Francis Gilfillan
| His Excellency, The Most Reverend Francis Gilfillan | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of St. Joseph | |
| See | Diocese of St. Joseph |
| In office | March 17, 1923 January 13, 1933 |
| Predecessor | Maurice Francis Burke |
| Successor | Charles Hubert Le Blond |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 24, 1895 by John Joseph Kain |
| Consecration | November 8, 1922 by John J. Glennon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 16, 1872 Aughavas, County Leitrim, Ireland |
| Died | January 13, 1933 (aged 60) St. Joseph, Missouri, US |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Education | theology at St. Patrick's College Catholic University of America |
| Motto | In consilio sanctorum (In the counsel of the saints) |
Francis Gilfillan DD (February 16, 1872 – January 13, 1933) was an Irish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as coadjutor bishop and bishop of the Diocese of St. Joseph in Missouri from 1922 until his death in 1933.
Biography
Early life
Francis Gilfillan was born on February 16, 1872, in Aughavas, County Leitrim in Ireland.[1] He received his classical education at St. Mary's Seminary in Moyne, County Longford, from 1886 to 1889.[2] From 1889 to 1894, he studied philosophy and theology at St. Patrick's College in Carlow, Ireland.[2] Gilfillan immigrated to the United States to enter the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.,[2] where he received a Doctor of Divinity degree.
Priesthood
Gilfillan was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. Louis by Archbishop John J. Kain in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 24, 1895.[3][1] After his ordination, the archdiocese assigned Gilfillan as a curate at the Cathedral of St. Louis Parish. In 1907, he was appointed pastor of the parish.[2] He also served as a board member of Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis and of the Theological Conferences' Committee of the Board of Synodal Examiners.[2]
Coadjutor Bishop and Bishop of St. Joseph
On July 8, 1922, Gilfillan was appointed coadjutor bishop of St. Joseph and titular bishop of Pegae by Pope Pius XI.[3][4] He received his episcopal consecration on November 8, 1922, from Archbishop John J. Glennon, with Bishops Christopher E. Byrne and Thomas F. Lillis serving as co-consecrators. at the Cathedral of Saint Louis.[1][3] After the death of Bishop Maurice F. Burke on March 17, 1923, Gilfillan automatically succeeded him as the third bishop of St. Joseph.[3]
As bishop, Gilfillan chose to live in a residence for priests rather than reside in the episcopal residence. He opened an orphanage in St. Joseph, Missouri, and built the Christian Brothers High School in that city.[5]
Death and legacy
Francis Gilfillan died at his residence in St. Joseph on January 13, 1933, at age 60.[6][7]
References
- Back to citation occurrence 1.0 Back to citation occurrence 1.1 Back to citation occurrence 1.2 "Diocese of Saint Joseph". GCatholic. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- Back to citation occurrence 2.0 Back to citation occurrence 2.1 Back to citation occurrence 2.2 Back to citation occurrence 2.3 Back to citation occurrence 2.4 Marquis, Albert Nelson (1912). The Book of St. Louisans: A Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men of the City of St. Louis and Vicinity (II ed.). Chicago: A.N. Marquis & Company.
- Back to citation occurrence 3.0 Back to citation occurrence 3.1 Back to citation occurrence 3.2 Back to citation occurrence 3.3 "Bishop Francis Gilfillan [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
- Back to citation "Pope Appoints Two Bishops". The New York Times. 1922-07-09. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- Back to citation "Parish History". Cathedral St. Joseph. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
- Back to citation Breifny Antiquarian Society and Historical Journal, cavanlibrary.ie; accessed July 12, 2020.
- Back to citation "BISHOP FRANCIS GILFILLAN. I". The New York Times. 1933-01-14. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-06-29.