Tag Archives: Theodore

Interment of Father Theodore Foley, CP

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The remains of Father Theodore Foley, CP (1913-1974), former Superior General of the Passionist Congregation, were received at St. Paul of the Cross Monastery Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on April 28, 2010.

Father Theodore’s cause for beatification and canonization was opened in Rome on May 8,2008.  He was once rector at St. Paul’s Monastery, Pittsburgh.

Most Reverend William J. Winter, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, presided at the reception. Very Reverend Joseph Jones, CP, provincial of St. Paul of the Cross represented the Passionist community, along with Very Reverend Gerald Laba, CP, the rector of St. Paul’s Monastery. A number of guests attended.

Father Theodore’s remains rest under a Crucifixion scene in the rear of the monastery church.

At the service a litany of prayers honored the Passionist Saints:

St. Paul of the Cross, St. Gabriel, St. Gemma, Holy Servant of God, Fr. Theodore. Intercede for us.

You lived the Passion of Jesus and the Sorrows of Mary. Teach us to do the same.

St. Paul, by your example of prayer, penance and preaching the Passion and Resurrection, teach us how to keep the sufferings, death and glory of Jesus alive in our hearts and in the hearts of others.

St. Gabriel, by the way you did ordinary things with extraordinary fidelity to God, and by imitating the life and sentiments of our Blessed Lady, the Mother of Sorrows, teach us the way to respond to the crucified of today who are all around us.

St. Gemma, marked by the wounds of Christ in your own body, lead us to accept our personal and family sufferings, and so fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of his Body, the Church.

Holy Servant of God, Fr.Theodore, by your benevolence, steadfast faith, prayerful heart, personal discipline and spirit of zeal, help us to be like you, an instrument of peace.

All Holy Saints of the Passion, we thank you and ask you to continue to encourage us, and to willingly inspire us to follow Christ prayerfully and willingly. Amen.

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Exhumation of Father Theodore Foley, CP

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On September 28th, 2009, the body of Fr. Theodore Foley was exhumed from the Passionist plot in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Springfield, MA. The Most Rev. Timothy McDonnell, Bishop of Springfield, officiated at the exhumation. Also present were Fr. Joseph Jones, CP, Provincial of St. Paul of the Cross Province and Fr. Dominic Papa, CP, Vice Postulator for the cause of Sr. Theodore. Other officials of the Diocese of Springfield were present.

The coffin was removed from the grave and taken to Sampson Mortuary, where it was opened and the remains of Fr. Foley were verified by the medical examiner of the State of Massachusetts. His body was cleansed and a new habit was placed on him.

His body was then sealed in a zinc container and placed in a mahogany coffin and transported to St. Paul’s Monastery, Pittsburgh.

Fr. Theodore’s body arrived at our monastery church on October 28, 2009, where it was welcomed by Bishop William J. Winter, Fr. Joseph Jones, CP, Fr. Dominic Papa, CP, and the Pittsburgh community. The Passionist Nuns, from Our Lady of Sorrows Monastery, Pittsburgh, were also present.

Fr. Theodore’s body will lie in a marble sarcophagus constructed at the base of the crucifixion scene in the rear of the church.

The Exhumation and Transfer of Theodore Foley, C.P. from Mary Ann Strain on Vimeo.