Born May 30, 1901 in Brooklyn New York, he was the son of James McDevitt and Susanna Moran. He attended St. Alphonsus parochial grammar school. At fifteen he went to the Passionist Preparatory Seminary at Baltimore, Maryland and completed his program of studies at Holy Cross Seminary, Dunkirk, New York. He professed his vows on September 20, 1921 and was ordained on June 2, 1928 by Archbishop Walsh of Newark, New Jersey. From 1928 until 1929 he was vice-master of novices; from 1929 until 1933 he was professor at Holy Cross, Dunkirk, New York; from 1933 until 1936 he was novena director at Baltimore; from January to July 1937 he was administrator of St. John’s Parish, Westminster, Maryland; from September to December 1937 he was chaplain at St. Mary’s Industrial School, Baltimore. From 1938 until 1963 he was assistant, and later pastor of Mother of Mercy Mission, Washington, North Carolina. He ministered in that Passionist mission to Black Catholics in North Carolina and had the name of “Mr. Fixit” because of his handyman ability and just plain ability to handle most situations that arose. While he was not described as an outward person in his participation of the civil rights movement that was gaining public expression, he was described as one who had a consistent presence for the people of the area. In 1962 he suffered a heart attack and after a month in Beaufort County Hospital was transferred to Divine Providence Hospital, Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Birth Date:
May 30, 1901
Profession Date:
September 20, 1921
Ordination Date:
June 2, 1928
Death Date:
July 18, 1966
Religious Name:
Daniel of the Mother of God McDevitt