February 13 is the anniversary of Robert E. McGrath, O.S.A.

Fr. Robert McGrath, OSA was born in Oxnard, CA in 1910. His family was prominent in ranching with his uncle being instrumental in the foundation of Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, CA. Fr. McGrath claimed to have been the second student enrolled in that institution from which he graduated in 1928. He was the first student from the school to be enrolled the Augustinian Novitiate in New Hamburg, NY.

He graduated from then Villanova College in 1933 and completed his theological studies at Augustinian College in Washington, DC. He was the first alumnus from Villanova Preparatory School to be ordained to the Augustinian Priesthood. He and Fr. David Ryan, OSA were ordained together in Los Angeles in 1936.

His first assignment was to the mission band with Villanova Monastery as his home base. As a member of the mission band he would travel from parish to parish giving retreats. Many of his retreat reflections are preserved in the province archives.

From 1943 until 1945 he taught theology at then Villanova College. At the end of World War II he was given his long-promised obedience as associate pastor of Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Hollywood. In 1951 he was assigned to his alma mater in Ojai and remained there until 1964 serving in many business roles as well as teaching American History, speech, civics, religion, and typing.

He was then re-assigned to Our Mother of Good Counsel Church until 1968 when ill health forced him to resign as prior of the community and curtail his activities. He was then assigned to Casa Adolfo Camarillo serving as the first resident prior of that formation community. He oversaw the beautification of the Camarillo Ranch House which had been proclaimed a State Historic Landmark. Fr. McGrath died in 1973 while working at his desk.

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