Born William Durkin on June 11, 1863 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, after some early schooling, he began to pursue landscape and portrait painting. First he attended St. Charles College, Ellicot City, Maryland with the intent of entering the secular clergy. While there he met one of the Passionists who lived nearby at St. Joseph’s Monastery in Irvington, Maryland. Thus he entered the Passionists and made his religious profession on October 13, 1885. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 11, 1898 in West Hoboken, New Jersey. After ordination he was assigned as assistant parish at St. Ann’s Church which was connected with Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat at Normandy, Missouri. Later he went to St. Michael’s Monastery Parish in West Hoboken. In September 1902 he was appointed Vice Rector of St. Paul of the Cross Retreat, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After holding this position for a short time he conducted parish missions. He preached hundreds of missions. While conducting a retreat to the Sisters of St. Joseph in Wheeling, West Virginia he became ill with typhoid fever. He was hospitalized at St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore and then died on September 3.
Birth Date:
June 11, 1863
Profession Date:
October 13, 1885
Ordination Date:
June 11, 1898
Death Date:
September 3, 1908
Religious Name:
Anthony of the Mother of Mercy Durkin