Xavier Cox, OFM

1908 – 1961

Fr. Xavier Cox was born on Sept. 7, 1908 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He attended Fordham University in the Bronx, N.Y., and obtained a bachelor’s degree in 1930. In 1934, he was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure, Paterson, N.J., professing temporary vows one year later. He made his solemn profession and ordination in 1938.

His first assignment was to Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., where he taught philosophy and worked in the bursar’s office. Fr. Xavier wanted to preach more than teach, and in 1942, he was assigned to St. Francis Friary in New York City as a member of the Province’s Mission Band. Two years later, he was asked to return to Siena College to take over the bursar’s office and the bookstore. When World War II ended and enrollment at Siena College boomed, Fr. Xavier organized the office and increased paperwork with professionalism and efficiency.

In 1948, Fr. Xavier became vice president of Siena College. In 1950, he received permission to join the Mission Band and his ministry of preaching retreats and parish missions was undertaken. When the Province initiated a fifth year of theology studies at St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, in 1957, Fr. Xavier was chosen to be dean and director of the program. He taught homiletics, and continued to preach missions and retreats.

He died on Oct. 26, 1961 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton, Mass. Fr. Xavier was 53 years old, a professed friar for 26 years, and a priest for 23 years.