In Memoriam: Fr. Glanville Ignatius Joseph, C.Ss.R.
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September 28, 2023Glanville Ignatius Joseph, C.Ss.R., a member of the St. Alphonsus Villa community in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, died, age 71 and nine months.
Born in St. John, Antigua, January 5, 1952, to Alexis Ignatius Joseph and Mary (Allen), he was baptized in the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Antigua, where he also received the sacrament of confirmation.
As a boy he attended the Foundation Mixed School and for high school, St. Joseph’s Academy in St. John’s, conducted by the Christian Brothers. He was always close to the Church, serving as typist to Bishop Antoon Demets, C.Ss.R., even as a high schooler.
After two years of college at University College Galway, Ireland (1977-1979), he entered Kimmage Manor Seminary in Dublin (Holy Ghost Missionary College conducted by the Spiritans) with the idea that he be destined for service in Trinidad.
He enrolled from 1980 to 1983. However, he decided to enter the Redemptorists and was received into the order at St. Joseph Monastery, Dundalk, Ireland, where he made his first profession on September 13, 1980.
He received minor orders in Dominica at the hands of Bishop Arnold Boghaert, C.Ss.R. and was ordained to the diaconate on Trinidad, May 20, 1984, by Archbishop Anthony Pantin, C.Ss.P. He was ordained to the presbyterate on July 1, 1984, in Dominica by Bishop Boghaert.
Father Joseph’s assignments thereafter are as follows: St. Joseph (1984-1985); Sts. Peter and Paul, Calihaut (pastor, 1985-1986); St. Joseph (1986-1987; pastor, 1987-1992); Our Lady of the Assumption, Wesley, Dominica (pastor, 1992-1993); Our Lady of Fatima, Newtown, Dominica (rector and pastor, 1993-2002); Our Lady of the Assumption, Vieux Fort, St. Lucia (pastor, 2002-2005).
Between September 2005 and June 2006, Father Joseph went on sabbatical at Marianella, Dublin, and Sangre De Cristo Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Upon his return to the Caribbean, he was stationed at St. Clement House, Belfast, Dominica (2006- 2008); Holy Redeemer Retreat House, Eggleston, Dominica (2008-2009); St. Theresa, Barataria (rector, February 2010-); St. Clement House, Belfast, Dominica (2013-; rector, 2015, 2017, 2018); St. Alphonsus Villa, New Smyrna Beach, Florida (2020-2023).
One of Father Joseph’s stand out ministries was continuous involvement with “Engage Encounter,” a marriage preparation program. He also thrived doing mission preaching and retreat ministry.