Home > News > Friars Enter Eternal Life > Rev. John R. Mabarak, O.S.A.

Rev. John R. Mabarak, O.S.A. (1933-2005)

Rev. John R. Mabarak, O.S.A. entered eternal life March 27, 2005.

John Richard Mabarak was born December 29, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan to Beshara J. and Katherine (Thomas) Mabarak. He was Baptized April 8, 1934 at St. Maron Syro-Maronite Catholic Church, Detroit. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation May 27, 1945 at St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Church, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan.

John attended Annunciation School, Detroit for two years (1939-41), then completed his elementary education at St. Clare of Montefalco School, Grosse Pointe Park. He received his secondary education at De la Salle High School, which awarded him a diploma in 1951. He then studied for one year at the University of Detroit.

He entered the Augustinian program of formation in 1952 at St. Augustine Seminary, Holland, Michigan. He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate February 2, 1953. He professed simple (temporary) vows February 3, 1954 and solemn (permanent) vows February 3, 1958.

He earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1956. He then pursued theological studies from 1956 to 1960 at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a Priest June 8, 1960.

Father Mabarak taught at St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois, from 1960 to 1962. He taught at Cascia Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1962 and 1963. He taught at Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, from 1963 to 1966.

In 1966 Father Mabarak was named Assistant Pastor of St. Rita Catholic Parish, Chicago. He was transferred in 1967 to St. Matthew Catholic Parish, Flint, Michigan, as Assistant Pastor. He returned to St. Rita Catholic Parish, Chicago, in 1968, again serving as Assistant Pastor.

After a short period of service in 1978 as Assistant Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, he was assigned to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, Illinois, where he served as Chaplain of Bethlehem Center, LaGrange, Illinois during 1978 and 1979.

Father Mabarak was Associate Pastor of St. Anastasia Catholic Parish, Waukegan, Illinois, from 1979 to 1981. He served as Chaplain at St. James Hospital, Chicago Heights, Illinois, in 1982 and 1983. In 1983 he was named Associate Pastor of St. Jude Catholic Parish, Detroit. He became Associate pastor of Assumption Grotto Catholic Parish, Detroit, in 1984. In 1990 he was named Associate Pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish, Lapeer, Michigan.

In 1995, Father Mabarak returned to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, where he was semi-retired. He battled cancer for several years until the time of his death on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2005.

Father Mabarak is remembered for his insatiable quest for information and knowledge. He had a great love for his home city of Detroit.

Father Mabarak 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.