Francis C. Brennan, S.J.: 1927-2019
01/22/2019
Francis C. Brennan, S.J., a Saint Louis University alumnus who went on to teach English and serve as dean of the graduate school at SLU, died Jan. 11, at the age of 91. He was a Jesuit for 73 years and a priest for 60 years.
Fr. Brennan spent the first part of his ministerial years in higher education, serving at Saint Louis University (1965-74) as an English teacher and then dean of the graduate school. He went on to serve as academic vice president at Xavier University in Cincinnati (1974-82) and then as Superior at the Newman Center in Honolulu , Hawaii (1982-86).
After this he switched to the pastoral apostolate, serving at White House (1987-91), then as pastor at St. Mark’s parish in Houston, Texas (1991-96), and as pastor at St. Cecelia’s in Kennett, Missouri (1997-99). He returned to academic pursuits as associate editor at the Institute of Jesuit Sources (1999-2007), and from 2007 on he engaged in pastoral ministry and finally in praying for the Church and Society, all from Jesuit Hall in St. Louis.
Born in St. Louis on September 8, 1927, Brennan attended St. Roch’s grade school and St. Louis University High School, graduating in 1945. He entered the Society at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant, Missouri, on August 8, 1945. After the usual course of studies, with philosophy in St. Louis, regency at Creighton Prep and theology at St. Mary’s in Kansas, he was ordained at St. Mary’s on June 18, 1958. He earned a B.A. and Ph.L from Saint Louis University, an M.A. from Marquette, an S.T.L. from Saint Louis University, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He pronounced his final vows on August 15, 1962 at Georgetown University.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Emily Brennan, brothers Michael, Martin, and Anthony, and sister Alice. He is survived by his brother Dennis and his sisters Moira Brennan and Emily Maull.
A funeral Mass were held Saturday, Jan. 19, at St. Francis Xavier College Church.