Born J. Edgar Walsh on November 30, 1892 in St. Louis, Missouri, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Xavier Walsh. He was educated by the Christian Brothers in St. Louis before he entered the Passionists. He professed his vows on October 30, 1911 in Louisville, Kentucky. His religious name was Edmund. He was ordained June 27, 1917 at St. Paul, Kansas by Bishop Hennessy. An early assignment was in seminary formation at the Preparatory Seminary, Normandy, Missouri. In 1926 he was elected rector of Louisville, Kentucky where he was instrumental in the building of the church. In 1929 he was assigned to Detroit, Michigan in order to help coordinate efforts to build a new monastery there. Later he helped bring stability to the Passionist presence at Sierra Madre by coordinating the building efforts there. He went to Sierra Madre in 1931 where he supervised construction efforts and details of architectural design. Once the building was completed he set about to promote the laymen’s retreat movement. During the eighteen months the organization was created so as to run in an efficient manner. His ability as a successful promoter of retreats often seemed a contradiction because he could also have a rough and hard to get to know personality. Still both dimensions appeared to balance out in his promotion of the Gospel. He died a member of the communnity at Sierra Madre, California. He suffered a heart attack and was sent to St. Luke’s Hospital, Pasadena, California where he died from coronary thrombosis.
Birth Date:
November 30, 1892
Profession Date:
October 30, 1911
Ordination Date:
June 27, 1917
Death Date:
May 29, 1934