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Br. Alphonsus Maria MacGovern, MICM

September 8, 1928 ~ May 14, 2023 (age 94) 94 Years Old
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Obituary

On May 14, 2023, at 11:15 pm, Brother Alphonsus Maria MacGovern, MICM died at the Life Care Center in Acton, Massachusetts, having already received the Anointing of the Sick and Apostolic Blessing in the days previous.

 

Brother Alphonsus Maria, son of Rosella (Casey) and Francis MacGovern, was born in Providence Rhode Island on September 8 (the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary) 1928, receiving the name Brendan.  When Brendan was young his father, one of the founders of Providence College, moved with his family to Boston, where Brendan eventually graduated from Boston Latin School in 1946.  He completed two years of college at Boston College in Newton, completing his collegiate studies at Saint Benedict Center in Cambridge.

 

In 1949, Brendan became one of the founding members of The Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, dedicating himself to defending the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, especially concerning the necessity of the Church for salvation. Because he had grown up on Saint Alphonsus Street near Mission Church, and there received his sacraments from priests of Saint Alphonsus’ Redemptorist order, he chose Brother Alphonsus Maria as his name in religion. In 1958 Brother Alphonsus Maria moved with his community from the city of Cambridge to the Town of Still River, where he lived the remainder of his days, other than the final several weeks that he spent at the Life Care Center.  Over the years he served as bookkeeper, choir director and fundraiser, in which latter capacity he made many friends.

 

Brother Alphonsus Maria was predeceased by his parents, and his older brother Kevin, who died in 1955.  He is survived by his three nephews, John (Fiona), Edward (Brenda) and Lawrence (Ann).

 

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, May 23 at Saint Benedict Abbey, 252 Still River Road, Harvard (Still River), from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.  A Funeral Mass will be offered for him on the next day, Wednesday, May 24, at Saint Benedict Abbey, at 10:00 am.  Burial will follow immediately in the Abbey cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Saint Benedict Abbey, 252 Still River Rd., Harvard, MA 01451 (www.abbey.org)

 

 

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Services

Visitation
Tuesday
May 23, 2023

5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
St. Benedict Abbey
252 Still River Road
Still River, MA 01451

Funeral Mass
Wednesday
May 24, 2023

10:00 AM
St. Benedict Abbey
252 Still River Road
Still River, MA 01451

Interment following funeral service
Wednesday
May 24, 2023

St. Benedict Abbey
252 Still River Road
Still River, MA 01451

Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Orders begin printing on May 30
Online Event
profile

In Loving Memory Of

Br. Alphonsus Maria MacGovern, MICM

September 8, 1928-May 14, 2023




Look inside to read what others
have shared

Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book.   


Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Orders begin printing on May 30
Online Event

profile

In Loving Memory Of

Br. Alphonsus Maria MacGovern, MICM

September 8, 1928-May 14, 2023




Look inside to read what others have shared


Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book.   


Donations

St. Benedict Abbey
252 Still River Rd., Still River MA 01451
Web: http://www.abbey.org

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