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Rev. Christopher C. McGrath, O.S.A. (1885-1966)

Rev. Christopher C. McGrath, O.S.A. entered eternal life July 1, 1966.

Christopher Columbus McGrath was born December 14, 1885 in Spring Valley, Illinois to Thomas and Anne (Christopher) McGrath. He was Baptized December 18, 1885 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Peru, Illinois. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation May 17, 1898 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Chicago, Illinois.

Christopher was educated at St. Elizabeth School, St. Gabriel School, and Association Institute, all in Chicago. He then worked in a foundry and as a manual training instructor at the Armour Institute.

At the age of 27, Christopher entered the Augustinian formation program. He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate June 19, 1913. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine June 19, 1914 and solemn (permanent) vows June 24, 1917.

He earned a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1917. He then pursued theological studies at Villanova. He was ordained a Priest May 29, 1920.

Father McGrath's first assignment after ordination was to St. Augustine, Havana, Cuba, in 1921. In 1923 he was assigned to St. Nicholas Catholic Parish, Jamaica, New York. He ministered at St. Paul Catholic Parish, Mechanicville, New York, (1925-1929) and at St. Lawrence Catholic Parish, Lawrence, Massachusetts (1929-1930).

He served on the Augustinian Mission Band from 1930 to 1939. Members of the Mission Band preached at Parish Missions and directed spiritual retreats throughout the United States. He was named Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Parish, Rockford, Illinois, in 1939. He also was Prior (local superior) of the Augustinian community there.

From 1948 to 1956, Father McGrath was Prior at St. Augustine Seminary, Holland, Michigan. In 1956 he was named Prior at St. Monica Novitiate, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Because of declining health, he retired in 1962 to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Monastery, Olympia Fields, Illinois. He suffered a fatal heart attack while sleeping during the night of July 1, 1966.

Father McGrath is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cementery, Alsip, Illinois.

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