Deceased Friars


Stanislaus Godzwa, OFM

Stanislaus Godzwa

1887 – 1967

Br. Stanislaus Godzwa, OFM, was born on Oct. 2, 1887 in Guiana Kopsk, Poland. He came to the United States in 1911 as a tertiary brother. Br. Stanislaus was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1914, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1920.

From 1915 to 1926, he was assigned as a tailor at the Paterson friary. Br. Stanislaus then moved to St. Anthony Friary, Butler, N.J., where he was both tailor and in charge of the laundry. Br. Stan’s antics amused and amazed the formation students at Butler for four decades.

He died on Nov. 6, 1967 at Gowanda State Hospital, Helmuth, N.Y. Br. Stanislaus was 80 years old, a professed friar for 52 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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Stanislaus Godzwa, OFM

Stanislaus Godzwa

1887 – 1967

Br. Stanislaus Godzwa, OFM, was born on Oct. 2, 1887 in Guiana Kopsk, Poland. He came to the United States in 1911 as a tertiary brother. Br. Stanislaus was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1914, professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1920.

From 1915 to 1926, he was assigned as a tailor at the Paterson friary. Br. Stanislaus then moved to St. Anthony Friary, Butler, N.J., where he was both tailor and in charge of the laundry. Br. Stan’s antics amused and amazed the formation students at Butler for four decades.

He died on Nov. 6, 1967 at Gowanda State Hospital, Helmuth, N.Y. Br. Stanislaus was 80 years old, a professed friar for 52 years.