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Rev. James P. Lyne, O.S.A. (1904-1976)

Rev. James P Lyne, O.S.A. entered eternal life December 4, 1976.

James Patrick Lyne was born January 4, 1904 in County Kerry, Ireland to Michael and Margaret (Cahill) Lyne. He was Baptized January 6, 1904 at St. Agatha Catholic Church, Glenflesk, County Kerry, Ireland. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation May 6, 1915 in the same church.

As a young man he immigrated to the United States. He entered the Augustinian program of formation while in his early 20's. After studying at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, he was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 10, 1929. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 11, 1930 and solemn (permanent) vows September 11, 1933.

He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, and did theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He also studied at Catholic University of America, Washington. He was ordained a Priest June 9, 1936.

Father Lyne taught at St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois, from 1937 to 1947, and at St. Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois, from 1947 to 1949. He was named in 1949 the first Rector of Postulants at the new St. Augustine Seminary, Holland, Michigan. He held that position until 1953, when he was assigned to the faculty of Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, Michigan. He taught at Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago, from 1954 to to 1959.

In 1959 he was assigned to St. Joseph Mission House, Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he was Prior (local superior) of the Augustinian community. He was transferred in 1961 to St. Louis, Missouri and named the first Prior of the new Augustinian community at Augustinian Academy in that city.

He taught at Tolentine College, Olympia Fields, Illinois, from 1964 to 1965, and also served as Prior of the Augustinian community there. In 1965 he was named Director of Novices at St. Monica Novitiate, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

He returned in 1968 to Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, where he served as Prior. From 1972 to 1975, he was Associate Pastor of Immaculate Conception/St. Henry Catholic Parish, St. Louis, and Prior of the Augustinian community.

When he was 71 years of age, Father Lyne volunteered to work in the Augustinian Missions in Peru. He resided in 1975 at the Augustinian Center House, Lima, while taking intensive courses in the Spanish language at the Instituto Cultural Peruano-Norteamericano and at the St. James Language School, and ministering to neighborhood residents as well as he could with his limited ability to communicate.

In 1976 Father Lyne wished to travel to the mission territory some 700 miles north of Lima. His reasoning was twofold: First, he believed that this would provide opportunities for progress in learning Spanish. Secondly, because there was a shortage of Priests in northern Peru, he wanted to see if, at his advanced age, he could withstand the rigors of working in that territory.

After a few weeks in the desert parish of San Isidro in Morropón, he traveled up to the mountain parish of Santo Domingo. He spent several days in Santo Domingo, then returned to Morropón. Shortly after his arrival, he began to experience chest pains, which were diagnosed as possible symptoms of a heart attack.

Early the following morning, he was taken to Piura, a city about two hours from Morropón, where there was a hospital. He died there December 4, 1976 in Hospital Obrero. The doctors who attended him refused any remuneration for their services, and said that even though he must have been in great pain from the massive heart attack that he suffered, they had never seen anyone die with such peace and calm.

Father Lyne was one of the most respected men in the Midwest Augustinian Province. His deep spirituality bore fruit in his Christlike kindness and openness to all. By word and example he had a great influence on many of his brothers in Augustine.

Father Lyne is buried in the courtyard next to San Isidro Church, Morropón, Peru.

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