Deceased Friars

Kenan O'Donnell, OFM

Kenan O’Donnell

1908 – 1956

Fr. Kenan O’Donnell, OFM, was born April 12, 1908 in Dorchester, Mass. At age 14, he entered St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1927, professing temporary vows one year later. Fr. Kenan made his solemn profession in 1931 and was ordained in 1934.

He studied canon law in Rome, receiving his degree in 1936. Fr. Kenan was then assigned to Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., where he taught political science until 1943. He volunteered for the chaplain corps of the U.S. Naval Reserve, serving in both the European and Asiatic theatres of war. After World War II, he taught at Siena College and St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y., until 1950, when he went to minister at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston.

He died on Jan. 27, 1956 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Brighton, Mass. Fr. Kenan was 47 years old, a professed friar for 27 years and a priest for 21 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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Kenan O'Donnell, OFM

Kenan O’Donnell

1908 – 1956

Fr. Kenan O’Donnell, OFM, was born April 12, 1908 in Dorchester, Mass. At age 14, he entered St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1927, professing temporary vows one year later. Fr. Kenan made his solemn profession in 1931 and was ordained in 1934.

He studied canon law in Rome, receiving his degree in 1936. Fr. Kenan was then assigned to Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., where he taught political science until 1943. He volunteered for the chaplain corps of the U.S. Naval Reserve, serving in both the European and Asiatic theatres of war. After World War II, he taught at Siena College and St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y., until 1950, when he went to minister at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston.

He died on Jan. 27, 1956 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Brighton, Mass. Fr. Kenan was 47 years old, a professed friar for 27 years and a priest for 21 years.