Born Michael Leo Prendergast on August 25, 1901 in Alliance, Nebraska, he was the son of John and Balinda Walgren Prendergast. He attended public school at Alliance and Sutton, Nebraska. In 1912 the family moved to Dubuque, Iowa and he finished grade school at St. Anthony’s in that city. He studied at the former Loras College High School. When he was older he worked as a janitor at the parochial school in Dubuque and as a grocery delivery boy. In 1919 he entered the Passionist Preparatory Seminary, Normandy, Missouri. He then went on to the novitiate and professed his vows on October 9, 1921. He was ordained December 22, 1929 at St. Gabriel’s Monastery, Des Moines, Iowa. He returned to Louisville, Kentucky, where he had been during studies, to hold the position of vice-master. In 1935 he was appointed assistant pastor at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville. He was later pastor for one year at St. Rita’s church, Sierra Madre, California. He was also vice-rector and rector there at Sierra Madre. For five years he was the promotion coordinator for Sign Magazine. This Passionist magazine relied on the permission given by bishops and pastors to preach about the magazine in order to gain subscriptions. Over the years his health was poor. For instance in 1948 and 1949 he had ulcers. He died at Daneo Hall, Chicago, Illinois.
Birth Date:
August 25, 1901
Profession Date:
October 9, 1921
Ordination Date:
December 22, 1929
Death Date:
April 14, 1974