Deceased Friars

Theophane Larkin, OFM

Theophane Larkin

1917 – 1989

Fr. Theophane Larkin, OFM, was born on May 17, 1917 in Webster, N.Y. He attended St. Andrew’s Minor Seminary in Rochester, N.Y., and while there decided to become a friar.

He entered Holy Name Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., on Aug. 12, 1937, and professed temporary vows Aug. 13, 1938. Fr. Theophane made his profession of solemn vows Sept. 17, 1941, and was ordained a priest May 29, 1943.

He was assigned to St. Anthony’s Guild as an editorial assistant from 1944 to 1952. He then went to St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., to teach and serve as pastor in nearby Youngsville. He became vicar of the community and vice-rector of the seminary.

After one year as the assistant master at St. Raphael’s Friary in Lafayette, N.J., he was appointed novice master, and served for three years. He then alternated between Christ the King Seminary in Allegany, N.Y., and St. John Lateran in Rome, where he served as a confessor and guardian of the community.

Fr. Theophane was a cheerful, calm, compassionate friar and excelled as a confessor and spiritual director. He died suddenly in the Franciscan friary at the Lateran Basilica in Rome on May 26, 1989. He was 72 years old, a professed friar for 50 years and a priest for nearly 46 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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Theophane Larkin, OFM

Theophane Larkin

1917 – 1989

Fr. Theophane Larkin, OFM, was born on May 17, 1917 in Webster, N.Y. He attended St. Andrew’s Minor Seminary in Rochester, N.Y., and while there decided to become a friar.

He entered Holy Name Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., on Aug. 12, 1937, and professed temporary vows Aug. 13, 1938. Fr. Theophane made his profession of solemn vows Sept. 17, 1941, and was ordained a priest May 29, 1943.

He was assigned to St. Anthony’s Guild as an editorial assistant from 1944 to 1952. He then went to St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., to teach and serve as pastor in nearby Youngsville. He became vicar of the community and vice-rector of the seminary.

After one year as the assistant master at St. Raphael’s Friary in Lafayette, N.J., he was appointed novice master, and served for three years. He then alternated between Christ the King Seminary in Allegany, N.Y., and St. John Lateran in Rome, where he served as a confessor and guardian of the community.

Fr. Theophane was a cheerful, calm, compassionate friar and excelled as a confessor and spiritual director. He died suddenly in the Franciscan friary at the Lateran Basilica in Rome on May 26, 1989. He was 72 years old, a professed friar for 50 years and a priest for nearly 46 years.