Rev. Stephen C. Doyle, OFM
Rev. Stephen C. Doyle, OFM, 76 years of age, a professed Franciscan Friar for 54 years and a priest for 48 years, died Friday evening, October 8, 2010 at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass., where he had been a patient since suffering a stroke several weeks ago.
Fr. Doyle was born in Philadelphia, PA, on August 12, 1934, the eighth of nine children of John and Marie (Lawlor) Doyle. He attended Holy Child grammar school and LaSalle High School in that city before discerning a vocation to the Franciscans. He then enrolled at St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, NY, where he studied from 1950-55.
He was received into the Order of Friars Minor at St. Raphael Friary in Lafayette, NJ, July 14, 1955 and professed his first vows there July 15, 1956 before Rev. Celsus Wheeler, OFM. He completed his philosophical at St. Francis College in Rye Beach, NH from 1956-58, receiving a BA from St. Bonaventure University. He then went on to study theology at Holy Name College in Washington, DC from 1958-62. He professed his solemn vows as a Franciscan August 18, 1959 at Christ the King Seminary in Allegany, NY and was ordained to the priesthood March 17, 1962 by Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi, Apostolic Delegate at Mount St. Sepulcher, the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, DC.
Fr. Doyle then pursued graduate studies, receiving a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of America in 1963. He then taught for two years at St. John Vianney Seminary, East Aurora, NY (1963-65), before studying Semitic languages at Catholic University and then Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, where he received a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture in 1967.
Fr. Doyle then devoted himself to an extensive ministry of teaching, preaching and writing. He taught scripture at Christ the King Seminary in Allegany, NY from 1967-69 and then was a member of the retreat team at Christ House, Lafayette, NJ (1969-1971). In 1971 he began his long association with the Boston area, becoming professor of Scripture and Homiletics at Pope John XXIII Seminary, Weston, MA. He resided first at Saint Francis Friary in Brookline, MA where he served on the novitiate team from 1971-75, and then at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston.
For over three decades, he gave workshops on Sacred Scripture and preaching throughout North America and in Latin America, Ireland, India and Japan. In addition to contributions to the New Catholic Encyclopedia and the Catholic Biblical Quarterly, he published a number of books, including Covenant Renewal in Religious Life, Understanding the New Testament, The Pilgrim’s New Guide to the Holy Land, most recently, Apocalypse: A Catholic Perspective on the Book of Revelation. He also made frequent appearances on radio and television and produced a series of videos on the Bible, preaching and the Holy Land.
From 1988-90 he was director of programs for continuing education of clergy at Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Israel. Returning to St. Anthony Shrine in Boston in 1990, he devoted himself full time to his work of preaching, lecturing and writing. He guided well over 100 pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Greece, Asia Minor and Italy and conducted numerous retreats for clergy ad religious. He was listed in Who’s Who Among American Catholics and was made a Knight of Sepulchre.
Fr. Doyle’s activity was limited after suffering a stroke in 2006 and he was assigned to the Franciscan’s retirement facility at St. Anthony Residence, 103 Arch St., Boston until being admitted to the hospital several weeks ago.
Beloved son of the late John T. and Marie (Lawlor) Doyle. Brother of Joseph S. Doyle of Sunapee, NH, James K. Doyle of Wellington, FL, Rev. John T. Doyle, O.S.F.F. of Childs, MD, Gertrude Salerno of Greenwich, CT, Margaret Bouffard of Williamsburg, VA and the late Madelyn Kramer, Jane Donofry and Marie Doyle.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 4:00PM at Saint Anthony Shrine, 100 Arch Street, Boston, MA. There will be no visitation prior to the mass, as Fr. Doyle requested that his body be donated to Harvard Medical School for research. May he rest in peace.
Guestbook Entries
I am saddened to learn of Fr. Stephen Doyle’s death and remember his great smiling face at the Shrine on Arch St. He imparted much knowledge to those who heard him speak and the many who traveled to the Holy Land on his pilgrimages. He certainly has left a long legacy behind him. May he rest in peace with Our Lord and Our Lady.
very sorry to hear of the death of Fr. Stephen Doyle ofm he is and will be well remembered by so many of us who were with him during the time he taught and mentored at Pope John XXIII Seminary a very good man and priest fr jerry hanley class of 73 Blessed John Seminary
I only heard this morning of Father Doyle’s passing. It was always a wonderful experience when he said the daily Mass at lunchtime. He was so intelligent and filled with the joy of his Lord. His singing would fill the whole chapel. I have missed not seeing him these past few years. These past few years must have been so difficult for Father Doyle to have such vitality, and to have one’s body not cooperate.
He said a beautiful mass because you could tell his faith was geniune and alive. I recall his closeness to Our Lady as conveyed in his preaching. May Our Lord greet him now in Heaven, with the words of Venerable Fulton Sheen, ” I heard my Mother speak well of you.”
In thanksgiving of all of the goodness that he brought to us.
I met Father Doyle twice in the late 1960’s.The Mass he said was a devastating celebration that I still remember clearly and often. Afterwards, when we met, his sincerity as a human being was like an oasis in my life.Upon learning that he has completed his work here renews my good fortune of actually having witnessed a person who loves God and us. May He embrace and bless this man.
I am presently attending a 4 week introductory class entitled “What the Catholic Church Teaches About the Bible.” It is being taught by Father Michael Seavey. He noted in our first class that a very special and influential person in his religious life of preaching and teaching was the late Father Doyle, who had once been his faculty advisor as well as one of his seminary teachers.
I, too, remember Father Doyle when he came to Portland, Maine, a few years back, sharing his biblical wisdom to us Catholic laypeople. I treasure his book “The Pilgrim’s New Guide to the Holy Land” and his video “Seeking Jesus in His Own Land.”
He both taught the Cross and carried the Cross. May God bless and embrace him.
I am sad to read of Fr. Stephen’s death. I was a student at CUA in the early 1960’s while he was there and had the priviledge of being at his ordination. May he rest in peace.
I was just reading his book “The Pilgrim’s Guide to the Holy Land” and decided to find out where he was now. Saddened to learn of his death. I was at Tantur in the late 80’s and he led us to the roof tops in Jerusalem. Wonderful teacher! Judy
I am very saddened to learn of Father Doyle’s death but trust that he is with God in heaven.
I never got the opportunity to travel to the Holy Land with one of his tours, but I have read his writings, and they have influenced me profoundly, as both a theology student and a devout Catholic.
May God bless him always and grant him eternal joy and peace.
To my dear friend Fr’. Stephen
May you rest in peace ,in Heaven,Next to the Lord.
Your friend
Amnon Betsser
Israel
Dear Fr Stephen
Merry Christmas wherever you are next to the Lord
You are fully alive with your Holy Land Book
My husband and I travelled to the Holy Land with Fr. Steve for our honeymoon. His knowledge and expertise of the area were truly amazing! As we traveled with our group, we noted other tour groups using his guide book. Since that Pilgrimage we’ve read and heard the Scriptures in a whole new way…Thank You Fr. Steve for sharing your many gifts and love of Life with all of us. Watch over us and our world. With Gratitude, Ann and Michael