Born Edward Guenther on March 10, 1894, he was the son of James and Clare Miller Guenther. He grew up in Pittsburgh and professed his vows there on June 22, 1913, receiving the name Winfred. Before he joined the Passionists he did commercial training and banking. Studies prior to ordination took place at St. Mary’s, Dunkirk, New York; St. Garbriel’s, Brighton, Massachusetts; and St. Michael’s, West Hoboken, New Jersey. In third year theology he was transferred to St. Joseph’s Baltimore, Maryland and was ordained on December 21, 1921. Sacred eloquence took place in West Hoboken. In 1923 he was assigned as director of students, St. Ann’s Monastery, Scranton, Pennsylvania and in 1924 held the same position in West Hoboken. When the new foundation in Jamaica, New York began he was assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish as curate. He also possessed the mechanical skills to make the Degnon estate livable and operative as a laymen’s retreat house. Later he was asked to join the Passionists assigned to Germany because of his German language skills; however, an early bout with typhoid several years earlier left him unable to cope with the harsh cold of that mission. He returned to the United States where he was assigned as assistant pastor to St. Michael’s Parish, Pittsburgh until 1934 when he was assigned as pastor and took on the responsibility of renovating the grammar school and high school. Ill again, he resigned and was assigned to St. Ann’s, Scranton in 1941 where he stayed until a third minor stroke incapacitated him. Still he retained his interest in mechanical things and handiwork. Eventually he was assigned to Pittsburgh where he was cared for by the Sisters of St. Francis.
Birth Date:
March 10, 1894
Profession Date:
June 22, 1913
Ordination Date:
December 21, 1921
Death Date:
December 25, 1959
Religious Name:
Winfrid of the Sorrowful Mother Guenther