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Early Life and Religious Formation
Valerian O’Leary was born Niall O’Leary on 5 September 1910 in Cork city. He received his preliminary education under the direction of the Christian Brothers in Cork. Following graduation, he entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order on 3 October 1927. He pronounced his solemn profession on 4 October 1931 and completed his theological curriculum over the ensuing years. He was ordained to the priesthood on 23 June 1935, at St. Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny, County Donegal.
Initial Ministry and Missionary Transfer
Following ordination, Father O’Leary served his initial clerical assignment as Assistant Master of Novices in Ireland from July 1935 to October 1936. In late 1936, he was transferred to the American missions, commencing his long service on the West Coast as Assistant Pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Roseburg, Oregon.
Apostolates and Governance
Father O’Leary held the unique distinction of working within every primary apostolate of the Western American Mission, encompassing parochial work, education, healthcare chaplaincy, formation, and administration:
• Educational Leadership: Appointed as the inaugural Principal of St. Francis High School in La Cañada Flintridge, California, directing the institution through its foundational years from 1946 until 1952.
• Provincial Governance: Elected as a member of the Custos-Provincial Council, serving a three-year administrative term from 1949 to 1952.
• Healthcare Chaplaincy: Served as Chaplain to the State Hospital in Ukiah, California, from 1957 to 1961, and later as Hospital Chaplain in Fresno, California, from 1968 to 1975.
• Local Superiorship: Appointed Guardian of San Lorenzo Seminary in Santa Ynez, California, serving from 1975 to 1982.
Archival Labors and Concluding Years
Upon completing his term as Guardian in 1982, Father O’Leary remained in residence at San Lorenzo Seminary. During this period, he dedicated his efforts to a long-term historical project initiated in 1972: updating, compiling, and publishing the Provincial Catalogue, a highly utilized reference registry for the jurisdiction. In his advanced years, Father O’Leary suffered from failing health. He died on 19 December 1991. He was buried in the Capuchin Provincial Cemetery, San Lorenzo Seminary, Santa Ynez, California.