Born Daniel Welch on April 6, 1902 in Newburyport, Massachusetts, he went to parochial school and then to Newburyport High School. For a while he worked in the post office. He professed his vows on August 15, 1926. His religious name was Xavier. He was ordained on May 22, 1932 by Bishop Thomas J. Walsh...
Archives: Biographies
Biography
Father Xavier Sutton, C.P., Holy Cross Province (1852-1926)
Born James Sutton on September 22, 1852 in Tiffin, Ohio, he received his early education at St. Xavier’s College, Cincinnati, Ohio. At the age of twenty he entered the Passionist novitiate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He professed his vows on December 1, 1873. His religious name was Xavier. He was ordained on October 18, 1879. He...
Biography
Father Xavier Praino, C.P., Holy Cross Province (1905-1956)
Born on April 27, 1905 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, his family later moved to Norwood, Massachusetts. He professed his vows on November 20, 1927 and was ordained on December 20, 1931. In October 1942 Father Praino entered the Navy and left that service on August 14, 1953 with the rank of lieutenant Commander. During those years...
Biography
Brother Xavier McNamee, C.P., St. Paul of the Cross Province (1867-1952)
Born James McNamee on June 3, 1867 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was the son of James McNamee and Anna McSwigan. For a short time he worked in the glass and steel mills of Pittsburgh. Then, in his mid twenties entered the Passionist novitiate in Pittsburgh. He professed his vows on October 5, 1892 and received...
Biography
Father Xavier Gonter, C.P., St. Paul of the Cross Province (1890-1976)
Born in Wellsville, New York on August 3, 1890 he was the son of Frederick and Hannah Sullivan Gonter. He entered the Passionists and professed his vows in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on May 25, 1909. He was ordained a priest on May 30, 1917 by Bishop Paul J. Nussbaum, C.P. at St. Michael’s Church, West Hoboken,...
Biography
Father Winfred McDermott, C.P., St. Paul of the Cross Province (1900-1967)
Born on May 25, 1900 he was the son of Patrick J. McDermott and Winifred Finn. After a local education he attended Boston College and Saint Anslem’s College. During a retreat in his senior year, with the assistance of his spiritual director he decided to enter the Passionists. On November 21, 1926 he professed his...
Biography
Father Winfrid Guenther, C.P., St. Paul of the Cross Province (1894-1959)
Born Edward Guenther on March 10, 1894, he was the son of James and Clare Miller Guenther. He grew up in Pittsburgh and professed his vows there on June 22, 1913, receiving the name Winfred. Before he joined the Passionists he did commercial training and banking. Studies prior to ordination took place at St. Mary’s,...
Biography
Father William Whelan, C.P., St. Paul of the Cross Province (1912-1976)
Born John Joseph Whelan on February 22, 1912 in Jersey City, New Jersey, his parents Joseph Whelan and Charlotte Vogel called him “Tibby.” He met the Passionists by way of the parish missions they conducted in his home parish of St. John’s, Jersey City. In 1925 he went to Holy Cross Seminary, Dunkirk, New York....
Biography
Father William Westhoven, C.P., Holy Cross Province (1895-1990)
Born September 2, 1895 in Liberty Center, Ohio, he was the son of Joseph Westhoven and Elizabeth Connolly. After schooling in Liberty Center he went to St. Joseph’s College, Renssalear, Indiana operated by the Society of the Precious Blood. After completing the two year course he returned to his home area to become a teacher....
Biography
Father William Steil, C.P., Holy Cross Province (1906-1985)
Born William Joseph Steil in Emmetsburg, Iowa on February 1906, he was the son of John J. Steil and Elizabeth McCoy. He attended St. Mary’s Grammar School and High School and then was employed as a stenographer in a local law firm in Emmetsburg. In 1929 he was appointed Deputy County Treasurer of Palo Alto...