Born Joseph Pierce Duffy, he attended St. Columba’s Grammar School, New York City until his family moved to West Hoboken, New Jersey where he completed elementary schooling in St. Michael’s School. For a year he studied at Xavier High School, Manhattan, New York and in 1910 entered the Passionist Preparatory Seminary, St. Mary’s, Dunkirk, New York. On June 23, 1913 he professed his Passionist vows in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On December 18, 1920 he was ordained a priest by Bishop John J. O’Connor of Newark, New Jersey at St. Michael’s Monastery Church, West Hoboken. He completed sacred eloquence in 1922. From that point on he was a mission preacher, completing six hundred and sixty-six missions. During this time he was an assistant pastor at St. Michael’s Church and Superintendent of St. Michael’s High School, Union City, New Jersey from 1929 until 1931. From 1932 until 1935 he was rector of St. Ann’s Monastery, Scranton, Pennsylvania and professor of sacred eloquence from 1936 until 1942. From 1942 until 1943 he was an associate editor of Sign Magazine but returned to retreat work because of the shortage of retreat masters. From 1943 until 1950 he preached retreats in West Springfield, Massachusetts, Pittsburgh, and Jamaica, New York. He was, says his obituary, the only Passionist to appear on the nationally broadcast Catholic Hour. As a preacher he had a rich command of the English language. In his later years he suffered from bouts with anxiety. He died in St. Mary’s Hospital, Hoboken, New Jersey of a heart attack.
Birth Date:
January 1, 1970
Profession Date:
June 23, 1913
Ordination Date:
December 18, 1920
Death Date:
January 15, 1967
Religious Name:
Alfred of the Mother of God Duffy