1932 - 2026
Fr. Francis felt the call to missionary life early. He began his preparation for missionary service in Italy as a high school student in 1945 and completed his initial studies in 1952. After completing his novitiate, he took his first vows as a Xaverian Missionary and was then sent to the United States to continue his formation for the priesthood.
His first years in the US were in Holliston, where he studied at the Marist Seminary in Framingham. He later pursued graduate studies at St. Francis Major Seminary in Milwaukee, WI, and was ordained a priest on February 2, 1959.
Following his ordination, Fr. Francis was assigned to Holliston, where he served the community as Spiritual Director for the high school seminarians as well as treasurer of the community. In 1968, he was named the Rector of the college and graduate student community in Milwaukee.
In 1974, Fr. Francis embraced missionary life abroad when he was assigned to the Brazilian mission of the Xaverians along the Amazon River, serving first as pastor and later as Provincial Superior. His leadership later extended to the global Church when in 1983, he was elected the Vice General of the worldwide Xaverian Communities, based in Rome, travelling to all of the various Xaverian Missions throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
After completing his service in the General Administration, he returned to the USA and took a sabbatical year. In 1993, he was elected the Provincial Superior of the United States, headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey. At the conclusion of that mandate in 2000, he returned to Holliston, serving first as Rector of the community and later from 2003 to 2014 as director of Our Lady of Fatima Shrine. In his later years, he remained in Holliston, assisting the community in any way he could.
Fr. Francis enjoyed a very rich and expansive missionary experience throughout his 67 years of priesthood, and he shared that joy generously with everyone he encountered. He has been very well loved by all who frequent Our Lady of Fatima Shrine and will be deeply missed.
The funeral services for Fr. Francis will begin with a wake service on Monday, February 16th, at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Holliston, followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the Xaverian Community Cemetery at Fatima Shrine. To conclude, there will be a reception at the Shrine Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fr. Francis’s name to the Xaverian Missionaries, 101 Summer Street, Holliston, MA 01746.
