1874 – 1925 (January 31)
Bernard Joseph O’Donnell, son of Patrick and Mary O’Donnell, was born in Foundryville, Pennsylvania, on February 11, 1874. On September 18, 1894, he entered the novitiate at Villanova and professed simple vows in September 19, 1895 and solemn vows on the same day in 1898. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Sebastian Martinelli, O.S.A., on September 29, 1898.
Father O’Donnell’s first assignment was to the parish of Our Mother of Good Counsel, Bryn Mawr. That same year he was transferred to Saint Laurence O’Toole Parish, Lawrence, Massachusetts. In 1901, he was assigned to Cuba and in 1902 became vice-president of the Colegio there. In 1906 he was transferred from Havana to Saint James Parish, Carthage, New York. In 1908 he was called to Villanova as vice-president of the College where he remained until June, 1911 when he resigned his position because of his health. In 1913 he went briefly to Schaghticoke, New York, and then returned to Villanova. In 1914 he was assigned briefly to Staten Island, New York, but shortly after and until his death he labored in various diocesan parishes in Richmond, Virginia, Salt Lake City, Utah, and New Orleans, Louisiana.
Father O’Donnell died on January 31, 1925 of heart failure. His Requiem Mass was celebrated at Mater Dolorosa Church in New Orleans, in which city he was also buried.
