Deceased Friars

Celsus Folan, OFM

Celsus Folan

1907 – 1971

Fr. Celsus Folan, OFM, was born Sept. 16, 1907 in Norwood, Mass. He completed studies at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., and entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1937. He professed temporary vows one year later, made his solemn profession in 1941 and was ordained in 1943.

After his ordination, Fr. Celsus served at parishes in Fair Lawn, N.J., and the Bronx, N.Y., before spending 10 years with the Mission Band preaching parish missions and retreats. He also ministered at St. Stephen of Hungary Parish in New York City and Our Lady’s Chapel in New Bedford, Mass., and served as guardian of St. Francis Friary, Brookline, Mass.

He died on Jan. 25, 1971 at St. Anthony’s Friary, St. Petersburg, Fla. Fr. Celsus was 63 years old, a professed friar for 32 years and a priest for 27 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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Celsus Folan, OFM

Celsus Folan

1907 – 1971

Fr. Celsus Folan, OFM, was born Sept. 16, 1907 in Norwood, Mass. He completed studies at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., and entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1937. He professed temporary vows one year later, made his solemn profession in 1941 and was ordained in 1943.

After his ordination, Fr. Celsus served at parishes in Fair Lawn, N.J., and the Bronx, N.Y., before spending 10 years with the Mission Band preaching parish missions and retreats. He also ministered at St. Stephen of Hungary Parish in New York City and Our Lady’s Chapel in New Bedford, Mass., and served as guardian of St. Francis Friary, Brookline, Mass.

He died on Jan. 25, 1971 at St. Anthony’s Friary, St. Petersburg, Fla. Fr. Celsus was 63 years old, a professed friar for 32 years and a priest for 27 years.