I have recently transferred to Brighton, MA to work as the
Northeast Delegate for the OCDS membership. I have been asked to give you a
brief autobiography.
I was born in Boston, Massachusetts. My family moved to Belmont in 1946 where I
grew up. I enter the Discalced Carmelite Order in Waverly, NY in 1967,
thirty-eight years ago. I already had a Bachelor’s Degree in Scholastic
Philosophy from St. Francis College in Biddeford ME [now the University of New
England]. I made my first vows on August 15, 1968. I studied theology at
Catholic University in Washington, DC and was ordained a priest on May 10th1972.
I have lived in many of our monasteries in this Province. This is my second stay
in Brighton. I lived in Waverly, NY three times; West Milwaukee twice; Two short
visits Brookline, MA; twice at Holy Hill in Wisconsin, once in DC, our hermitage
in Hinton, WV. and once in Peterborough, NH for 13 years. I was the superior in
New Hampshire and Holy Hill.
I lived with Fr. Regis Jordan for the first time when I entered the Novitiate in
1967. I knew John Grennon, now Fr. John, while I was at St. Francis College.
Twenty years later John entered the Order himself. So we are old college
friends. I look forward to working with both of them at delegates to the OCDS
membership.
Those of you who know me know that I like icons. Icons help me in my prayer and
meditation; I use them also for preaching retreats and homilies as well. My
office and room are not finished because I have a pile of icons in each room
just waiting to go on the walls, shelves, tables, and desk. I just have not had
the time to plan their arrangement. One day soon they will be arranged.
Fr. Paul Fohlin, O. C. D.