He returned to the United States in 1863, and was appointed professor of rhetoric in St. John's College, Fordham. He was afterward rector of the Church of St. Francis Xavier, New York. During his pastorate the new Church was completed, principally through his instrumentality. He was selected by Cardinal McCloskey to take charge of the first pilgrimage that ever left America for Rome, and was treated with great distinction by the pope and cardinals.

He founded the Xavier Union in 1871, and took a prominent part in the formation of the Catholic Union, a body consisting of the leading Catholics of the state, which watches over Catholic interests. He was appointed their spiritual director by Cardinal McCloskey, and was the medium of communication between them and the cardinal.

On his appointment as rector of Fordham College in 1880, the representative Catholics of New York petitioned the general of the order to allow him to remain in the City, as the numerous societies with which he was connected would suffer by his absence. This was refused, but he was allowed to continue his connection with the Xavier and Catholic unions.

Father Dealy did much for the development of St. John's College, Fordham. He founded four scholarships of the yearly value of $400, open to competitors without distinction of creed, and established a special scientific course. He is a member of Convocation, and has lectured before the historical societies of New York and Brooklyn, principally on the early history of New York.

Edited Appletons Encyclopedia by John Looby, Copyright © 2001 StanKlos.com^TM

DEALY, Patrick Francis, clergyman, born in New York, of Irish parentage, in 1836. He was educated in the grammar schools of New York City, and afterward entered St. John's College, Fordham. After teaching in Fordham and in the Jesuit College of Montreal, he was sent to Europe to finish iris theological studies. He continued his ecclesiastical course in France, and afterward in Rome, but, owing to the danger of disturbances there in 1859, he was sent by his superiors to the University of Innsbruck. He returned to the United States in 1863, and was appointed professor of rhetoric in St. John's College, Fordham. He was afterward rector of the Church of St. Francis Xavier, New York. During his pastorate the new Church was completed, principally through his instrumentality. He was selected by Cardinal McCloskey to take charge of the first pilgrimage that ever-left America for Rome, and was treated with great distinction by the pope and cardinals. He founded the Xavier Union in 1871, and took a prominent part in the formation of the Catholic union, a body consisting of the leading Catholics of the state, which watches over Catholic interests. He was appointed their spiritual director by Cardinal McCloskey, and was the medium of communication between them and the cardinal. On his appointment as rector of" Fordham College in 1880, the representative Catholics of New York petitioned the general of the order to allow him to remain in the City, as the numerous societies with which he was connected would suffer by his absence. This was refused, but he was allowed to continue his connection with the Xavier and Catholic unions. Father Dealy did much for the development of St. John's College, Fordham. He founded four scholarships of the yearly value of $400, open to competitors without distinction of creed, and established a special scientific course. He is a member of Convocation, and has lectured before the historical societies of New York and Brooklyn, principally on the early history of New York.