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Rev. James S. Reilly, O.S.A. (1903 - 1981)

Rev. James S. Reilly, O.S.A. entered eternal life June 4, 1981.

James Samuel Reilly was born December 8, 1903 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Edward F. and Mary Jane (Mason) Reilly. He was Baptized December 27, 1903 at Annunciation Catholic Church, Philadelphia. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation April 19, 1911 at St. Monica Catholic Church, Philadelphia.

James graduated in 1921 from Roman Catholic High School, Philadelphia. He began undergraduate collegiate studies at Temple University, Philadelphia, in preparation for his work in the fields of accounting and real estate. He entered the Augustinian program of formation in 1927 at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York. He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate September 8, 1928. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine September 10, 1929 and solemn (permanent) vows September 10, 1932.

After professing vows, James completed his college studies, earning a B. A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1932. He then pursued theological studies from 1932 to 1936 at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a Priest June 11, 1935.

After serving briefly during 1936 as Assistant Pastor at Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish, Hoosick Falls, New York, Father Reilly was named Master of Professed at St. Mary's Hall, Villanova. In 1938 he became Procurator (Business Manager) at Villanova College, Villanova.

Father Reilly began in 1941 a long career in parish ministry. He served as Assistant Pastor at St. Denis Catholic Parish, Havertown, Pennsylvania (1941-1959); at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish, Schaghticoke, New York (1959-1961), and at St, Joseph Catholic Parish, Greenwich, New York (1961-1962).

In 1962 he became affiliated to the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest). He was assigned in 1962 as Assistant Pastor at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Detroit, Michigan. He served as Prior (local superior) at Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, Missouri in 1964 and 1965. He was Prior at Tolentine College, Olympia Fields, Illinois, for a short time in 1965. In that year he was elected Econome General (Business Manager) of the Augustinian Order. He served in that office in Rome until 1967, when he tendered his resignation.

Upon his return from Rome in 1967, Father Reilly served briefly as Pastor of St. Gregory Catholic Parish, Galt (now Cambridge), Ontario, Canada. In 1968 he was named Prior of the Augustinian Provincialate, Evanston, Illinois. Later in 1968 he was transferred to St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, where he was Prior until 1971. He remained there until 1972, when he retired to St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery, Villanova. He died there June 4, 1981.

Father Reilly was a friendly and pastoral man. He loved to spend time with people, modeling himself after Christ, the Good Shepherd.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

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