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Rev. Francis P. Fenton, O.S.A. (1910-1983)

Rev. Francis P. Fenton, O.S.A. entered eternal life May 19, 1983.

Francis Patrick Fenton was born October 17, 1910 in Lawrence, Massachusetts to Eugene and Margaret (Holden) Fenton. He was Baptized October 30, 1910 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Lawrence.

He received his elementary education at St. Mary Catholic School, Lawrence, and his secondary education at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, which granted him a diploma in 1927. He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 8, 1927. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 9, 1928 and solemn (permanent) vows October 18, 1931.

Francis earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1932. He began theological studies in 1932 at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He continued his study of Theology during 1932 and 1933 at the University of Wurzburg, Wurzburg, Germany. Because of an illness, he returned in 1933 to Augustinian College, Washington, where he completed his theological studies in 1935. He was ordained a Priest June 11, 1935. He earned an M.A. in German from Catholic University of America, Washington, in 1936.

Father Fenton was assigned in 1936 to St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois, as a Teacher of German. In 1942 he was transferred to St. Rita Catholic Parish, Chicago, as Assistant Pastor. He was in 1944 named Prior (local superior) of the Augustinian community there.

In 1956 he became Assistant Pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Parish, Flint, Michigan, and Prior of the Augustinian community. In 1959 he was named Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Parish, Chicago, where he also served as Prior. He returned in 1968 to St. Rita Catholic Parish, Chicago, as Pastor. In addition he served on the Province Council from 1968 to 1971 and again from 1975 to 1979.

He retired in 1980 as Pastor of St. Rita, but continued to live there and to assist with various ministries in the parish. He died May 19, 1983 following a long struggle with cancer.

Father Fenton was especially known as an outstanding preacher. He guided many spiritual retreats throughout the United States. He shared his talents in many other ways. His leadership played a significant role in the founding of the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest) in 1941. He was during 1948 and 1949 Executive Director of the Building Fund Drive for Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts. He received in 1958 an honorary Doctor of Education degree from Suffalls University, Boston, Massachusetts.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, Tolentine Center, 20300 Governors Hwy., Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1081.