solemn profession in 1943.

After his solemn profession, he went to Brazil as a missionary. From 1944 to 1956, except for three years at St. Stephen of Hungary Church in New York City, Br. Anselm served at Pirenoplis, Pires do Rio and Anapolis, where he served in the kitchen at the Brookline, Mass., Friary.

On March 6, 1966, Br. Anselm went swimming with Fr. Joseph Wider, OFM, and Fr. Donald Stellpflug, OFM, and drowned in the waters off Lima, Peru. He was 49 years old, a professed friar for 25 years.

Each of us should be called a lesser brother, a Friar Minor. Each one of us should wash the feet of the others.”

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Anselm Donohue, OFM

Anselm Donohue

1916 – 1966

Br. Anselm Donohue, OFM, was born on July 3, 1916 in Jamaica Plain, Mass. He was received as a tertiary brother at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City in 1937 and entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1939. Br. Anselm professed temporary vows one year later and made his solemn profession in 1943.

After his solemn profession, he went to Brazil as a missionary. From 1944 to 1956, except for three years at St. Stephen of Hungary Church in New York City, Br. Anselm served at Pirenoplis, Pires do Rio and Anapolis, where he served in the kitchen at the Brookline, Mass., Friary.

On March 6, 1966, Br. Anselm went swimming with Fr. Joseph Wider, OFM, and Fr. Donald Stellpflug, OFM, and drowned in the waters off Lima, Peru. He was 49 years old, a professed friar for 25 years.