How do you help a boy who is bent on self-destruction?
Born in Chicago in 1892, Raymond O'Brien studied for the Priesthood at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, MD and was ordained in 1921. He was then appointed teacher and spiritual advisor at the newly established Quigley Preparatory Seminary, where he taught high-school age boys who were considering the priesthood. During these difficult years of Prohibition and Depression, he became intimately familiar with the temptations and discouragement experienced by young men. He dedicated himself to this cause, establishing numerous youth groups at Blessed Sacrament Parish, where he was transferred in 1936, and where he was known never to turn away troubled youths. He also served as auxiliary chaplain at the Bridewell and County Jail. He was honored with the title of Monsignor in 1949 in recognition of his humanitarian work as well as his promulgation of the faith, and he died in October 1963, a most beloved pastor and friend of boys. (bio of Msgr. Raymond J. O'Brien copyright 2016 by St. Augustine Academy Press)
