Born John V. Gorman on November 19, 1900, he was the son of William Gorman and Delia O’Neil of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He graduated from St. Peter’s High School in 1917. After working several years at the U.S. Steel Company he went to the Passionist Seminary, Dunkirk, New York. He professed his vows on August 15, 1923 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His religious name was Bernardine. He was ordained March 15, 1930 at Immaculate Conception Monastery, Jamaica, New York. After ordination he was vice-master of novices in West Springfield, Massachusetts for three years. He then was director of students for three years at St. Mary’s Monastery, Dunkirk. He then was a preacher of missions and retreats. He gave ecumenical retreats in West Virginia. When he was stationed at the Jamaica monastery he was one of the co-founders of “The Men of Fatima for Peace.” He was also associated with the Domestic Relations and Juvenile Courts of Jamaica, New York for ten years. He was associated with James E. Hayden, M.D. in Pittsburgh who later entered the Benedictines and founded the Marsalin Institute for Psychiatry and Religion to care for mental illness. He worked on the Board of Directors of the Institute at Holliston, Massachusetts from 1967 until 1972 and was an editorial advisor to The Marsalin Quarterly. He died at Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh from cardiac arrest. He was the 428th Passionist to die in the province since it was founded.
Birth Date:
November 19, 1900
Profession Date:
August 15, 1923
Ordination Date:
March 15, 1930
Death Date:
April 3, 1977
Religious Name:
Bernardine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Gorman