Deceased Friars


Patrick Gilgan, OFM

Patrick Gilgan

1875 – 1936

Fr. Patrick Gilgan, OFM, was born July 23, 1875 in Brockton, Mass. After attending St. Bonaventure College, Allegany, N.Y., he entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1902, professing temporary vows one year later. Fr. Patrick made his solemn profession in 1906 and was ordained in 1909.

He was a proto-missionary, one of the first friars to go as a missionary to China. He served there for 21 years and remained in the war-torn country until ill health forced him to return to the United States.

He died on Jan. 15, 1936 at St. Francis Hospital in the Bronx, N.Y. Fr. Patrick was 60 years old, a professed friar for 32 years and a priest for 26 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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Patrick Gilgan, OFM

Patrick Gilgan

1875 – 1936

Fr. Patrick Gilgan, OFM, was born July 23, 1875 in Brockton, Mass. After attending St. Bonaventure College, Allegany, N.Y., he entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1902, professing temporary vows one year later. Fr. Patrick made his solemn profession in 1906 and was ordained in 1909.

He was a proto-missionary, one of the first friars to go as a missionary to China. He served there for 21 years and remained in the war-torn country until ill health forced him to return to the United States.

He died on Jan. 15, 1936 at St. Francis Hospital in the Bronx, N.Y. Fr. Patrick was 60 years old, a professed friar for 32 years and a priest for 26 years.