McNally, Vincent M. (Father)

Jesuit Father Vincent M. McNally died on his 97th birthday, Nov. 29, 2014, at Murray-Weigel Hall in the Bronx, New York. The son of Michael and Estelle (Sullivan) McNally, he was born in Brooklyn, on Nov. 29, 1917, and attended Brooklyn Prep. After one year at Fordham University, he joined the Society of Jesus on Sept. 7, 1935. He was a Jesuit for 79 years.

He entered the Society of Jesus at Wernersville, Pennsylvania, for his novitiate and juniorate (1935-39). His first year of philosophy was at Innisfada in Manhasset, New York from 1939 to 1940. He completed the study of philosophy at Woodstock College (1940-42). After three years of regency at Canisius High School in Buffalo, New York (1942-45), he studied theology at Weston College in Weston, Massachusetts. (1945-49).

A priest for 66 years, he was ordained in June 1948. Following his final year of Jesuit formation, tertianship, at St. Robert’s Hall in Pomfret Center, Connecticut, he began years of ministry in the Philippines where he served from 1950-1969. He served as principal at three Jesuit high schools and as rector/president of two colleges in Naga and Zamboanga. He also served in administration in several Jesuit communities.

In 1969, he returned to the United States. After two years of religious studies at Fordham, he took up a variety of ministries in retreat centers in Staten Island (1979-82) and Auriesville (1983-99), and as a chaplain on Ward’s Island (1976-79). From 1972-76 he resided at Kohlmann Hall and was the assistant to the vice-provincial for Social and Pastoral Ministry. In 1999 he moved north to Canisius College in Buffalo, working in the college as a campus minister and in the community in pastoral ministry. In 2010 he took up residence at the Jesuit infirmary, Murray-Weigel Hall.