1942 – 1881 (August 28)
Michael Mary O’Farrell, son of Michael O’Farrell and Mary McHale, was born in Castlebar, Ireland, on September 27, 1842. He immigrated to the United States in 1865 and obtained a teaching position as professor of mathematics at Villanova College, having taught the same subject previously in Ireland. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, on January 5, 1866, and professed simple vows on January 19, 1867. He was solemnly professed on January 20, 1870. Following theological studies at Villanova, he was ordained to the priesthood at Saint Augustine Church, Philadelphia, on January 20, 1870, by Bishop Thomas A. Becker, the first bishop of Wilmington, Deleware.
Father O’Farrell was first stationed at Villanova where he was Vice-President of the College and Prefect of Discipline until 1876. For a part of this time he was also a member of the teaching faculty. In 1876 he was assigned to serve on the missions of New York at Lansingburg, and Hoosick Falls, and Carthage. He died at Princetown, New York, on August 28, 1881 at the age of 39. His Funeral Mass was offered on Wednesday, August 31st, after which Father O’Farrell was buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova.
