Deceased Friars

Cornelius Madden, OFM

Cornelius Madden

1895 – 1961

Fr. Cornelius Madden, OFM, was born in Boston, Mass., on Sept. 2, 1895. He entered the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., Aug. 3, 1916, and professed temporary vows Aug. 20, 1917. He made his profession of solemn vows Oct. 4, 1920, and was ordained a priest at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Buffalo, N.Y., on May 26, 1923.

During his formation years, while studying theology, Fr. Cornelius also taught English and French at St. Bonaventure College, Allegany, N.Y. Fr. Alexander Hickey, OFM, encouraged him to pursue his English studies, which he did after ordination, at Columbia University.

He went to St. Stephen’s Frairy in Croghan, N.Y., to teach philosophy and English, and cared for the mission in Castorland. In 1924, he became secretary to Fr. Mathias Faust, OFM, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City. In 1925, he went to Paterson where he was editor of the Franciscan, and was placed in charge of St. Clare’s Church in Delawanna, N.J., for two years. He also served as an assistant at Holy Name Church in Garfield, N.J., for two years.

In 1929, Fr. Cornelius was assigned to St. Bonaventure College where he taught English and cared for the mission in Vandalia, N.Y. Further studies at Harvard University and Oxford resulted in Fr. Cornelius being recognized as a respected authority on English literature. In 1948, he was assigned to Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., where he taught for nine years.

In 1957, he returned once again to Paterson, where he died June 1, 1961. He was 65 years of old, a professed friar for 43 years and a priest for 38 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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Cornelius Madden, OFM

Cornelius Madden

1895 – 1961

Fr. Cornelius Madden, OFM, was born in Boston, Mass., on Sept. 2, 1895. He entered the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., Aug. 3, 1916, and professed temporary vows Aug. 20, 1917. He made his profession of solemn vows Oct. 4, 1920, and was ordained a priest at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Buffalo, N.Y., on May 26, 1923.

During his formation years, while studying theology, Fr. Cornelius also taught English and French at St. Bonaventure College, Allegany, N.Y. Fr. Alexander Hickey, OFM, encouraged him to pursue his English studies, which he did after ordination, at Columbia University.

He went to St. Stephen’s Frairy in Croghan, N.Y., to teach philosophy and English, and cared for the mission in Castorland. In 1924, he became secretary to Fr. Mathias Faust, OFM, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City. In 1925, he went to Paterson where he was editor of the Franciscan, and was placed in charge of St. Clare’s Church in Delawanna, N.J., for two years. He also served as an assistant at Holy Name Church in Garfield, N.J., for two years.

In 1929, Fr. Cornelius was assigned to St. Bonaventure College where he taught English and cared for the mission in Vandalia, N.Y. Further studies at Harvard University and Oxford resulted in Fr. Cornelius being recognized as a respected authority on English literature. In 1948, he was assigned to Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., where he taught for nine years.

In 1957, he returned once again to Paterson, where he died June 1, 1961. He was 65 years of old, a professed friar for 43 years and a priest for 38 years.