Catholic Review Capuchin Franciscan Father Benjamin Madden, Cumberland native, dies at 90

A funeral Mass for Capuchin Franciscan Father Benjamin Madden was offered July 21 at the Shrine of Ss. Peter and Paul in Cumberland.

Father Madden, who was a childhood parishioner of Ss. Peter and Paul, died July 14. He was 90.

Born Francis Madden, Father Madden entered St. Fidelis Seminary in Pennsylvania after completing elementary school at Ss. Peter and Paul. He was invested in the Capuchin habit on July 13, 1952, and given the religious name of Benjamin.

Father Madden professed his first vows as a Capuchin at St. Conrad Friary in Annapolis in 1953. He made his solemn profession of vows in 1956 and was ordained a Capuchin priest in 1958 after completing studies at St. Fidelis Seminary and Capuchin College in Washington, D.C.

Father Madden studied linguistics at the University of Oklahoma and education at The Catholic University of America in Washington. He later earned a graduate degree in Canon Law from Catholic University.

Most of his ministry was as a missionary to Papua, New Guinea. He also served in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Capuchin Franciscan Father Benjamin Madden, Cumberland native, dies at 90

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