• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Bishop Robert Barron
          • George Weigel
          • Question Corner
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Suzanna Molino Singleton
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Paul McMullen
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Father T. Austin Murphy Jr.
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • Advertising
  • CR Radio
  • Printing
  • Subscribe
Cardinal William H. Keeler (left)

101-year-old Josephite priest, Father Robert O’Connell dies

Avatar January 19, 2012
By Catholic Review
Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries

A funeral Mass was offered Nov. 27 for Father Robert O’Connell, S.S.J., who at 101 was the longest-lived Josephite priest, one who had served God for 66 years.

Father O’Connell lived at the St. Joseph Manor in Baltimore since he was 90. From 1983 to 1986, he served in Baltimore at both St. Pius V and St. Peter Claver churches.

While at St. Pius V, he was pistol-whipped during a robbery when thieves broke into the rectory. He had to get 20 stitches in his head and he suffered a black eye.

But, said Father Edward J. Mullowney, S.S.J., a former rector, he wasn’t angry at the robbers; he was mad about being portrayed as an old man in the resulting newspaper story.

Father Mullowney recalled that Father O’Connell, a New York native, was a novice master for 14 years at Epiphany College in New York.

“He was a master – he not only formed us in the spiritual life but he also taught us as a master how to enjoy every minute of it,” Father Mullowney said. “He was well-liked; he was serious about the spiritual life but he was always a good friend and a priest’s priest. He was loved as the master.”

Father Matthew O’Rourke recalled that he and Father O’Connell became friends when they were both living in the Josephite headquarters on Calvert Street, where the priests in the house enjoyed conversations with Father O’Connell.

“I think it was his happy approach to life – he was an outwardly happy man,” Father O’Rourke said.

Father O’Connell, who was known for his punctuality, served as associate pastor and pastor in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida and New York, and he served as administrator and member of the Josephite Council in Baltimore and as a delegate to the Josephite Chapter, the Society’s policy convention. He also served as a chaplain to South Baltimore General Hospital in 1968 and at the Villa Maria retirement home in 1972 and 1977.

He marked his 100th birthday with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal William H. Keeler.

Toward the end of his life – he attributed his good health to eating in moderation, exercise and prayer – “he often asked me ‘why is God letting me live so long?’” Father Mullowney recalled. “But I think it’s because he was such a great blessing.”

The Friday before he died, he told Father O’Rourke, “Why is the Lord keeping me all these years? I don’t understand it – I want to go home.”

On Nov. 24, he did.

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Catholic Review

Avatar

The Catholic Review is the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

Latest Local News

Deacon Davis, who served Overlea parish for decades, dies at 84

Archdiocese of Baltimore plans ‘Safe Haven Sunday’ to fight pornography

Pasadena parish cites pandemic in decision to close preschool

Father Snouffer, information technology trailblazer for archdiocese, dies at 83

‘Blessing bags’ a focal point for merged St. Casimir Parish during pandemic

Latest World News

Health care chaplains in Baltimore and beyond embrace self-care in COVID-19 work

Religious order withdraws request to transfer founder’s remains to U.S.

Heroes of love: New pathway open for future saints

Bishops: If passed, Equality Act will ‘discriminate against people of faith

Cardinal prays on CNN program marking 500,000 COVID-19 deaths in U.S.

Catholic Review Radio

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Archbishop Lori reflects on the Year of St. Joseph
  • Health care chaplains in Baltimore and beyond embrace self-care in COVID-19 work
  • Religious order withdraws request to transfer founder’s remains to U.S.
  • Deacon Davis, who served Overlea parish for decades, dies at 84
  • Reason for celibacy/ Blessing for non-sacramental marriage?
  • Archdiocese of Baltimore plans ‘Safe Haven Sunday’ to fight pornography
  • Heroes of love: New pathway open for future saints
  • Some English Catholics object to transfer of nun’s remains to Philadelphia
  • Bishops: If passed, Equality Act will ‘discriminate against people of faith
  • Pandemic Stories (or why there’s a Nerf gun in the tub)

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2021 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED