Deceased Friars

Raymond Govern, OFM

Raymond Govern

1912 – 1981

Fr. Raymond was born on Feb. 19, 1912 in Stamford, N.Y. He attended The Catholic University of America for one year before entering the Order at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1931. He professed temporary vows one year later, made his solemn profession in 1935 and was ordained a priest in 1938.

He taught mathematics at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., and served as registrar. Fr. Raymond ministered two terms in the Navy as a chaplain, serving in Florida, Virginia, Korea and Japan. He worked as a hospital chaplain for 12 years at St. Joseph Hospital in the Bronx, N.Y., and St. Francis Hospital in Jersey City, N.J. Fr. Raymond also ministered for six years at Our Divine Savior Parish in Tifton, Ga., and served as pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Americus, Ga.

He died on Jan. 2, 1981 at St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla. Fr. Raymond was 68 years old, a professed Franciscan friar for 49 years and a priest for 43 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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Raymond Govern, OFM

Raymond Govern

1912 – 1981

Fr. Raymond was born on Feb. 19, 1912 in Stamford, N.Y. He attended The Catholic University of America for one year before entering the Order at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1931. He professed temporary vows one year later, made his solemn profession in 1935 and was ordained a priest in 1938.

He taught mathematics at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., and served as registrar. Fr. Raymond ministered two terms in the Navy as a chaplain, serving in Florida, Virginia, Korea and Japan. He worked as a hospital chaplain for 12 years at St. Joseph Hospital in the Bronx, N.Y., and St. Francis Hospital in Jersey City, N.J. Fr. Raymond also ministered for six years at Our Divine Savior Parish in Tifton, Ga., and served as pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Americus, Ga.

He died on Jan. 2, 1981 at St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla. Fr. Raymond was 68 years old, a professed Franciscan friar for 49 years and a priest for 43 years.