Born John O’Reilly on October 1, 1893 in Boston he was the son of Patrick O’Reilly and Margaret King. He went to Boston Public Grammar School and Boston College High School. He then went into the business world for several years. Then he decided to enter the Passionists. First he attended the Passionist Preparatory School at St. Joseph’s Monastery, Baltimore, Maryland. He then attended the Passionist novitiate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and took his vows on October 31, 1918. He received the name Gordian. He then took philosophy classes at St. Ann’s Monastery, Scranton, Pennsylvania and then theology at West Hoboken, New Jersey. He was ordained by Bishop Paul Nussbaum on June 14, 1924.After ordination he was assigned as a Vice-Master then was Director of Students, Assistant Pastor and Vicar. But most essentially he was a missionary in the dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre.
Birth Date:
October 1, 1893
Profession Date:
October 31, 1918
Ordination Date:
June 14, 1924
Death Date:
November 10, 1964
Religious Name:
Gordian of St. Gabriel O'Reilly