Cyprian Mensing, OFM

1894 – 1970

Fr. Cyprian Mensing, OFM, was born in Rochester, N.Y., on Oct. 9, 1894. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y.

He was received into the Province’s novitiate in 1916 and professed his temporary vows the following year. Fr. Cyprian was ordained a priest in 1923.

During his early years as a friar-priest, Cyprian was a teacher and prefect of discipline at St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, N.Y. In 1929, he received his doctorate in education from Catholic University of America. For the next seven years, Fr. Cyprian was again assigned to St. Bonaventure College where he was dean and professor of education and registrar.

In 1938, he became the first president of Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., and served in that position until 1943.

When he completed his term as president, Fr, Cyprian received permission to secularize and work as a diocesan priest in the diocese of Youngstown, Ohio. He served in various parishes as an assistant, as principal of St. Jude High School and as pastor of St. Cecilia and St. Thomas Aquinas parishes. Fr. Cyprian also established the Newman Club at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.

In 1966, he was granted permission to return to Holy Name Province, and after an abbreviated novitiate, he professed solemn vows on July 12, 1967. He lived at St. Anthony Friary in Butler, N.J., until illness forced him to move to the provincial infirmary at St. Bonaventure University.

He died Aug. 31, 1970, at St. Francis Hospital in Olean, N.Y. Fr. Cyprian was 75 years old, a professed friar for 42 years and a priest for 47 years.