Deceased Friars

Boniface McConville, OFM

Boniface McConville

1895 – 1961

Fr. Boniface McConville, OFM, was born in Oxford, N.J., on July 29, 1895. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., in 1921, and entered the novitiate on Aug. 15 of that year. He professed temporary vows Aug. 16, 1922, and made his profession of solemn vows Aug. 16, 1925. Fr. Boniface was ordained a priest June 2, 1928, in Newark, N.J.

During his 39 years as a friar, he was stationed in many houses of the Province. His first assignment was to St. Joseph’s Seminary, but he was soon transferred to St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y., where he became interested in the apostolate of the radio and the press. In 1933, he addressed the Franciscan Educational Conference urging greater use of the mass media for evangelization.

From 1934 until 1949, Boniface worked at St. Stephen of Hungary Church and St. Francis of Assisi in New York City, St. Bonaventure Church in Paterson, N.J., St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Beach Haven, N.J., St. Joseph Church in Winsted, Conn., St. Francis Friary in Brookline, Mass., and St. Elizabeth’s Friary in Denver.

In 1949, Fr. Boniface was appointed editor of the Provincial Annals, a task he did well until ill health forced him to retire in 1954. He died at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson on June 5, 1961. He was 65 years old, a professed friar for 38 years and a priest for 33 years.

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

Main Content

Boniface McConville, OFM

Boniface McConville

1895 – 1961

Fr. Boniface McConville, OFM, was born in Oxford, N.J., on July 29, 1895. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., in 1921, and entered the novitiate on Aug. 15 of that year. He professed temporary vows Aug. 16, 1922, and made his profession of solemn vows Aug. 16, 1925. Fr. Boniface was ordained a priest June 2, 1928, in Newark, N.J.

During his 39 years as a friar, he was stationed in many houses of the Province. His first assignment was to St. Joseph’s Seminary, but he was soon transferred to St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y., where he became interested in the apostolate of the radio and the press. In 1933, he addressed the Franciscan Educational Conference urging greater use of the mass media for evangelization.

From 1934 until 1949, Boniface worked at St. Stephen of Hungary Church and St. Francis of Assisi in New York City, St. Bonaventure Church in Paterson, N.J., St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Beach Haven, N.J., St. Joseph Church in Winsted, Conn., St. Francis Friary in Brookline, Mass., and St. Elizabeth’s Friary in Denver.

In 1949, Fr. Boniface was appointed editor of the Provincial Annals, a task he did well until ill health forced him to retire in 1954. He died at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson on June 5, 1961. He was 65 years old, a professed friar for 38 years and a priest for 33 years.