Deceased Friars

Blaise Scannell, OFM

Blaise Scannell

1910 – 1979

Fr. Blaise Scannell, OFM, was born July 31, 1910 in Brookline, Mass. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., he entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1929. He professed temporary vows one year later, made his solemn profession in 1933 and was ordained in 1936.

After ordination, Fr. Blaise volunteered to go to China as a missionary. He spent one year in Rome studying missiology and in 1938 went to China, where he served until 1944. After returning to the U.S., he enlisted in the Navy as a chaplain and ministered until 1946. For 20 years, Fr. Blaise used his booming voice and great sense of humor as a popular preacher with the Province’s Mission Band. He went to St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, in 1967.

He died on April 27, 1979 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla. Fr. Blaise was 68 years old, a professed friar for 48 years and a priest for 42 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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Blaise Scannell, OFM

Blaise Scannell

1910 – 1979

Fr. Blaise Scannell, OFM, was born July 31, 1910 in Brookline, Mass. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., he entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1929. He professed temporary vows one year later, made his solemn profession in 1933 and was ordained in 1936.

After ordination, Fr. Blaise volunteered to go to China as a missionary. He spent one year in Rome studying missiology and in 1938 went to China, where he served until 1944. After returning to the U.S., he enlisted in the Navy as a chaplain and ministered until 1946. For 20 years, Fr. Blaise used his booming voice and great sense of humor as a popular preacher with the Province’s Mission Band. He went to St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, in 1967.

He died on April 27, 1979 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla. Fr. Blaise was 68 years old, a professed friar for 48 years and a priest for 42 years.