Fr. Leo Ferrary, OFM - First Mass - St. Bonaventure Church,
Paterson, NJ
Fr. Ferrary's young cousins participated in the celebration.
From left to right the children are:
Helen, Frances, Marjorie and Carl Ferrary,
Margaret Mulrooney, Marie and Rina Ferrary.
Karl Anton Ferrari (Charles Ferrary), the son of Valentine Ferrari
and Maria Anesi, was born in Laives-Leifers, Province of Bolzano, in 1894.
His family immigrated to the United States when Karl was about nine years
old. They lived in West Paterson, NJ. Karl, now known as Charles, attended
St. Bonaventure's school in Paterson, NJ. He entered the seminary in Calicoon,
NY, and was ordained a priest in his home parish, St. Bonaventure Church,
in Paterson on June 29, 1921.
Two years later, in the fall of 1923, Fr. Leo began his missionary
life in China. He lived in Wuchang for three years while learning the language.
He also taught in the seminary. He was driven out of Wuchang by revolutionists,
and went on to Hwang-Shi-Kang where he directed the Franciscan mission
school, orphanage and Catholic hospital.
When the Red Communist Army attacked Hwang-Shi-Kang on June 13, 1930,
Fr. Leo fled and hid out in the mountains, taking 40 Chinese Sisters and
orphans with him. They stayed hidden in the mountains until the enemy left
the area. They then returned to Hwang-Shi-Kang began the task of rebuilding.
Two years later, on March 4, 1932, Fr. Leo Ferrary and Fr. Ralph
Reilly went to war-torn Shasi to begin a new Holy Name mission. Fr. Leo
was the architect and builder for many projects. He built a high school
for girls, opened three grammar schools, and began work on a new Catholic
hospital. He also studied dentistry in Shanghai so he could help the poor
who could not afford dental care. In addition, he built a motor boat which
he used during the floods to distribute food and medicine. Fr. Leo truly
became "all things to all men."
After 10 years in China Fr. Leo returned to the United States for
about a year. While he was here he assisted with local fundraising events
which would benefit the Chinese missions.
He returned to China on November 9, 1934 with four priests and one
brother. In accordance with the Ritual of the Franciscan Order, a solemn
Departure Ceremony was held, envoking God's blessing upon the dangerous
journey and the work of the missionaries. The ceremony was held at St.
Bonaventure Church several days before the men began their long trip.
The destination of the five young missionaries, headed by Fr. Ferrary,
was again Shasi. This area is about nine hundred miles up the Yangtze river
in the Province of Hupeh. At that time it was a nine day trip from the
Port of Shanghai. Shasi then had a population of two million and comprised
an area of over nine thousand square miles.
In 1940 Fr. Leo was sent to Chungking as the personal representative
of the Apostolic Delegate to China. This position enabled him to intercede
on behalf of missionaries of all denominations and others who had been
isolated in China because of the war. While in Chungking, he was the pastor
of St. Joseph Church, and also served as the Director of the Chinese Catholic
Medical Service.
During the war years he befriended the American G.I.'s stationed
in Chungking. W. N. Collins, a professor at the National Central University
of China, wrote a detailed description for the China Correspondent
of one of the "socials" Fr. Leo organized for the servicemen. The condensed
version of the article, Father Ferrary
Throws A Party printed in the Catholic Digest, July 1944,
provides wonderful insight into Fr. Ferrary's personality, energy and enthusium.
It is evident that he was a unique man who was greatly admired and respected
by many.
Later that same year, on December 13, 1944, Fr. Leo died suddenly
in Charity Hospital in Chungking after a brief illness. He was 50 years
old.
atzki@optonlilne.net
© 1998 (excluding graphics and music)