Archief - Rev. Robert Andrew St. John fonds

Robert Andrew St. John (1892-1983), Catholic priest, was born at St. John's, Newfoundland, on 29 November 1892, son of Margaret (Hackett) and John St. John. He died at St. Patrick's Mercy Home, St. John's, in 1983.

St. John completed his early education at St. Bonaventure's College (1898-1909). He worked in his father's retail business (1909-12), but returned to St. Bonaventure's in January 1912 with the intention of preparing for the priesthood. In September 1912 St. John entered Holy Heart Seminary, Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he pursued a two- year course in philosophy. He transferred to St. Augustine's Seminary, Toronto, where he completed his studies in theology (1914-17). St. John was ordained a priest in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, St. John's, by Archbishop Edward Patrick Roche on 24 August 1917. Following his ordination he completed a course of studies at the Catholic University of Washington (1917-18) and resided in the Apostolic Mission House directed by the Paulist Fathers. In 1919 Rev. St. John, with a letter of support from Archbishop Roche, began exploring the possibility of joining a religious order that specialized in retreats and missionary work.

When Rev. St. John returned to the Archdiocese he worked in the following parishes: Sacred Heart (St. Bride's), St. Michael's (Bell Island), Holy Trinity (Ferryland), Sacred Heart (Placentia) and St. Patrick's (St. John's). In 1930 he was appointed parish priest of St. Edward's Parish, Topsail and Kelligrews, where he served from 1938 to 1948. He was transferred as parish priest to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Outer Cove (1948-68).

St. John retired from the parish in 1968 and took up residence in his private apartment, Bonaventure Avenue, St. John's, remaining there almost up to the time of his death.