He was born Daniel Bible Foley on March 3, 1913 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of Daniel and Helen Bible Foley. He was educated at Sacred Heart Grammar School, Cathedral High School, and later Holy Cross Preparatory Seminary, Dunkirk, New York. He professed his vows on August 15, 1933 at Our Mother of Sorrows Retreat, West Springfield, Massachusetts and received the name Theodore. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 23, 1940 by Archbishop Michael Curley in Baltimore, Maryland. From 1941 to 1942 he was professor of philosophy for the Passionists. In 1944 he graduated with a Ph.D. in Theology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. From 1944 he taught theology as a member of the Passionist Seminary faculty at St. Michael’s Monastery, Union City, New Jersey. From 1953 to 1956 he was Director of Passionist Seminarians. In 1956 he was appointed Rector of St. Paul’s Monastery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1958 he was elected General Consultor for the Passionists in Rome. On May 7, 1964 Father Foley was elected Superior General of the Passionists throughout the world. He was the first American from the eastern United States to hold this position. He guided the Passionists through Vatican II (1962-1965). In 1970 he was re-elected as Superior General. He died after contracting an illness on a trip to Asia.
Birth Date:
March 3, 1913
Profession Date:
August 15, 1933
Ordination Date:
April 23, 1940
Death Date:
October 9, 1974
Religious Name:
Theordore of Mary Immaculate Foley