Deceased Friars

Brice McDonough, OFM

Brice McDonough

1899 – 1958

Fr. Brice McDonough, OFM, was born on May 3, 1899 in Brooklyn, N.Y. After several years at Brooklyn College Preparatory School, he entered St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y. He entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1928, professing temporary vows one year later. Fr. Brice made his solemn profession in 1932 and was ordained in 1935.

For 10 years, he ministered at parishes in Garfield, Wood-Ridge and Paterson, N.J. In 1947, Fr. Brice went to St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, as a member of the second group of friars assigned to the then-new ministry on Arch Street. He was a member of the “cave-dwellers” — those friars who slept and cooked, ate and relaxed in one unpartitioned cellar room of the Shrine. His gentle manner and compassion attracted thousands to his confessional during his 11 years in Boston.

He died on March 2, 1958 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Brighton, Mass. Fr. Brice was 58 years old, a professed friar for 28 years and a priest for 22 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

Brice McDonough, OFM

Brice McDonough

1899 – 1958

Fr. Brice McDonough, OFM, was born on May 3, 1899 in Brooklyn, N.Y. After several years at Brooklyn College Preparatory School, he entered St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y. He entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1928, professing temporary vows one year later. Fr. Brice made his solemn profession in 1932 and was ordained in 1935.

For 10 years, he ministered at parishes in Garfield, Wood-Ridge and Paterson, N.J. In 1947, Fr. Brice went to St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, as a member of the second group of friars assigned to the then-new ministry on Arch Street. He was a member of the “cave-dwellers” — those friars who slept and cooked, ate and relaxed in one unpartitioned cellar room of the Shrine. His gentle manner and compassion attracted thousands to his confessional during his 11 years in Boston.

He died on March 2, 1958 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Brighton, Mass. Fr. Brice was 58 years old, a professed friar for 28 years and a priest for 22 years.