Fr. Brendan Breen

Father Brendan Breen, a Passionist Priest, died at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut at 10:55 AM on Thursday, July 9th. He was 92 years old. Son of late Timothy Breen and the late Margaret (O’Neill) Breen. A native of Dorchester, Father Breen attended Cathedral High School and graduated English High School, Boston, in 1940. He studied at Holy Cross Seminary, Dunkirk, New York from 1940-1942. He then entered the Passionists, a Roman Catholic community of Brothers and Priests dedicated to the Passion of the Christ, contemplative prayer, the popular preaching of parish missions and retreats, and overseas mission work. He professed his vows at Saint Paul of the Cross Monastery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1943. He studied at Saint Mary Monastery, Dunkirk, New York, and was awarded a BA in philosophy in 1945. He also studied theology at Mother of Sorrow Monastery, West Springfield, Massachusetts, St. Mary Monastery, Dunkirk, New York, and Immaculate Conception Monastery, Jamaica, New York. He received an MA in theology and was ordained a Priest in 1950. He studied spiritual theology from 1958-1960 in preparation for seminary work. Father Breen taught at Holy Cross Seminary, Dunkirk, New York from 1952-1962. He was also director of students and vice-rector. He conducted retreats from 1962-1965. He was rector of Saint Michael Monastery, Union City, New Jersey from 1965-1968 and Saint Gabriel Monastery, Brighton, Massachusetts from 1968-1971. From 1971-1974 Father Breen was retreat director at Saint Gabriel Retreat Center. He served as rector and retreat director of Our Lady of Florida Monastery and Spiritual Center, North Palm Beach, Florida from 1974-1982. Returning north in 1983, Father Breen was vice rector of Holy Family Monastery, West Hartford, Connecticut from 1983-1991. In 1991 he took up residence at Saint Gabriel Parish, Brighton, Massachusetts. In 2004 he retired to Southgate in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Fr. Breen was predeceased by his sister; Mary Ellen Curley Flaherty, his brother John P. Breen, cousin Ellen Sullivan, and nephew James Curley. He is survived by M. Kathryn Breen of Wellesley, Brendan M. Breen of Falmouth, Robert E. Breen of Wrentham, Barbara Maclellan of Zephyr Hills, FL, John P. Breen of Roslindale, Jayne Breen of Millis, and Margaret Gallivan of Marco Island, FL. Funeral Mass was celebrated at the Holy Family Monastery, West Hartford, CT. Burial was in Mount Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury. Donations may be made to the Passionist Retirement Fund, care of Province Pastoral Center, Rye Brook, NY 10573.

Fr. Brendan Breen

July 9, 2015