| Fr. Jude Duffy O.F.M. Cap 50 years of Priesthood |
“I am grateful for these 50 years in which I’ve served in the ministerial priesthood of
Jesus Christ,” Jude Duffy, OFM Cap told the Stigmata News as he recalls his fulfilling
journey in the Capuchin priesthood.
Fr. Duffy, a Kingston, NY native, was born on January 31, 1927. He grew up in Rosendale,
NY with his fraternal twin, a sister, and four brothers. After graduating from high school in
1944, Fr. Duffy spent two years in the Navy.
Fr. Duffy earned an undergraduate degree in political science and history at Centre
College in Kentucky. He received his calling to the priesthood while attending law school
in Brooklyn. He met with the provincial minister where he confirmed his calling to become
a Capuchin. He joined the Stigmata jurisdiction two weeks later.
Fr. Duffy completed his novitiate and made his temporary vows in Beacon, NY. He
remained at Beacon for his theological studies and was ordained a priest on March 1,
1958.
Jesus Christ,” Jude Duffy, OFM Cap told the Stigmata News as he recalls his fulfilling
journey in the Capuchin priesthood.
Fr. Duffy, a Kingston, NY native, was born on January 31, 1927. He grew up in Rosendale,
NY with his fraternal twin, a sister, and four brothers. After graduating from high school in
1944, Fr. Duffy spent two years in the Navy.
Fr. Duffy earned an undergraduate degree in political science and history at Centre
College in Kentucky. He received his calling to the priesthood while attending law school
in Brooklyn. He met with the provincial minister where he confirmed his calling to become
a Capuchin. He joined the Stigmata jurisdiction two weeks later.
Fr. Duffy completed his novitiate and made his temporary vows in Beacon, NY. He
remained at Beacon for his theological studies and was ordained a priest on March 1,
1958.
He has held many positions during his 50 years as a Capuchin priest. After
completing his theological studies, Fr. Duffy received an assignment as a
religious teacher and spiritual director at a seminary in Geneva, NY. He was
appointed provincial secretary, director of theology students in 1961. Fr. Duffy
was sent to Wilmington, DE to negotiate the purchase of the St. Francis
Renewal Center from the California province. He was elected to the provincial
council in 1964 and provincial vicar in 1967. He has held the rector position at
the minor seminary in Lafayette, NJ and was elected provincial commissary
in 1970.
His extensive experience prepared him to become the first provincial
minister of the Province in 1973 when the Stigmata jurisdiction was raised to
province status. He also served again as provincial minister from 1982-85.
When his second term as provincial minister ended, Fr. Duffy spent several
months in Italy before he was sent to Florida to establish the presence of the
Stigmata Province. After serving as pastor of Most Holy Redeemer in Tampa
for 12 years, Fr. Duffy was transferred to Charlotte, NC. He was appointed
pastor of the St. Matthew’s Church then transferred to the Church of Our
Lady of Consolation, where he remains to this day.
Fr. Duffy’s reason for being a Capuchin: “I still have such love and admiration
for St. Francis. My love for Francis has grown throughout these years, and I
treasure my vocation and pray that I will always live his example.”
completing his theological studies, Fr. Duffy received an assignment as a
religious teacher and spiritual director at a seminary in Geneva, NY. He was
appointed provincial secretary, director of theology students in 1961. Fr. Duffy
was sent to Wilmington, DE to negotiate the purchase of the St. Francis
Renewal Center from the California province. He was elected to the provincial
council in 1964 and provincial vicar in 1967. He has held the rector position at
the minor seminary in Lafayette, NJ and was elected provincial commissary
in 1970.
His extensive experience prepared him to become the first provincial
minister of the Province in 1973 when the Stigmata jurisdiction was raised to
province status. He also served again as provincial minister from 1982-85.
When his second term as provincial minister ended, Fr. Duffy spent several
months in Italy before he was sent to Florida to establish the presence of the
Stigmata Province. After serving as pastor of Most Holy Redeemer in Tampa
for 12 years, Fr. Duffy was transferred to Charlotte, NC. He was appointed
pastor of the St. Matthew’s Church then transferred to the Church of Our
Lady of Consolation, where he remains to this day.
Fr. Duffy’s reason for being a Capuchin: “I still have such love and admiration
for St. Francis. My love for Francis has grown throughout these years, and I
treasure my vocation and pray that I will always live his example.”
| Fr. Jude with Blessed Teresa of Calcuta |