1840 – 1912 (January 19)
Francis Michael Sheeran, son of Bernard Sheeran and Bridget Murphy, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on December 6, 1840. He received his high school education in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Villanova in 1857. In 1858, together with Father Middleton, he entered the novitiate at Tolentino, Italy and made his simple profession on October 10, 1859. In May, 1860, he began studies at Sant’Agostino, Rome, and made solemn profession on October 11, 1862. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 19, 1863, at the Lateran Basilica, Rome, by Cardinal Patrizi.
Father Sheeran returned to the United States in 1865, and was stationed at Villanova as Vice President under Father Mullen. In April, 1867, he received the Lectorship from Prior General Belluomini. In 1869 he was assigned to Saint Augustine’s in Philadelphia, and from 1886 to 1890, served as President of Villanova College. In 1890 he was appointed Master of Novices and Professed, and in 1894, prior and pastor at Villanova. Later he served at Saint Denis, Ardmore, PA. from December 1898 to 1902. In the latter year he was transferred to Saint Augustine, Philadelphia.
In 1904, Father Sheeran was assigned to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Atlantic City, N.J., and, two years later, to Our Mother of Consolation, Chestnut Hill, PA. In 1910, he returned to Villanova as a member of the monastery community.
He died at Villanova on January 19, 1912 at the age of 72. His Requiem Mass was offered on January 23, 1912, followed by burial there in the Community Cemetery.
