Deceased Friars

Jerome Dawson, OFM

Jerome Dawson

1892 – 1945

Fr. Jerome Dawson, OFM, was born on March 28, 1892, in Buffalo, N.Y. He graduated from the St. Patrick’s parish school and entered St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y.

He was received into the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., July 25, 1912, and professed temporary vows July 28, 1913. Fr. Jerome made his profession of solemn vows Nov. 12, 1916, and was ordained a priest Sept. 20, 1919, after the flu epidemic had reduced his class to two.

As a young priest, Fr. Jerome went to St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., where he was a teacher and prefect of discipline. He served for 10 years as confessor at the diocesan seminary and for 15 years as master of novices in Paterson.

Councilor and Provincial Vicar of Holy Name Province, Fr. Jerome was elected to the Office of Provincial Minister in 1937 and served for six years.

During his tenure Siena College was built and the southern missions of the United States were expanded. He was also devoted to the friars who were serving as military chaplains and kept in touch with each one of them through personal letters.

While Provincial Vicar of the Province, he died in St. Clare’s Hospital in New York City on June 25, 1945. He was 53 years old, a professed friar for 31 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.”

Main Content

Jerome Dawson, OFM

Jerome Dawson

1892 – 1945

Fr. Jerome Dawson, OFM, was born on March 28, 1892, in Buffalo, N.Y. He graduated from the St. Patrick’s parish school and entered St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y.

He was received into the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., July 25, 1912, and professed temporary vows July 28, 1913. Fr. Jerome made his profession of solemn vows Nov. 12, 1916, and was ordained a priest Sept. 20, 1919, after the flu epidemic had reduced his class to two.

As a young priest, Fr. Jerome went to St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., where he was a teacher and prefect of discipline. He served for 10 years as confessor at the diocesan seminary and for 15 years as master of novices in Paterson.

Councilor and Provincial Vicar of Holy Name Province, Fr. Jerome was elected to the Office of Provincial Minister in 1937 and served for six years.

During his tenure Siena College was built and the southern missions of the United States were expanded. He was also devoted to the friars who were serving as military chaplains and kept in touch with each one of them through personal letters.

While Provincial Vicar of the Province, he died in St. Clare’s Hospital in New York City on June 25, 1945. He was 53 years old, a professed friar for 31 years and a priest for 25 years.