Fr. Donan McGovern OFM
Fr. Donan McGovern, OFM, 82 years of age, a professed Franciscan friar for 60 years and a priest for 55, died in his room at St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, on Tuesday, October 12, 2010, apparently of a heart attack.
He was born Robert E. McGovern on Sept. 24, 1928 in Forest Hills (Queens), New York to Thomas and Mary (Rutledge) McGovern. He attended PS 144 in Forest Hills and graduated from Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn in 1947. Later that year, he enrolled at St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary where he studies for two years.
Fr. Donan was received into the Order of Friars Minor in Holy Name Province August 12, 1949 at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., and professed his first vows there August 14, 1950 before Very Rev. Thomas Plassmann, OFM.
He then studied philosophy at St. Stephen Friary in Croghan, N.Y. and St. Anthony Friary in Butler, N.J., receiving his BA from St. Bonaventure University in 1952. He then studied theology at Holy Name College in Washington, DC., from 1952-56.
He made his final profession of vows there Sept. 17, 1953, and was ordained to the priesthood at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, June 9, 1955 by Archbishop Amleto Cicognani, Apostolic Delegate to the US.
Following his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. McGovern served briefly as assistant pastor at St. Richard Church, Emporia, Va. (1956-57) and St. Thomas Parish, Beach Haven, NJ (1957-1959), and then volunteered for the Province’s mission in the Alto La Paz region of Bolivia, where he served for twelve years (1959-71).
He then returned to ministry in the United States, serving as assistant pastor in
St. Joseph Parish, East Rutherford, N.J. (1971-75), St. Francis Chapel, Providence, R.I. (1975-77), and Holy Cross Parish, Bronx, N.Y. (1977-79). He then served for ten years (1979-89) as promoter for the Franciscan Missionary Union, based at St. Francis Friary, New York, N.Y.
In 1989, he came to New England to serve on the pastoral staff of St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, Mass., where he remained until his death, except for a two year interval (1993-95) at the Franciscan Center in Wilmington, Del. Besides serving on the daily schedule of Masses and confession, Fr. McGovern was very active in working on retreats for Engaged Encounter and with people in recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous.
He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Margaret Mary Lemieux, and many nieces and nephews.
The Friars will greet the body on Sunday, October 17th at 4:00 PM in the First Floor Church of Saint Anthony Shrine, 100 Arch Street, Boston. Viewing will conclude with a Wake Service at 7:00 PM in the First Floor Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Second Floor Church Monday, October 18th at 11:00 AM. All are invited.
Guestbook Entries
To Father Donan’s personal and Franciscan family-
My sympathy on the loss of a wonderful priest and brother whom God inspired to touch so many in his life here on earth, carrying the message of Christ and Saint Francis.
He is now happily reunited with his heavenly family enjoying his eternal reward, praying for those he loved in this life.
Thank God for blessing us with Father Donan.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
Fr. McGovern was an incredibly holy man- his actions mirrored the Lord’s. His compassion for those suffering was abundant and genuine. I am forever grateful to the Lord for having had the opportunity to know him. May God rest his soul.
HE WAS A POWER OF EXAMPLE HELPING MANY OF US HEAL
GOD BLESS HIM A TRULY HUMBLE MAN
What a gift to have had Father Donan in our lives! He welcomed us to Boston as part of the Franciscan family (Go, Bonnies….) and cheered us during some very dark times. Boston and all his families will so miss him.
How do you sum up in few words what someone like Fr Donan gave that touched and changed so many lives mine included. For all of us who you gave hope when we had none, love when we did not feel worthy, and Guidance to lead us back home to God and the Church , we will be forever grateful. We will all miss you. Your family in Hudson Valley Beginning Experience.
Fr Donan was a peppy little man with a great big heart. He led our ministry (Beginning Experience of the Hudson Valley) with love, understanding and kindness to all. We will miss the times we thought he was lost and would send people out to look for him. He would appear again suddenly without a care in the world and say I wasn’t lost. I know now that he wasn’t, we were.. I hope he has all the vanilla ice cream he wants. I will always remember that smile. It was contagious. He lived life to the fullest and helped everyone around him to do the same. We will miss you Donan.
You were truly a father to us.