Born September 8, 1902, before he entered the Passionists he attended Duquesne University Prep, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and one year at the university. He was thinking of a career in law. But across the river he could see St. Paul of the Cross Monastery and decided to make a retreat which changed his life. There he met retreat director Father Edwin Coyle, C.P. Subsequently, the young man entered the Passionists and professed his vows on October 12, 1922. He was ordained a priest on May 25, 1929. After ordination he served as an assistant master of novices and was professor of scripture in the Passionist Monastic Seminary. While scripture did not hold a strong place in the seminary curriculum of the day, Father Forester did provide the seminal skills to future scripture scholar Father Richard Kugelman. Moreover, what made this even more admirable was that the superiors of the time did not think that graduate scripture studies were necessary. After 1942 Father Forester moved on to another apostolate: preaching retreats to clergy, religious and laity. After many years a heart attack required that he receive a pacemaker which eventually slowed him down.
Birth Date:
September 8, 1902
Profession Date:
October 12, 1922
Ordination Date:
May 25, 1929
Death Date:
January 20, 1986
Religious Name:
Raymond Joseph of the Sacred Hearts Foerster