Good Counsel College - Vestigia Yearbook (White Plains, NY)

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THE LATE RIGHT REVEREND MONSIGNOR JOSEPH A. BRESLIN, D.D

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IN MEMORIAM 1884-1947 Our hearts are filled with sadness over the unexpected death of our late beloved honorary President and one of our dearest friends, the Right Reverend Monsig- nor ,loseph A. Breslin, D.D. It was a privilege for us to know and love him. Monsignor Brcslin's career was one which earned for him great esteem and distinction. His elevation to the priesthood took place in Rome in 1913. The following year he received his Doctorate of Divinity. During the first Wo1'ld Wfar he entered the chaplain corps. and in token of his courage and heroic self-sacri- rice was presented with the Distinguished Service Medal. In France where be was chaplain at the camp at St. Nazairc, he achieved an enviable record. Upon his return to the United States. he was assigned to St. ,loseph's Church, Manhat- tan where he remained ten years. His interest in the young of the parish was widespread and his troops of Boy and Girl Scouts were the largest units then in the United States. In 1925 Monsignor Breslin was re-called to Rome where he became vice Rector of the North American College, a post which entailed serving as host to many dignitaries visiting the Vatican City. ln 1926 the late Pope Pius XI conferred upon him the honor of Private Chamberlain to the Holy Father with the title of Very Reverend Monsignor. ln 1936 he was raised to the rank of Domestic Prelate with the title of Right Reverend Monsignor. ln December of that year he re- turned to the United States and the late Patrick Cardinal Hayes appointed him pastor of the Church of St. John the Evangelist in White Plains. ln January 1940 he was appointed Dean of Westchester County by our beloved Cardinal Spcllman and at that time assumed the responsibilities of honorary President of our col- lege, succeeding his late brother, the Right Reverend Monsignor Patrick N. Breslin, D.D. 1n Wlhite Plains lVlonsignor Breslin was active in youth work and helped to form the huge Catholic Youth Organization. He labored for years for the estab- lishment of a Catholic boys' high school and spent himself in the campaign launched recently for the Archbishop Stepinac High School for boys. Monsignor Breslin was held in deepest affection here at Good Counsel and his name will be retained forever in benediction. First and foremost a priestly priest. he manifested toward us on all occasions his unfailing kindness, sympathy, gener- osity. loyalty. and deep interest in our college. Vt'e keenly feel his passing, but we shall ever keep alive the memory of those outstanding qualities which en- deared him to our hearts. May we ever honor him by remaining true to the ideals he held so dear.

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