Friday, December 15, 2006

(Maryland) Rev. Martin James Casey, SJ, 96, died on Sunday, December 10, 2006 at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.  He was a Jesuit for 75 years and a priest for 63 years. 

Father Casey was born on February 16, 1910 in Philadelphia, Pa.  Following graduation from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and St. Joseph’s University, Father Casey entered the Society of Jesus on August 14, 1931 at the novitiate of St. Andrew-on-Hudson, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. After taking his First Vows on August 15, 1933, Father Casey pursued college studies at St. Andrew-on-Hudson from 1933 to 1934 and then was sent to the Philippine Islands to study philosophy at Novalishes from 1934 to 1937.

From 1937 to 1940, Father Casey taught mathematics to high school students at the Ateneo de Manila.  Following his regency, he studied theology from 1940 to 1944 at Woodstock College in Maryland and was ordained to the priesthood in the Woodstock College Chapel by the Most Reverend John M. McNamara, auxiliary bishop of Baltimore, on June 20, 1943.  After completing his theological studies, Father Casey was sent for one year to St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia to teach chemistry before making his Tertianship at the Jesuit Martyrs Shrine, Auriesville, N.Y., from 1945 to 1946.  He then returned to St. Joseph’s University to study chemistry until June 16, 1947 when he sailed again for the Philippines.  Father Casey made his Final Profession in the Society of Jesus on February 2, 1978 at Georgetown University.

After his arrival in the Philippines, Father Casey was appointed minister and treasurer at the Atenea de Cagayan, Mindanao (1947-1949), chairman of the chemistry and physics department and lecturer in chemistry and philosophy at the Ateneo de Manila (1949-1952) and rector at the Ateneo de Davao, Mindanao (1952-1954).  Upon his return to the United States in January 1954, Father Casey served as minister of the Jesuit Community at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia (1954-1958), superior and pastor at Holy Trinity Church in Washington, D.C. (1958-1964), superior and pastor at Old St. Joseph’s Church in Philadelphia (1964-1971) and superior and treasurer at Leonard Neale House in Washington, D.C. (1971-1973). 

In 1973, Father Casey was assigned to the Jesuit Community at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. where, for over 30 years, he served at various times as sub-minister, acting minister, treasurer, spiritual director of the Jesuit Community, pastoral minister and, from 1997 until his death, financial officer for Federal Relations.  

Announcements from the Maryland Province are published as needed.
This notice is archived on the web: www.mdsj.org/Deaths/Casey_Martin_2.htm
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact William Watters, SJ, 410.532.1412.