Father Aloysius O’Connor, C.P., St. Paul of the Cross Province (1871-1899)

Born July 10, 1871 in Charlestown, West Virginia, at fifteen years old he decided to enter the Passionist novitiate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On September 29, 1887 he professed his vows. Studies followed for two years in Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; and one year in Baltimore, Maryland. He then returned to Louisville until 1894. In August 1894 he was transferred to St.Paul, Kansas which was then known as the Osage Mission. On April 28, 1895 he was ordained a priest by Bishop Fink in St. Francis Church at Osage Mission. On September 26, 1893 he was transferred back to Louisville for six months after which he moved to Baltimore. While in Baltimore he assisted at the monastery and in parishes such as St. Elizabeth’s Church. About six months before his death he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. In order to assist him it was deemed important for a change of climate and he was sent to the Hotel Dieu, El Paso, Texas for care. Leaving Baltimore on February 4, 1899, he arrived there on February 13, accompanied by Father Felix Ward, C.P. He died at the Hotel Dieu Sanitarium.