Deceased Friars

Valerian De Rome, OFM

Valerian De Rome

1902 – 1969

Fr. Valerian De Rome, OFM, was born in Paterson, N.J., on June 19, 1902. He attended St. Bonaventure Grammar and High School, and entered St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., in 1915.

He was received into the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson Aug. 11, 1919, and professed temporary vows Aug. 12, 1920. Fr. Valerian made his profession of solemn vows Aug. 13, 1923, and was ordained a priest at St. Bonaventure Church on July 4, 1926, the same church he was baptized in.

His first assignment was to the novitiate at St. Bonaventure as assistant master of novices until 1931. From 1931 until his death, he devoted himself to the parish ministry of Holy Name Province with enthusiasm and zeal.

From 1931 to 1943 he was pastor of St. Leo’s in Elmwood Park, N.J. He also served as pastor and guardian of Holy Name Church and Friary in Garfield, N.J., and pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Wood-Ridge, N.J. In 1955, Valerian became pastor and guardian of St. Joseph’s in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. In 1961, he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph’s in Callicoon, and in 1964, he became pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Obernburg, N.Y.

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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Valerian De Rome, OFM

Valerian De Rome

1902 – 1969

Fr. Valerian De Rome, OFM, was born in Paterson, N.J., on June 19, 1902. He attended St. Bonaventure Grammar and High School, and entered St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y., in 1915.

He was received into the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson Aug. 11, 1919, and professed temporary vows Aug. 12, 1920. Fr. Valerian made his profession of solemn vows Aug. 13, 1923, and was ordained a priest at St. Bonaventure Church on July 4, 1926, the same church he was baptized in.

His first assignment was to the novitiate at St. Bonaventure as assistant master of novices until 1931. From 1931 until his death, he devoted himself to the parish ministry of Holy Name Province with enthusiasm and zeal.

From 1931 to 1943 he was pastor of St. Leo’s in Elmwood Park, N.J. He also served as pastor and guardian of Holy Name Church and Friary in Garfield, N.J., and pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Wood-Ridge, N.J. In 1955, Valerian became pastor and guardian of St. Joseph’s in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. In 1961, he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph’s in Callicoon, and in 1964, he became pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Obernburg, N.Y.