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September 24, 2020An inspirational teacher, a good priest and a faithful monk, Father Joseph Murphy, O.S.B., was the kind of man who provided the spark in young people to appreciate the joy of learning.
Born Francis Murphy on Dec. 1, 1910, in the small hamlet of Chattanooga, Okla., he was one of five children. He graduated valedictorian of the class of 1927 at Saint Mary High School in Lawton. He attended Saint Gregory’s, joined the abbey and was sent to Saint John’s in Collegeville, Minn., completing his philosophy and theology requirements. Bishop Francis Kelley ordained him to the priesthood on May 30, 1936.
Father Joe (as he was affectionately known) would go on to get his master’s degree and doctorate degree in history at the University of Oklahoma. It was in the classroom where his gifts came to the fore. Voted “Teacher of the Year” by the students of Saint Gregory’s numerous times, his wit and style attracted many admirers. With a gravel voice and an animated delivery, Father Joe had the unique ability to make history vibrant and real. One of his favorite phrases when worked up by an event was “Holy cats, man!”
A former student observed: “Father Joe made me a history buff. I had always had history teachers in high school who were less than interested in the subject they taught. Father Joe’s opinions (and he had them) were always thought-provoking and genuinely interesting. He had the uncanny knack of prodding someone into wanting to know more about whatever topic he discussed. More importantly, he revealed to us that it is critical to know who we are by examining what and who had gone before us. That is a gift for which I am eternally grateful.”
Father Joe was a friend and supporter of the Potawatomi Tribe. In fact, the tribe was subject of his doctoral dissertation and was bestowed the honor of being an adopted Potawatomi in 1985.
His book “Tenacious Monks” was a centennial history of Saint Gregory’s Abbey published in 1974. It is an invaluable tool in understanding the trials, tribulations and triumphs of the Church in Oklahoma. He also wrote “Potawatomi of the West: Origins of the Citizen Band” in 1988.
Throughout his nearly 60 years as a monk, he served in various parishes in Oklahoma as well as California, and over the years worked as a supply priest, especially at Fort Sill, which he relished. This good and faithful servant left this life while visiting relatives in California on Oct. 19, 1989, and the funeral Mass was celebrated in the parish in which he had served, Saint Benedict in Montebello. His body was returned to his home, Saint Gregory’s Abbey, and is buried in the Abbey Cemetery.
