January 27 is the anniversary of Emile H. Mission.

Emile Hernandez Mission, son of Emile J. Mission and Anna Hernandez, was born in New York City on June 24, 1893. At the age of four his family moved to Atlantic City, NJ where his primary education was obtained in the public schools there. In September of 1908, he enrolled at the Augustinian Preparatory Scholasticate, Saint Rita Hall, Villanova, and was received as a novice on June 20, 1912. He professed simple vows on June 20, 1913m and solemn vows on June 23, 1916. Following his philosophical studies at Villanova was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1916. Upon completion of his theological training he was ordained to the priesthood at Saint Charles Seminary, Overbrook, on June 8, 1919, and offered his first Mass at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church, Atlantic City.

Father Mission’s entire priestly life was devoted to attending to the spiritual needs of the parishioners. His first assignment was to Saint Paul Parish, Mechanicville, NY (1919), followed by appointments to Saint James Church, Carthage, NY (191-1920); Saint Mary’s, Lawrence, MA (1920-1927); Saint Paul, Mechanicville (1927-1929); Immaculate Conception, Hoosick Falls (1929-1932); Our Mother of Good Counsel, Bryn Mawr (1932-1939); Our Lady of Good Counsel, Staten Island 91939-1947); Saint Mary’s Lawrence (1947-1955); Saint Thomas of Villanova, Rosemont (1955-1959), elected prior there in 1956; prior of Saint Augustine community, Marianao, Cuba (1959-1961); Our Lady of Angels, Jacksonville, FL (1962-1964); saint Mary’s, Lawrence (1964-1966). He retired to Saint Thomas Monastery, Villanova.

Father Mission cherished a deep devotion to Our Lady and led many pilgrimages to various Marian shrines. He loved all sports and delighted in organizing and managing athletic programs for the youths of our parishes. A slow learned, he was graced with a retentive memory; a stickler for rubrics, he thoroughly believed in the right way of doing things, if, now and then, his way. Persistent sickness dictated his taking residence at Rosemont Manor where he died on January 27, 1973, at the age of 79.

Father Mission is buried in the Augustinian plot and Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.

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