Deceased Friars


Columban Duffy, OFM

Columban Duffy

1907 – 1968

Fr. Columban Duffy, OFM, was born in Utica, N.Y., on Jan. 8, 1907. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., and entered the Province’s novitiate in 1937 at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J.

He professed his temporary vows in 1938 and solemn vows in 1941. In 1943, Fr. Columban was ordained a priest in Washington, D.C.

His first assignment took him to St. Francis Friary in New York City, where he served as secretary to the general delegate, Fr. Mathias Faust, OFM. With the direction and help of Fr. Mathias, Fr. Columban began and organized the Franciscan War Relief Apostolate whereby food and clothing was sent to the Franciscan house in Fulda, Germany, and distributed to the poor through German friaries.

The greater part of Fr. Columban’s Franciscan life was dedicated to the education of future priests at Christ the King Seminary in Allegany, N.Y. He was active in the Sisters’ Renewal and Sacred Science programs held each summer at the seminary and St. Bonaventure College. In 1954, his translation of Bernard de St. Maurice’s Jean Duns Scot Le Docteur des Temps Nouveaux was published.

Columban was considered a capable counselor, a dedicated teacher and a good friend by many diocesan clergy and seminarians he helped to educate.

He died Aug. 7, 1968, in St. Francis Hospital, Olean, N.Y. Fr. Columban was 61 years old, a professed friar for almost 30 years and a priest for 25 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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Columban Duffy, OFM

Columban Duffy

1907 – 1968

Fr. Columban Duffy, OFM, was born in Utica, N.Y., on Jan. 8, 1907. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., and entered the Province’s novitiate in 1937 at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J.

He professed his temporary vows in 1938 and solemn vows in 1941. In 1943, Fr. Columban was ordained a priest in Washington, D.C.

His first assignment took him to St. Francis Friary in New York City, where he served as secretary to the general delegate, Fr. Mathias Faust, OFM. With the direction and help of Fr. Mathias, Fr. Columban began and organized the Franciscan War Relief Apostolate whereby food and clothing was sent to the Franciscan house in Fulda, Germany, and distributed to the poor through German friaries.

The greater part of Fr. Columban’s Franciscan life was dedicated to the education of future priests at Christ the King Seminary in Allegany, N.Y. He was active in the Sisters’ Renewal and Sacred Science programs held each summer at the seminary and St. Bonaventure College. In 1954, his translation of Bernard de St. Maurice’s Jean Duns Scot Le Docteur des Temps Nouveaux was published.

Columban was considered a capable counselor, a dedicated teacher and a good friend by many diocesan clergy and seminarians he helped to educate.

He died Aug. 7, 1968, in St. Francis Hospital, Olean, N.Y. Fr. Columban was 61 years old, a professed friar for almost 30 years and a priest for 25 years.