Rev. Augustine Belinda T.O.R.

Fr. Augustine Belinda, T.O.R., 91, of the Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, died April 26th, 2019 at St. Francis Friary—Mt. Assisi, Loretto, Pennsylvania, after an illness. He was the son of the late Gabriel John and Mary Medline (Mindek) Belinda. Born George Belinda in 1928, Fr. Augustine spent years of service in the United States Army, seeing combat action in the Korean War, before being honorably discharged in 1956. Soon thereafter, he entered the postulancy of the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as a candidate for the lay brotherhood.  He professed first vows in 1959 and solemn vows in 1962.  It was not until later in his life that Fr. Augustine was ordained to the priesthood in 1993 after completing studies at the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. Throughout his faithful Franciscan life, Fr. Augustine served the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in a variety of capacities, including years as a staff member at the Third Order Regular Generalate in Rome, Italy and as a Business teacher at Saint Francis Preparatory School in Spring Grove, PA. Before his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Augustine also spent time serving in the Franciscan, T.O.R. Mission Store in Loretto, PA and in studies at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. After his ordination, Fr. Augustine served as the parochial vicar at St. Joseph Church in Herndon, VA, as a hospital chaplain in the Diocese of Fort Worth, TX, and as a mission pastor in Wessington Springs, SD. In 2003, Fr. Augustine returned home to Loretto, PA, where he spent his retirement engaged in the ministry of prayer and contemplation. During his years in full-time ministry as well as in his retirement, Fr. Augustine inspired many by his humble spirit, joyful presence, and the art of conversation.  As he felt the effects of age, he persevered and “fought the good fight.” He has now gone to claim his reward in the Kingdom of Heaven.  His presence will be missed by family and friars. Fr. Augustine was preceded in death by his six brothers: Stephen, Andrew, Michael, Joseph, John, and Peter; and four sisters: Agnes Belinda, Margaret Belinda, Mary Meckley, and Helen Kresge. He is survived by his sisters Kathryn Orlosky of Lititz, PA, and Hannah Orlosky of Phillipsburg, PA; as well as by numerous nieces and nephews and his fraternity of Franciscan friars. Friends will be received at the Chapel of St. Francis Friary-Mt. Assisi, Loretto, PA, Monday, April 29, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. until the vigil service at 7:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Friary-Mt. Assisi, Loretto, PA, with Very Rev. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., Minister Provincial as principal celebrant.  Following the Mass, interment will take place at the Franciscan Friars Cemetery, on the campus of St. Francis University, Loretto, PA. Arrangements by Gibbons Funeral Home, 301 Church Street, Gallitzin, PA 16641. Military Rites by Loretto American Legion and other local military organizations.

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