January 8 is the anniversary of Joseph P. Murray.

Joseph Patrick Murray, son of John Murray and Catherine Sharkey, was born in Philadelphia, on January 22, 1916. His early education was obtained at Saint Columba and Saint Helena parochial schools, La Salle College High School (one year) and Northeast Catholic High School (1931-1934). He entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, NY, as a postulant in September, 1934 and two months later was received as a novice on November 16, 1934. He made first profession of vows at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, NY, on November 17, 1935 and solemn profession on November 17, 1936. After graduation from Villanova with a Bachelor of Arts degree in scholastic philosophy in 1939, he pursued his theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., where he was ordained to the holy priesthood in Trinity College Chapel, Washington, D.C., on May 28, 1942. Father Murray was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Romance Languages by the Catholic University in 1943 and a doctorate in 1948.

Father Murray’s first assignment was as a member of the faculty of the Catholic University of St. Thomas, Marianao, Cuba in 1949. A year later, September, 1950, he was transferred to Merrimack College, North Andover, MA, where he served as a professor until 1960, when he was appointed dean of the faculty and vice-President of the College. On April 13 of the same year the Prior General, Luciano Rubio, honored Father with a lectorate in theology. In 1961 Father Murray suffered a severe heart attack at the College, and after recovering was assigned in September 1961, to the Augustinian Seminary, Staten Island. On the afternoon of January 8, 1962 when he failed to appear in his accustomed place at the evening community exercise, the prior went to his room where he found that the young priest had passed away while reading in his chair.

A gentlemanly, perfectly mannered priest, Father Murray was, was an effective professor, an admired member of the faculty, and a pleasant contributor to Augustinian common life. Dead at 45 Father Murray is buried in the monastery cemetery at Villanova University.

†