Cyprian Lynch, OFM

1921 – 2000

Fr. Cyprian Lynch, OFM, was born on July 28, 1921 in Syracuse, N.Y. He attended St. Michael’s College in Toronto before being accepted into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1941. He professed temporary vows one year later and made his solemn vows in 1945. Fr. Cyprian was ordained in 1948.

After earning a master’s degree in history from St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y., he spent one year at St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, before spending two years studying Franciscan spirituality at the Antonianum in Rome. Thereafter, he served as a resident fellow at the Academy of American Franciscan History, Berkeley, Calif., a professor of history and vice-rector at St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., and a research fellow at Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington. He also taught history at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., served as the guardian of St. Raphael’s Novitiate in Lafayette, N.J., and returned to academia as a professor at the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University. In 1993, SBU granted him the status of professor emeritus of the history of Franciscan spirituality. Fr. Cyprian transferred to Holy Name Friary, Ringwood, N.J., in 1997.

Over the years, Fr. Cyprian was archivist of Holy Name Province, editor of the Provincial Annals, associate editor of Franciscan Studies, and author of 75 encyclopedic articles.

He died on Oct. 12, 2000 in Holy Name Friary, Ringwood. Fr. Cyprian was 79 years old, a professed friar for 58 years and a priest for 52 years.