Deceased Friars

Ronald Scott, OFM

Ronald Scott

1897 – 1974

Fr. Ronald Scott, OFM, was born on April 30, 1897 in Philadelphia. He entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., in 1922, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1926 and was ordained in 1929.

A pioneer missioner among the Afro-American people in the South from 1933 to 1945, Fr. Ronald built three churches in North and South Carolina. At Paso Robles, Calif., he was a fatherly guide to young men who needed help. In Phoenix, he served both the Little Sisters of the Poor and their guests, and patients at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Fr. Ronald was popular in the Franciscan sense of the word: people liked him and he liked people. The final decade of his life was devoted to pastoral ministry to the people at Our Lady’s Chapel in New Bedford, Mass. When celebrating his 40th anniversary of priesthood in 1969, Fr. Scotty said: “If I’ve been successful in my work, it’s because I’ve always had a smile for everyone.”

He died on Oct. 25, 1974 in Philadelphia. Fr. Ronald was 77 years old, a professed friar for 51 years and a priest for 45 years.

Each of us should be called a lesser brother, a Friar Minor. Each one of us should wash the feet of the others.”

Main Content

Ronald Scott, OFM

Ronald Scott

1897 – 1974

Fr. Ronald Scott, OFM, was born on April 30, 1897 in Philadelphia. He entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., in 1922, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1926 and was ordained in 1929.

A pioneer missioner among the Afro-American people in the South from 1933 to 1945, Fr. Ronald built three churches in North and South Carolina. At Paso Robles, Calif., he was a fatherly guide to young men who needed help. In Phoenix, he served both the Little Sisters of the Poor and their guests, and patients at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Fr. Ronald was popular in the Franciscan sense of the word: people liked him and he liked people. The final decade of his life was devoted to pastoral ministry to the people at Our Lady’s Chapel in New Bedford, Mass. When celebrating his 40th anniversary of priesthood in 1969, Fr. Scotty said: “If I’ve been successful in my work, it’s because I’ve always had a smile for everyone.”

He died on Oct. 25, 1974 in Philadelphia. Fr. Ronald was 77 years old, a professed friar for 51 years and a priest for 45 years.