Conall O'Leary, OFM

1914 – 1993

Fr. Conall O’Leary, OFM, was born on March 9, 1914 in Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland. His elementary and secondary education was provided by the Irish Christian Brothers in Tipperary. He spent one year at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., before entering the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1934. Fr. Conall professed temporary vows one year later, made his solemn profession in 1938 and was ordained in 1941.

Except for six years ministering at St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, St. Stephen of Hungary Parish, New York City, and St. Patrick Parish, Buffalo, N.Y., Fr. Conall spent his life serving in the missions of Brazil and southwest Georgia. He found time to translate the works of Fr. Dom Henrique Trindade, OFM, from Portuguese into English. Fr. Conall also translated ”The Total Christ,” an elaborate dramatic presentation based on the Stations of the Cross by two Brazilians and a Dutch sister.

Fr. Conall founded a religious congregation of women in Brazil, the Sisters of the Visitation. On the day of his death, the sisters celebrated the 31st anniversary of the congregation’s foundation. A dedicated and enthusiastic missionary, Fr. Conall’s gave his life to missionary evangelization, and the fruits of his labors were many.

He died on March 25, 1993 in Warwick, N.Y. Fr. Conall was 79 years old, a professed friar for 57 years and a priest for 51 years.