Fr. Silvan Boyle, OCarm (1923-2018)

Fr. Silvan Francis Boyle, O. Carm

Born: June 10, 1923 in Pittsburgh

Professed Solemn Vows: Oct. 7, 1945 for the Carmelite Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary

Ordained: June 8, 1948

Service in the Diocese of Phoenix

St. Agnes Parish, 1992-1996

Retired to the Carmelite house in Phoenix in 1999

Died: Jan. 26, 2018

Carmelite Father Silvan Boyle, parochial vicar at St. Agnes Parish in Phoenix in the early 1990s, died Jan. 26 at his residence in Phoenix. He was 94 years old.

“He was always laughing,” said prior provincial Carmelite Father William J. Harry.

He said Fr. Silvan would start telling a story and laugh so hard he wouldn’t finish it.

Fr. Silvan was born Francis William in Pittsburgh, June 10, 1923, to Francis and Mary Agnes Boyle.

Francis entered Mount Carmel Junior Seminary in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in 1937. Francis entered the Carmelite Novitiate in New Baltimore, Pennsylvania, in 1941 and professed Carmelite vows a year later, taking the name of Silvan. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and in 1945, made his solemn profession. He attended the Catholic University of America studying theology and education. Fr. Silvan was ordained a priest June 8, 1948.

As a priest he taught in Chicago and Hamilton, Massachusetts.

Fr. Silvan moved to Lima, Peru where he taught at the Colegio Nuestra Señora del Carmen, José Galvez, and served at the local parish 1967-83.

At a recent 50-year celebration of the Carmelite mission, parishioners still remembered the work of Fr. Silvan and gave him a standing ovation when his name was mentioned, Fr. Harry said.

Fr. Silvan also served at parishes in Stockton and Los Angeles, California, before being assigned to St. Agnes Parish in Phoenix in 1992. He then served at a parish in Houston before retiring. In 1999, Fr. Silvan returned to Phoenix, living at the Carmelite House until his death.

He was preceded in death by his four brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his nieces and nephews and his Carmelite brothers.