Born March 23, 1848 in Wexford, Ireland he was the son of Martin Rossiter and Bridget Kehoe. He came to the United States as a child and entered the Passionist novitiate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at fifteen. He was professed on March 30, 1864. He was ordained on April 1, 1871 and started his career as a preacher of parish missions. In the spring of 1878 he was elected rector of St. Mary’s Retreat, Dunkirk, New York in order to fill out the term of Father Basil who had died. At the next provincial chapter he was elected rector of Holy Cross Retreat, Cincinnati, Ohio. Three years later he was elected rector of St. Paul of the Cross Monastery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In several monasteries he held the position of vice-rector. In 1889 he was made rector of St. Michael’s Monastery, West Hoboken, New Jersey. Elected again at the next chapter he declined the appointment for health reasons. He suffered from rheumatism. He was then assigned as vice-rector at St. Joseph’s Monastery, Baltimore, Maryland. In 1905 he was elected rector of St. Mary’s, Dunkirk. While he was out on the mission he was considered one of the best catechists. Around Christmas 1905 he became ill. He was taken to Scranton, Pennsylvania for care and then to St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore,Maryland. Right before his death Cardinal Gibbons came to visit him.
Birth Date:
March 23, 1848
Profession Date:
March 30, 1864
Ordination Date:
April 1, 1871
Death Date:
April 1, 1906
Religious Name:
Alphonsus of St. Liberatus Rossiter