1860 – 1929 (December 10)
Michael Joseph Locke, the son of Thomas Locke and Mary Ryan, was born in Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland, on October 8, 1860. He had two sisters and six brothers, one of whom, Joseph, was also a member of our Province. Michael entered the novitiate at Villanova, PA in 1878, professed simple vows on September 27, 1879, completed his undergraduate studies at Villanova and, in 1881, was sent to Rome to pursue theology. He was solemnly professed on September 28, 1882 in Naples, and was ordained to the priesthood at Saint John Lateran, Rome, on March 24, 1883, by Cardinal Raffaele Monaco La Valetta.
From 1885 to 1895, he taught in the Studium at Villanova. He then taught at Saint Monica’s in Rome for four years after which he returned to Villanova to teach again from 1899 to 1901
Beginning in 1905, Father Locke was assigned to various parishes of the Province: Saint Augustine, Philadelphia; Saint Rita, Philadelphia; Saint Augustine, Andover; and at Saint Denis’ in Ardmore. From 1917 until his death, he taught theology at Saint Mary’s Hall, Villanova.
Father Locke died in Philadelphia’s Misericordia Hospital on December 10, 1929 at the age of 69. He is buried at Villanova in the Community Cemetery.
