Father Jacques DePaul Daley, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Sunday, October 25, 2015. Born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 8, 1936, he was the son of the late Roy Scarpace and Marjorie Daley Sherman, and stepson of the late Robert Sherman.
He is survived by his sister, Lynn Sherman Blaszkiewicz and her husband, Dennis, of Au Gres, Michigan.
Father Jacques attended Guest Grade School in Detroit, Michigan, and was a graduate of Coley High School, Detroit. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Saint Vincent College in 1966, and a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1971. He also earned a master’s degree in French literature from Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont in 1972; a Diplôme Supérieur in French literature from La Sorbonne, Paris; a Licentiate in Spiritual Theology from the Pontifical Angelicum University, Rome, in 1989; and a doctorate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Angelicum University, Rome, in 1991.
He entered the monastic community of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1964. He made simple profession of vows on July 11, 1965, and solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1968. He was ordained a priest in Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica by the late Bishop William G. Connare of Greensburg, on May 22, 1971.
Following completion of his doctoral studies on the writings and spirituality of Saint Therese of Lisieux, Father Jacques gave numerous retreats to religious communities and parishes throughout the United States. He was a spiritual director to many seminarians, priests and religious throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Father Jacques was well known for his work with Mother Angelica of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) from 1995 to 2006. He was a regular guest on Mother Angelica’s EWTN, where he served as host and commentator for three mini-series on Saint Therese of Lisieux, Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Faustina. The three mini-series were filmed in France, Italy and Poland and were made available on DVD. Father Jacques also filmed a series on the Mysteries of the Rosary which was also issued by EWTN as a 4-disc DVD set.
Father Jacques appeared as a regular guest on “Mother Angelica Live,” a weekly Wednesday evening interview with Mother Angelica serving as host. He also appeared with other EWTN guests, including Raymond Arroyo, the current news director and lead anchor of EWTN News.
Father Jacques also served the monastic community at Saint Vincent in a number of monastic assignments, which included monastic guestmaster (1965–1968); instructor in French and Religious Studies at Saint Vincent College, (1973–1977), and adjunct faculty member of Saint Vincent Seminary (1993-2011). His pastoral assignments included parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Church, St. Marys, Pennsylvania (1977–1980); associate pastor at Saint Louis d’Antin, Paris, France (1981–1983); and chaplain at Jeannette Memorial and Monsour Hospitals, Jeannette, Pennsylvania (1984–1986). From 1993-2014, Father Jacques served as chaplain at Excela Westmoreland Hospital.
Archabbot Douglas noted that “Father Jacques loved his special ministry to the sick and hospitalized. His outgoing and friendly personality enabled him to inspire hope in those who confronted disabling physical and mental challenges, or personal losses. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.”
The body of Father Jacques will be received at 3 p.m. on Monday, October 26, in the Elizabeth Roderick Center at Saint Vincent. Viewing will be held in the parlor of the Elizabeth Roderick Center on Monday, October 26, from 3 to 5 p.m., and 7 to 9 p.m.; and on Tuesday, October 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. The body of Father Jacques will be transferred to the Archabbey Basilica for the Vigil Service at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 28, in the Archabbey Basilica by Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Rite of Committal at the Mary, Mother of Mercy Mausoleum Chapel at Saint Vincent Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund, Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650.
