Father Robert John Lennon, C.Ss.R., of the St. Alphonsus Villa community, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, died on May 20, 2026, at the age of 95. Born August 25, 1930, in Boston to Michael and Mary (Cullen), he was baptized November 14, 1930, in Blessed Sacrament Church in Jamaica Plain, MA, and was confirmed at Mission Church in Boston on May 20, 1943. He entered the minor seminary in 1946, entered the novitiate in 1951, and professed temporary vows as a Redemptorist in 1952. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 23, 1957.
After a short time in the Vice-Province of Richmond (1959-1963), he returned to the Baltimore province proper where he served as rector and pastor in many parishes and communities over the years. He spent more than twenty-five years in healing ministry at Mission Church in Boston. From there he often traveled to preach missions or sat quietly at home where he would pray the rosary over the phone with people or simply listen with a kind ear. In 2022, he moved to St. Alphonsus Villa, where he was well loved. “Never an unkind word from him,” a Redemptorist confrere said of him. “Please send us more Father Lennons,” said one staff member at the Villa. “Father Lennon was the face of Christ,” said another.
Fr. Lennon often broke into song at the end of a meal at the Villa, singing with his Boston friend, Fr. John Hennessy. A favorite song was Er lebe hoch, translated as “May he live long” or “Three cheers for him.” That is our prayer for him now as we might imagine him singing with all the saints in heaven. Fr. Lennon died on May 20, 83 years to the day on which he received the gift of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. May that Spirit whom he served so well, especially in his healing ministry, comfort his loved ones and Redemptorist confreres and welcome him into eternal life. May he rest in peace.
The funeral services for Father Lennon are as follows. Visitation and wake service will take place on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at the William J. Gormley Funeral Home at 2055 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA 02132. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 10:30 AM followed by interment in Mount Calvary Cemetery at 366 Cummins Highway, Roslindale, Massachusetts 02131. The Funeral Mass will be streamed live on YouTube on Saturday, May 30, at 10:30 AM. Click the link below to join in the celebration:
https://www.youtube.com/live/KFK_3J4Hbac?si=lhFtlcpXRHFhTHQA
https://www.youtube.com/live/KFK_3J4Hbac?si=lhFtlcpXRHFhTHQA/
After a short time in the Vice-Province of Richmond (1959-1963), he returned to the Baltimore province proper where he served as rector and pastor in many parishes and communities over the years. He spent more than twenty-five years in healing ministry at Mission Church in Boston. From there he often traveled to preach missions or sat quietly at home where he would pray the rosary over the phone with people or simply listen with a kind ear. In 2022, he moved to St. Alphonsus Villa, where he was well loved. “Never an unkind word from him,” a Redemptorist confrere said of him. “Please send us more Father Lennons,” said one staff member at the Villa. “Father Lennon was the face of Christ,” said another.
Fr. Lennon often broke into song at the end of a meal at the Villa, singing with his Boston friend, Fr. John Hennessy. A favorite song was Er lebe hoch, translated as “May he live long” or “Three cheers for him.” That is our prayer for him now as we might imagine him singing with all the saints in heaven. Fr. Lennon died on May 20, 83 years to the day on which he received the gift of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. May that Spirit whom he served so well, especially in his healing ministry, comfort his loved ones and Redemptorist confreres and welcome him into eternal life. May he rest in peace.
The funeral services for Father Lennon are as follows. Visitation and wake service will take place on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at the William J. Gormley Funeral Home at 2055 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA 02132. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 10:30 AM followed by interment in Mount Calvary Cemetery at 366 Cummins Highway, Roslindale, Massachusetts 02131. The Funeral Mass will be streamed live on YouTube on Saturday, May 30, at 10:30 AM. Click the link below to join in the celebration:
https://www.youtube.com/live/KFK_3J4Hbac?si=lhFtlcpXRHFhTHQA
https://www.youtube.com/live/KFK_3J4Hbac?si=lhFtlcpXRHFhTHQA/
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