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Rev. Joseph A. Smith, O.S.A. (1906 - 1974)

Rev. Joseph A. Smith, O.S.A. entered eternal life December 31, 1974.

Joseph Augustine Smith was born December 21, 1906 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Martin and Julia (Horahan) Smith. He was Baptized January 6, 1907 at the Catholic Church of the Visitation, Philadelphia. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation April 15, 1914 in the same church.

After attending minor seminary, he was received into the Augustinian Novitiate June 25, 1924. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine June 26, 1925 and solemn (permanent) vows June 26, 1928.

He earned a B. A. in Philosophy and an M. A. in French from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania. He did theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a Priest June 9, 1931.

Father Smith was assigned in 1932 to teach at Cascia Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma. When the new Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest) was established in 1941, he became affiliated to that Province and was appointed Prior (local superior) of Cascia Hall Monastery.

From 1944 to 1947 he was Assistant Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Church, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, and Prior of the Augustinian Community there. He taught from 1947 to 1952 at St. Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois. When Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, Michigan, opened its doors in 1952, he was transferred there as a member of the first faculty. He also served as the first Prior there.

He returned in 1959 to St. Thomas High School, Rockford, where he was Teacher and Prior. He was again assigned in 1962 to St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Parish, where he was Assistant Pastor and Prior. From 1968 to 1971 he was Prior at Austin Catholic High School, Detroit. He retired in 1971 and continued to reside in the Friary at Austin.

While visiting his family in Rochester, New York, Father Smith suffered a heart attack. He died there December 31, 1974.

Father Smith is remembered as a man of peace. He was a quiet man who was at peace with himself and with others. He was a peacemaker who gave support and encouragement to all, particularly to his fellow Augustinian friars.

He was originally buried in the Augustinian plot at Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania. When that cemetery was relocated to the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, in 1980, Father Smith’s body was moved there.

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, 5401 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago, IL 60615-5664, or via Augustinian Guild Secure On-line Giving.