Confrater Walter Cassels, C.P., St. Paul of the Cross Province (1878-1897)

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Born on February 26, 1878 in Attleboro Falls, Massachusetts, he was the son of Francis Cassels and Ellen Harrington. He attended a parish mission conducted by the Passionists and desired to enter. At sixteen he was accepted at the Passionist Preparatory Seminary, St. Mary’s, Dunkirk, New York. After seventeen months he went to the novitiate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he professed his vows on November 21, 1896. His profession was delayed for two months due to an attack of typhoid. After profession he was sent to Cincinnati, Ohio to commence his studies prior to ordination. On the afternoon of June 17th the seminarians went for a walk along the Ohio River and then went bathing. While Walter Cassels was a fair swimmer, he went out to deeper water and then suffered cramps. He cried for help but could not be rescued.