Nicholas Lawrence Rausch was born on May 24, 1886 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was the son of August and Mary Lehrmann Rausch. His early education was at St. Michael’s School and Holy Ghost College, Pittsburgh. For a number of years he worked in an iron foundry. He was an iron molder and was a passenger brakeman on the Pennsylvania Railroad which ran from Pittsburgh to Altoona, Pennsylvania. He eventually entered the Passionist novitiate and professed his vows on July 25, 1909. On May 30, 1917 he was ordained a priest by Bishop Paul Nussbuam, C.P. at St. Michael’s Monastery, West Hoboken, New Jersey. Most of his ministry was spent in parish work. From 1918 until 1924 he was a curate at St. Michael’s Parish, Pittsburgh. In 1924 he was transferred to St. Joseph’s Monastery Parish, Baltimore where he served until 1926. From 1926 until 1930 he was a preacher of parish missions and retreats, primarily in the German language. In 1930 he was assigned to St. Michael’s Monastery Parish, Union City, New Jersey where he served for almost thirty years.
Birth Date:
May 24, 1886
Profession Date:
July 25, 1909
Ordination Date:
May 30, 1917
Death Date:
June 29, 1959
Religious Name:
Michael of St. Gabriel Rausch