May 21

FR. MARTIN FORDE was from Kilchreest, County Galway, Ireland where he was born in 1912. He died on May 21, 1976. He was a brother of Columban Father Bernard Forde.  Fr. Martin was educated at St. Joseph’s College, Ballinasloe [1925-30] before coming to Dalgan in1930 where he was ordained priest in1936. In 1937, he went to Rome where he gained a Doctorate in Canon Law. Assigned to the Philippines, he spent World War II [1940-45] in Lingayen, after which his health was seriously impaired.  He was appointed to the U.S. in 1948 where he was a member of the Director’s Council. In 1951, he was appointed Superior in Lima, Peru. He returned to the U.S. in 1954 and taught at St. Columban’s Seminary, Milton.  Fr. Martin is buried at Dalgan.