Born Andrew Murrmann in Pittsburgh on September 16, 1870 he grew up in St. Michael’s German parish. At 16 he entered the Passionist novitiate in Pittsburgh and on January 6, 1889 professed his vows and was given the religious name Francis. On September 19, 1896 he was ordained to the priesthood.
After numerous assignments in his first five years, in 1901 he was assigned as chaplain to St. Mary’s Industrial School in Baltimore, Maryland run by the Xaverian Brothers. He held this post for thirty years. While he was there he conditionally baptized Babe Ruth, the famous baseball player. Ruth was a student at St. Mary’s Industrial School. Eventually, a heart condition led Father Murrmann to resign his post.