1900 – 1973 (September 27)
John Raymond Brennan was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, November 1, 1900, to Henry Brennan and Lillian Mundie, and was baptized at Immaculate Conception Church in that city. Following his elementary and high school education, he entered the Order in 1918, and professed first vows on June 25, 1919, and solemn vows on the same date in 1922. He graduated from Villanova College in 1922, and continued there to study theology. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Thomas Walsh of Trenton, New Jersey, on August 2, 1925, at Villanova.
In 1926, Father Brennan was assigned to Malvern Preparatory School. In 1935 he joined the Mission Band of the Province, and continued in this ministry until 1946 when he was assigned to Saint Mary’s Parish, Lawrence, Mass.
Shortly after arriving in Lawrence, Father Brennan fell ill and continued to suffer for the remaining years of his life. In 1955 he was transferred to the Villanova Monastery where he remained until his death.
Father Brennan died suddenly on September 27, 1973, at the age of 72. The Funeral Liturgy was celebrated at St. Mary’s Hall, Villanova on October 1st, after which he was buried in the community cemetery at St. Mary’s Hall, Villanova. His remains were later transferred with those of many other friars to Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.
