Deceased Friars

Raphael Ward, OFM

Raphael Ward

1909 – 1974

Fr. Raphael Ward, OFM, was born on Sept. 29, 1909 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1933 and professed temporary vows one year later. Fr. Raphael made his solemn profession in 1937 and was ordained in 1940.

The early years of his priesthood were spent working with Fr. Wulstan Gleason, OFM, and the Franciscan Missionary Union in New York City. A kind friar, Fr. Raphael was devoted to the missions of Holy Name Province and a conscientious worker. He was in a serious car accident near Buffalo, N.Y., and never fully recovered from the effects of the accident. He was then assigned to Holy Cross Friary in the Bronx, N.Y.

He died there on March 1, 1974. Fr. Raphael was 64 years old, a professed friar for 39 years and a priest for 33 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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Raphael Ward, OFM

Raphael Ward

1909 – 1974

Fr. Raphael Ward, OFM, was born on Sept. 29, 1909 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1933 and professed temporary vows one year later. Fr. Raphael made his solemn profession in 1937 and was ordained in 1940.

The early years of his priesthood were spent working with Fr. Wulstan Gleason, OFM, and the Franciscan Missionary Union in New York City. A kind friar, Fr. Raphael was devoted to the missions of Holy Name Province and a conscientious worker. He was in a serious car accident near Buffalo, N.Y., and never fully recovered from the effects of the accident. He was then assigned to Holy Cross Friary in the Bronx, N.Y.

He died there on March 1, 1974. Fr. Raphael was 64 years old, a professed friar for 39 years and a priest for 33 years.