Deceased Friars

Paschal Edwards, OFM

Paschal Edwards

1884 – 1954

Br. Paschal Edwards, OFM, was born of Anglican parents in Brighton, England, on May 16, 1884. As a young man, he served as butler to some of the wealthiest titled families in England. He came to America in his 20s and was the man-servant to one of the Vanderbilt families.

He entered the Roman Catholic Church in 1916 and joined the friars as a novice at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., on Aug. 15, 1921. He professed temporary vows Aug. 16, 1922, and solemn vows Aug. 17, 1925.

Br. Paschal worked as chef or sacristan in Paterson, at St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., and St. Francis Friary in New York City. In 1927, he went as a missionary to China and served in Hupeh for four years.

Upon his return to the United States, Br. Paschal served in the North Carolina missions of Lenoir and Statesville for 10 years. He returned north to work at St. Mary’s Parish in Pompton Lakes, N.J., St. Stephen’s in Croghan, N.Y., and St. Francis in Rye Beach, N.H.

Br. Paschal was always the gentleman and every work performed had the touch of exactness and artistry. He died in the General Hospital in Portsmouth, N.H., on July 26, 1954. He was 70 years old and a professed friar for almost 27 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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Paschal Edwards, OFM

Paschal Edwards

1884 – 1954

Br. Paschal Edwards, OFM, was born of Anglican parents in Brighton, England, on May 16, 1884. As a young man, he served as butler to some of the wealthiest titled families in England. He came to America in his 20s and was the man-servant to one of the Vanderbilt families.

He entered the Roman Catholic Church in 1916 and joined the friars as a novice at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., on Aug. 15, 1921. He professed temporary vows Aug. 16, 1922, and solemn vows Aug. 17, 1925.

Br. Paschal worked as chef or sacristan in Paterson, at St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., and St. Francis Friary in New York City. In 1927, he went as a missionary to China and served in Hupeh for four years.

Upon his return to the United States, Br. Paschal served in the North Carolina missions of Lenoir and Statesville for 10 years. He returned north to work at St. Mary’s Parish in Pompton Lakes, N.J., St. Stephen’s in Croghan, N.Y., and St. Francis in Rye Beach, N.H.

Br. Paschal was always the gentleman and every work performed had the touch of exactness and artistry. He died in the General Hospital in Portsmouth, N.H., on July 26, 1954. He was 70 years old and a professed friar for almost 27 years.