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Reverend Francis X. N. McGuire, O.S.A.
(1909-2003)
Twenty-fourth President
1944-1954
Father Francis
Xavier McGuire, son of Francis and Bridget (Foley) McGuire, was born in
the Bronx, New York, on November 21, 1909. On December 5, 1909, he was
baptized in Saint. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, New York. He began his
early education at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parochial school, St. Ann
Academy, and Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, where he was
admitted as a postulant. He began his novitiate at New Hamburg, New
York, on September 8, 1927, professed first vows a year later, and
received solemn profession on September 9, 1931.
In 1932, after
graduating from Villanova College with a BA degree, he studies theology
at the Gregorian University in Rome, was ordained to the priesthood in
Rome on July 21, 1935, and earned his Doctorate of Divinity in 1939.
Father McGuire’s
first assignment was assisting at St. James Parish in Carthage, New
York. In September 1939, he began teaching theology at Villanova
College, and served as prefect of studies until 1941. During the
Provincial Chapter of 1941, Father McGuire was appointed Vice President
of Villanova College and three years later, at age 34, became
Villanova’s 24th president.
While President of
Villanova from 1944 to 1954, Father McGuire oversaw the transformation
of Villanova College from a small liberal arts college to an expanded
institution of higher education, culminating in Villanova’s elevation to
University status in 1953. During Father McGuire’s tenure as President,
new buildings were erected on campus to accommodate the increasing
enrollment; namely, Falvey Library, Barry Hall, Dougherty Hall, the
Chemical Engineering Building, the Commerce and Finance Building and
Mendel Hall. The College of Nursing, Villanova Law School, and
part-time studies program were established during his presidency.
Between 1945 and 1954, the year he retired from office, he had received
honorary Doctor of Law degrees from LaSalle College, and Saint Joseph
University, both of Philadelphia, Pa., and Doctor of Humane Letters from
Long Island University in New York. In 1954, he directed Villanova’s
Development Foundation until 1959.
Father McGuire’s
career as an Augustinian priest included his call to be professor of
philosophy and religious studies, while on Boards of Trustees at
Villanova University and Rosemont College. He was elected Counselor to
the Provincial from 1950 to 1956. He served on the Joint State
Government Commission of Pennsylvania, and held an executive position of
the Association of Naval Reserve Officer Training Colleges and
Universities.
After Father McGuire
left Villanova He shared his expertise in Augustinian parishes.
Parishioners remember him for his keen mind, charm and quick wit, all
interwoven with a deep spirituality. His magnetic personality developed
from both his reputation as a spiritual leader and educator and the fact
that, when he spoke, people listened. They marveled at his insight,
wisdom and humorous anecdotes.
Father McGuire taught
at Merrimack College, in North Andover, Massachusetts, before continuing
parochial ministries in Andover and Lawrence, Mass.; Jamaca, the Bronx,
and Staten Island, New York. His last active assignment was prior of
the Retreat House, formerly Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New
York.
In 1996, when his
health began to fail, Father McGuire returned to Saint Thomas Monastery,
at Villanova. He remained in the Health Care Unite at the monastery
until January 2003, when he moved to Sacred Heart Manor in
Philadelphia. Father McGruire died at the age of 93. A Mass of
Christian Burial was celebrated in Saint Thomas of Villanova Church on
campus. His body was interred at the Augustinian Cemetery on
Villanova’s campus, on Thursday, May 15.
**Necrology of the
Augustinian Provinces of the United States of America, 2003
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