Reception for Msgr. M. Francis Mannion's 50th jubilee
SALT LAKE CITY — St Vincent de Paul Parish will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the priestly ordination of its former pastor, Monsignor M. Francis Mannion, on May 21.
“I cannot believe it’s been 50 years,” Msgr. Mannion told the Intermountain Catholic. “Now the younger priests regard me as an old priest.”
Msgr. Mannion was born in Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland in 1948. He attended Catholic elementary and high schools in County Galway. At the age of 19 he entered the Pontifical University of Maynooth in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland where he received the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in theology.
“I have always wanted to become a priest, not least because of the great priests I knew, those associated with my family all the way through high school,” he said. “There is always the consideration that my grandaunt Sr. Martha, a Presentation sister, took me in her arms when I was 3 months old and offered me to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a future priest!”
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Salt Lake City in Thurles Cathedral on June 9, 1973 by the Most Rev. T.A. Morris, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly.
Not wanting to stay in Ireland, “I went to a seminary that prepared priests for ministry in English-speaking countries abroad,” he said. “I chose the U.S., not least because I had many relatives who had moved to Virginia as early as the 18th century. I chose Salt Lake City for a number of reasons, and I have always been happy that I did.”
Msgr. Mannion later received a master’s degree in liturgical studies and a PhD in systematic/sacramental theology from Catholic University of America. He also was recognized with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Penn. in 2000.
In the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Msgr. Mannion served as associate pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Salt Lake City, and St. Joseph Parish, Ogden. At St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Salt Lake City he served as parochial administrator for one term and as pastor for two terms.
He also served from 1986 to 2000 as rector of the Cathedral of the Madeleine and was instrumental in the interior renovation of that building, which began early in 1991 and was completed in 1993. In 1991, at the request of the Most Rev. William K. Weigand, seventh bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Pope John Paul II named Fr. Mannion a domestic proper monsignor to recognize him for his work raising funds for and overseeing the cathedral’s restoration. Msgr. Mannion was presented with the Legacy of Service award in 2018 on the 25th anniversary of cathedral’s rededication in honor of his efforts.
“The best years of my ministry were at the Cathedral of the Madeleine,” he said. “The cathedral ministry was and is very challenging. The renovation, which took years – six years planning and three years of execution – took every talent that I had. I was, in effect, the owner’s representative – the go-between the bishop, the architects and the contractors. It was a monumental learning experience for which I had no preparation.”
In addition to his pastoral assignments, Msgr. Mannion served as a diocesan consultor and as diocesan director for theological affairs. He also was the founding director of the Mundelein Liturgical Institute in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He has given lectures and addresses at many academic institutions and venues throughout the country, including the University of Utah, St. John’s University in Minnesota and St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. From 1991 to 1992 he was co-presenter of “From the Cathedral,” a weekly program on KUTV. He has published 1,400 columns for Catholic newspapers and magazines since 1984. Currently, he is working on a book about heaven, which will be published this summer.
“Monsignor Mannion’s years of priestly service to the Diocese of Salt Lake City have been marked with four special gifts: his love for theology, divine worship, sacred music and concern for the poor,” Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general, said. “At his own initiative, he sought advanced studies at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and under several bishops he served as Diocesan Director of Theological Affairs, in addition to his pastoral assignments.”
Of Msgr. Mannion’s soon-to-be-published book, Msgr. Bircumshaw said, “I eagerly away reading it and learning all about what awaits me on the other side.”
In 2014 Msgr. Mannion began the Benvegnu Lecture Series at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, which he organized in memory of Msgr. Mark Benvegnu, the parish’s pastor from 1962 to 1986.
After experiencing some medical issues, Msgr. Mannion retired in 2012. He resides at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, and has remained active in ministry.
“I am technically retired, but I do not like the term ‘retired priest,’” he said. “I minister at St. Vincent’s full-time. I regard myself as an unofficial parochial vicar. The great thing is I do not have to worry about parish finances, the DDD [Diocesan Development Drive] and leaky roofs.”
To recognize Msgr. Mannion’s Golden Jubilee, a reception will be held Sunday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in St. Vincent de Paul Parish’s Holy Family Hall, 1375 E. Spring Lane, Salt Lake City.
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