Charles A Steen, OFM

1938 – 2006

Fr. Charles Steen, OFM, was born on Feb. 13, 1938 in Buffalo, N.Y., and baptized Joseph. He enrolled in St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., and was received into the Order at St. Raphael’s Friary, Lafayette, N.J., in 1957, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1961 and was ordained in 1964.

One year later, Fr. Charles traveled to Bolivia as a missionary, serving in Apolo, Sorata, and La Paz. In 1984, he returned to the United States, serving as a minister at St. Francis Chapel, Providence, R.I. He volunteered for the Province’s mission in Africa in 1987, where he served in parochial ministry in Nairobi, Kenya, Bukoba, Tanzania and, from 1991 to 2000, as pastor at St. Pius X Parish in Waterkloff, South Africa.

Fr. Charles returned to the United States in 2000 and served at St. Camillus Parish in Silver Spring, Md. In 2001, he joined the Province’s Ministry of the Word, based in Hialeah, Fla. In 2005, he became parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Parish in Pompton Lakes, N.J.

He died on Dec. 17, 2006 in Elma, N.Y. Fr. Charles was 68 years old, a professed friar for 48 years and a priest for 42 years.