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Rev. Henry W. McArdle, O.S.A. (1919-1969)

Rev. Henry W. McArdle, O.S.A. entered eternal life February 4, 1969.

Henry William McArdle was born June 8, 1919 in Masontown, Pennsylvania to Edward and Mary Ellen (Ahern) McArdle. He was Baptized June 29, 1919 at All Saints Catholic Church, Masontown. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation May 27, 1931 at the same church.

He received his elementary and secondary education at All Saints School, Masontown, earning his high school diploma in 1936. After a year of post-graduate studies at Augustinian Adademy, Staten Island, New York, he was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 9, 1937.

He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 10, 1938 and solemn (permanent) vows September 10, 1941. He earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1941. He then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D. C. He was ordained a Priest May 18, 1944. He did additional studies at Villanova College, at Catholic University of America, Washington, and at DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois.

Father McArdle was assigned to parish and educational ministries in Cuba, where he remained for five years. He next served at several parishes in New York and Massachusetts. In 1953, at his own request, he was affiliated to the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest).

In 1953 he was assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, where he served as Teacher, Disciplinarian and Band Moderator. In 1960 he became Rector of St. Joseph Mission House, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He returned to St. Rita High School in 1962, and served as Prior (local superior) of the Augustinian Community there.

He was in 1966 appointed Superior of the Augustinian Missions in Peru, South America. Ill health caused him to return to the United States in 1967. He died February 4, 1969.

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.