Augustine Guiragos, OFM

1888 – 1957

Br. Augustine Guiragos, OFM, was born Feb. 24, 1888 in Marsovan, Syria. As a boy, he attended the Jesuit-conducted school in Marsouab, Armenia. He came to America at age 11. In 1918, he served in the United States Army. He joined the friars as a tertiary brother in 1919 and was received into the Order in 1921, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1922.

His first assignment was to Denver, where he cooked for the friars. Later, Br. Augustine went to St. Stephen Friary, Croghan, N.Y., where he served as cook, baker and porter for eight years. In 1931, he returned to Denver for a five-year stint. He also served at ministries in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and Lenoir, N.C.

Br. Augustine’s last assignment was to St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., where he supervised a program of food and spiritual reading for people who came to the friary in need. When he could no longer handle the heavy pots and pans, he began to make cords for the friars — and he would make more than 500 per year. A man of seclusion, he never took a vacation. During his eight years at St. Stephen Friary, he left the friary but once, to take a trip to the Thousand Islands.

He died on Feb. 14, 1957 at St. Michael’s Hospital in Newark, N.J. Br. Augustine was 68 years old, a professed friar for 34 years.