Michael J. Murphy, O.S.A.

1874 – 1929 (November 17)

Michael John Murphy, son of William Murphy and Margaret Riordan, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 3, 1874 and was baptized at Saint Augustine Church there on November 8, of the same year. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania in 1895, and made his simple profession on May 4, 1896. He was solemnly professed on May 13, 1899, and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Ryan on May 27, that year.

After ordination, Father Murphy taught for 15 years at Villanova. In 1914, he was stationed at Saint Denis’ in Ardmore, and in 1915 was assigned to Saint Augustine’s, Philadelphia. Father Murphy returned to Villanova to teach philosophy in the College and the Scholasticate. His next teaching assignments were at Saint Rita High School, Chicago and Saint Peter’s in Aurora, Illinois.

Father Murphy was 55 when he died at Saint Peter’s on November 17, 1929 of heart disease. He is buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova.