Fr. Lazor was baptized on February 8, 1925, at Saint Mary Roman Catholic Slovak Church in Mahanoy City, PA. He received his education at Saint Mary’s Parochial School (1930-1938) and Mahanoy City Public High School (1938-1942), Mahanoy City, PA.

In 1942 he went as a postulant to Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, NY. He was received into the novitiate on September 9, 1943, and after his year as a novice at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, NY, he professed simple vows on September 10, 1944. He received a BA in Philosophy from Villanova College (1944-1948) and professed solemn vows on September 10, 1948. He began his theological studies at Augustinian College (1948-1951), Washington, DC, and completed these studies in Rome (1951-1952), receiving the Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University. He then studied at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome (1952-1956) and received the Licentiate in Sacred Scripture in 1956. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John McNamara on June 5, 1951 at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC.

Fr. Lazor was assigned to Augustinian College in 1957 and remained there until 1971, during which time he served as Sub-Master of Professed (1957-1958), Master of Professed (1958-1968), Moderator of Provincial Higher Studies (1965-1968), and Prior (1968-1971). Throughout these 14 years, he taught Sacred Scripture to the theological students at Augustinian College, and then to the theological students of the religious communities who founded the Washington Theological Coalition in 1968.

In 1971, Fr. Lazor came to Saint Thomas Monastery and Villanova University, where he lived for the rest of his life. At the university he taught Sacred Scripture as associate professor in the Theology and Religious Studies Department, until his retirement in 2006. He was chaplain of the university’s basketball and football teams and an ardent fan of all of the university’s sports teams. He ministered on weekends throughout his priesthood, serving in parishes in Mahony City, PA and Phoenixville, PA.

He was an example of dedication to prayer, the liturgy and the religious life. He preached many retreats and days of recollection, and never turned down the opportunity to share with others his love for the Word of God. He was inspired by St. Jerome’s dictum: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” He saw his ministry as a means to bring others closer to the Lord that he knew and served.

Fr. Lazor passed away on January 14, 2007, at Haverford Rehabilitation Center in Havertown, PA. A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated January 18 at St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the Villanova University campus. Fr. Lazor is buried at Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

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While seldom agreeing with him on theological issues, I will always revere his tenacity of faithfilledness and his fierce loyaly to Villanova basketball.

I recall, this past Provincial chapter in June, 2006, his sharing with all of us the story of his vocation. He was proud to be an Augustinian. I had him in class at Villanova as an undergratuate student and remember him being a good teacher, willing to entertain questions, very spiritual with a love for the Word of God. I had the unique honor of administering to him the Anointing of the Sick at Bryn Mawr Hospital the Sunday before he died. He was a good, dedicated, loyal Augustinian and priest.

I had 4 Masters of Professed during my seminary career. Frs. Lazor and Duffy were the best. They were kind and understanding and true men and priests who always cared for their charges. Fr. Lazor doesn't need our prayers but we need his for I know he is already in heaven.

Father Lazor will be deeply missed by the Villanova Community. I had Father as a Professor at VU and I knew him because I played basketball for VU. He took a great interest in the Women's Basketball team as well as the men's. He baptized my children and was always there to listen to problems and to give you strength when you needed it. He was so spiritual and had a wonderful devotion to Villanova.

Reflection by Francis X. Bernard:

Fr. Lazor taught me at the Washington Theological Union in 1960-70. He was a good teacher, and certainly a very faith filled person. I remember that we seminarians named our house dog, "Barney," after him, but he took it all in good spirits. He was a serious and spiritual man, but he also knew how to laugh at himself. May in Reign with the Lord in Glory forever.

Reflection by Bob Coumbe:

My four years at Augustinian College are memorable and Fr. Lazor is part of those fond and important days in my life. I remember him as a kind, understanding and fair master of Professed. His sense of humour helped many of us through difficult times. Good speed, Barney Lazor, and thank you.

Reflection by Jack McCabe, DDS:

I was with Barney at New Hamburg from 6/43 until 6/44. To say that he was a most gentle soul would be only part of the story. In March of 2006, I re-established contact with Barney and other friends from those days at the Novitiate and found him to be the same gentle, friendly and open individual of years past. This news comes with a deep sense of sadness. I will pray for him...but wonder if the prayer, instead, should be TO him.

Reflection by Maj. Gil Macklin, USMC (Ret):

A really wonderful man. Keystone of the Villanova Augustinian Community. Got my brother-in-law some tickets (when none could be gotten) to a VU-St.Joe's B-B game... because he was going overseas and I was bugging him. Great educator and friend. Semper Fidelis, Fr. Lazor!

Anonymous Reflection:

A good man.

Reflection by Jim Carlin:

I remember Fr. Lazor as a kind and gentle man who always had a smile. He loved to tell stories of Mahanoy City when I knew him in Washington.

Fr. Lazor was a great priest in the Augustinian tradition. He was a lover of the Lord, the Scripture, the Order and Villanova - students, alumni and faculty. May he rest in peace.

Reflection by Donna/Joe Dwyer and Sons:

We tnank you for the sacraments you gave us, your dedication to God and the Augustinians, teachings, and of course our many conversations of football and basketball. Thank you for all the tickets, the memories, your loving wildcats. Beat Nortre Dame forever. Will miss you, Fr.Barney.

I will always remember fondly Father Bernie and his service to Sacred Heart Church in Phoenxiville. Many of my childhood memories related to our church include Father Bernie. He was a kind and caring man. His presence at Sacred Heart will be most surely missed.

"JTWEBMM JT Web Medical Missionary" Judith, Tobit, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, Maccabees I and Maccabees II! I still remember Fr. Lazor's acronym for the deutero-canonical books of the Old Testament! I warmly recall Fr. Lazor as a wonderfully kind, gentle and spiritual lover of the Word and was very much influenced by him to consider making Scripture my area of theological study.

(thoughts of Fr. Bernard I was moved to write during my trip to his wake/funeral)

Fr. Bernard was many things to many people:

• Aproud Pennsylvania of Slovak descent.
• A star high school athlete and scholar
• A talented Roman Catholic priest
• A Rome-educated professor of Theology
• A proud alumnus and chaplain to Villanova University's football and basketball teams (for over 25 years)
• A valued board member for Villanova's alumni association
• A passionate sports fan and golfer
• The most adored and respected cousin of the Western & Easter PA Lazor families.
• A true role model.
• An authentic hero and true modern day "patron saint".

And from my first encounters when I was around age 6 in the mid 1950's, Fr. Bernard (or Fr. Bernie, or "Barney", as many also knew him) would command a presence & reverence like I had never known. I think we now call that charisma, but charisma only begins to explain the attention & respect he received from each one of our family members, young or old, adult or child.

We listened attentively to every word he spoke; joke or story told; homily or prayer offered; and waited for his blessing before he, or we would ever depart his presence.

Although 25 years my senior, Fr. Bernard was always the first of his peer group (my uncles) to join in any football or baseball game we younger cousins would start. And, I certainly have Fr. Bernard to thank for being my best and most often golfing partner when he visited our "side" of Pennsylvania.

Yes, I discovered at an early age what my elder relatives (from my grandparents through all of my 16 or so aunts and uncles)had already known about Fr. Bernard. He was not just a special Lazor family member, he was a very special person -- our gift from God who was also dedicating his life's works to God.

It turns out we shared him with so many of you over the years. We were indeed blessed and thankful that he played a special role in so many of our lives. He presided over baptisms, funerals and weddings alike. He must have done our weddings well. Of the nearly dozen or so I remember (including our daughter's in Houston just five years ago), all are still together, with the longest soon approaching 50 years. (Mine is nearing 35.)

I represent the Western PA Lazors when I write these words in appreciation for Fr. Bernard (and to our Holy Father for having given us this special person as His special gift). Our lives were all tremendously enriched by his presence.

If Fr. Bernard had been here with us for one last time, I'm sure the last thing he would have done before leaving us (like he always did) would be to extend to us his heartfelt blessing which would include an appreciation for our gathering, for our lives in general, and for our many gifts and talents, as well as his wish for our health and successful futures.

So, as my final request: Let's assume Fr. Bernard IS still with us (at least in spirit) and let's pause, in a moment of silence, to hear in our minds, Fr. Bernard's parting prayer and blessing for each of us.

God, thank you for sharing your blessed servant with us, and may we continue to honor You and him with our own lives even without him. God bless Fr. Bernard, our beloved cousin, and spiritual leader!

Just a little note of how even a simple moment can highlight how special Fr. Bernard can be. I am a second cousin to Father and a member of the Western PA clan, which is notorious for being the “cousins by the dozens” group. Here’s the note:

When I was 6, my identical twin bother and I sat watching as the rest of my cousins and older brothers played a game of golf with “the man in black” from the eastern part of the state. The golf club manager said that we were too young. We were disappointed to say the least. Yet, after the golf game we were introduced and Father took the time to sit and talk with us. From that day forward, he figured out what most of my cousins didn’t - he was able to tell my identical twin and me apart. As I look back over the 40 years since and the many visits he made to Western PA for the various religious ceremonies, he would always address me correctly. He made me feel special. As I grew, I began to realize that Father made everyone feel special. Father took the time to share.

Isn’t this a glimpse of God?

Thank you Father for sharing with us all.

Reflection: 1/19/07

I had the pleasure of knowing Father Lazor when I attended Villanova in the mid 1970's as my Religion Teacher and as team chaplain.

His Religion class was one I always looked forward to attending. He had a way of making the subject matter so very interesting.

As team Chaplain, he was always there for us with an encouraging word. He was a true Gentleman and will be greatly missed.

Such a kind man with a quiet strength that inspired so many.