Father Theodore Foley (Daniel) was the Superior General of the Congregation of the Passion from 1964-1974. As such he participated directly in The Second Vatican Council. In Rome he dedicated himself heroically to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Among his clients were Pope Paul VI and several Cardinals. But he served every type of person, including male and female Religious in the city and the homeless of the Coliseum.
Prior to his election to Roman offices in 1958, he had been Rector of the Passionist Monastery of Saint Paul of the Cross in Pittsburgh. His preserved body rests there now.
On September 30, 2010, the Cause for the Servant of God, Theodore Foley was formally inaugurated there by the Passionists. In the presence of the Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh, the Most Reverend William Winter, S.T.D., municipal, county and state representatives and more than 200 people, the Passionist Provincial Superior, Very Reverend Robert Joerger, C.P. made the Proclamation. On that occasion Father Robert addressed the congregation with his own memory of Father Theodore. He based it on the testimony of the late Very Reverend Brother Charles Henry Bultner, F.S.C., formerly Superior General of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. He said: “We were in Rome together. At that time, it was said of Father Theodore, even by the Pope, ‘this was the holiest man in Rome.’”
The significance of this event is that from that moment forward, the Passionists worldwide inaugurate the historical and theological commissions to examine Father Theodore’s life and work. That work today continues under the direction of Father Dominic Papa, C.P. with the assistance of Father Victor Hoagland, C.P., Father Jerome Vereb, C.P. and Brother James Francis Fitzgerald, C.P.
Prayer
Almighty God, your servant, Father Theodore Foley, was an outstanding witness of commitment to the sufferings and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, through the Congregation of the Passion. As a priest of the Church, he was especially zealous for the reconciliation of sinners. Through his intercession, may all experience the full practice of the faith, and may he be elevated to the altar so that his example may shine to the glory of the priesthood and the commitment to the Cross. We also ask that his prayers may obtain the favor which we so desperately seek (here pause and add your own intentions). We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, who lives forever and ever. Amen.
+Imprimatur: Achille Cardinal Silvestrini
- Father Jerome Vereb, C.P.
