Monsignor Edward James Donovan
Monsignor Edward James Donovan passed from this earth and entered eternal life on October 23, 2008. Monsignor Donovan was a son of Mount Kisco. At his masses he often spoke about growing up in Mount Kisco and having graduated from St. Francis Grammar School.
He was ordained to the priesthood May 1954 and served as a priest for over 54 years. Monsignor Donovan’s assignments included Holy Name Mission in Manhattan, St. Frances of Rome in the Bronx, and 38 years as Catholic Chaplain at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, NY. During his years at Green Haven, he undertook the building of a Catholic Chapel, St. Paul in Chains, with the help of the inmates under the direction of professional contractors. He told a story that the warden would not let him build the chapel until he walked on water. Monsignor Donovan called him out in the winter to show the warden how he could walk on water . . . ice!
In his sermons, he often spoke about his service at Green Haven. When he would tell a story about his service at Green Haven, he would start the story with the phrase, “when I was in prison”. In his “retirement” he returned to Mt. Kisco where he offered mass at the parish of St. Francis of Assisi. My children, Lauren and Jennifer, would enjoy serving mass as altar servers with Monsignor Donovan, even though he would always call on them using an incorrect name.
I always enjoyed Monsignor Donovan’s sermons. Each week, he reminded me how I could become a better person and a better Catholic. I would also enjoy his jokes and stories. He had an incredible sense of humor. I will occasionally retell the following joke that Monsignor Donovan told at one mass:
A woman goes to enter a convent. The Mother Superior says to her, “My child, you understand that if you join our order, you will live under a vow of silence. Every 10 years you will get to speak two words.” The woman says, “Yes Mother Superior, I understand.” And she enters the convent.
Ten years pass, and she meets with the Mother Superior. “You’ve kept your vow for ten years; now, you may speak your two words.” The nun says, “Cold food.”
“Well, my child, I’m very sorry your meals have been cold all these years. We will try to do something about that.”
Another ten years go by, and the nun again meets with the Mother Superior. “You’ve lived among us silently all these years; you may now have another chance to speak.” “Hard bed,” the nun says.
“I’m very sorry you’ve been uncomfortable; we will try and get you a softer bed.”
Ten more years go by, and the nun meets a third time with the Mother Superior. “I quit,” she says.
“Well,” says the Mother Superior, “I’m not surprised. You’ve done nothing but complain since you got here!”
*****
Monsignor Donovan was an exceptional priest and he will be fondly remembered in Mount Kisco and in Saint Francis Church.
I would be thankful to anyone who could add a comment and share a story or memory provided by Monsignor Donovan.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians have an excellent biography at http://www.aohdiv16.org/news/13-monsignor-edward-james-donovan-passes-away.html
