Home > News > Friars Enter Eternal Life > Rev. Martin J. O'Neill, O.S.A.

Rev. Martin J. O''Neill, O.S.A. (1910 - 1993)

Rev. Martin J. O'Neill, O.S.A. entered eternal life February 27, 1993.

Martin John O'Neill was born June 23, 1910 in New York, New York to Thomas and Alice (Robinson) O'Neill. He had one brother and four sisters. He was Baptized July 17, 1910 at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church, New York.

He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 11, 1930. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 12, 1931 and solemn (permanent) vows September 12, 1934.

He received a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1935. He pursued the course of theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. from 1935 to 1939. He was ordained a Priest June 7, 1938 in Washington.

Father O'Neill was assigned to teach at St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois, in 1939. In 1941, when the Augustinian Province or Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest) was formed, Father O'Neill was affiliated to this new Province.

In 1942 he was assigned to St. Monica High School Seminary, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, as a Teacher. He was transferred in 1944 to Cascia Hall Preparatory School, Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he served as Teacher, Procurator (1944-47) and Assistant Headmaster (1947-59).

Father O'Neill was in 1959 named Rector of Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago. He was also elected to the Province Council in that year. From 1962 to 1965 he served as Principal of Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1965 he returned to Cascia Hall, Tusla, as its Headmaster, a post he held until 1968. From 1968 until 1971, he was in charge of recruiting at Cascia Hall. In 1971 he resumed teaching at Cascia Hall.

Because of failing eyesight, he gradually relinquished teaching duties at Cascia Hall. His years as a senior member of the Cascia Hall community were filled with activities and service for others. He died February 27, 1993, following a long and debilitating heart ailment. He was 82.

Father O'Neill is remembered as a caring and sensitive priest who lived the Augustinian life with a faith-filled spirit.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, Tulsa.

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