John P.A. Whelan, O.S.A.

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1862 – 1934 (October 13)

John Patrick Augustine Whelan was born in Dublin, Ireland, on January 27, 1862, to Patrick Whelan and Margaret O’Brien. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1881, and made his profession of simple vows on February 2, 1882. He was solemnly professed on February 3, 1885, and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Patrick Ryan on May 23, 1885.

Father Whelan served at Saint Mary’s in Lawrence, Massachusetts; Saint Augustine’s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and in our parishes in New York State at North Troy, Hoosick Falls, and Staten Island. For many years, Father Whelan was on the Province Mission Band and was known as an eloquent and successful preacher. During some years of retirement at Villanova, he was professor of Homiletics at Saint Mary’s Hall. From 1922 to 1924, he published three volumes of his sermons which were entitled Augustinian Sermons. In 1925, he published a volume called Retreat for Augustinians.

Father Whelan died at Villanova on October 13, 1934 at the age of 72. He is buried there in the Community Cemetery.