Father Cosmas Shaughnessy, C.P., St. Paul of the Cross Province (1893-1970)

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Born John Shaughnessy on October 29, 1893 in Clinton, Massachusetts, he was the son of Thomas and Margaret Shaughnessy. Two of his brothers became diocesan priests. He was educated in Clinton and then went for a short time to The College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts. From there he went to the Passionist novitiate. He professed his vows on January 21, 1914. His religious name was Cosmas. He was ordained a priest on September 18, 1920. He was a preacher of parish missions, renewals and retreats and secured academic degrees Manhattan College and Columbia University in New York City. He was asked to be a military chaplain and give special retreats to armed forces in Europe, Asia and Alaska. He was most known for his work at Immaculate Conception Retreat House, Jamaica, New York.