Fr. Harry Byrne, OP
Funeral Arrangements
Saturday, August 16, 2025
St. Vincent Ferrer Parish
1530 Jackson Ave
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 366-7090
9:50 AM Reception of the Body
10:00 AM Sung Morning Prayer/Office of the Dead
11:00 AM Funeral Mass
Luncheon to follow in Cabrini Hall
Burial at All Saints Cemetery
Obituary
Harry Michael Byrne was born in Chicago, IL, on November 19, 1941, to Harry Byrne and Monica Johnston. He was baptized at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Chicago and attended McHenry Community High School in McHenry, IL.
Harry first entered the Dominican Order in 1962, studying at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, before departing in 1964. He re-entered the Order from 1966 to 1968 and earned his bachelor’s degree from Aquinas Institute in River Forest, IL. Afterward, he moved to Florida, where he taught theology and psychology at Catholic Schools in Tampa and Miami. He earned a master’s degree in guidance from the University of South Florida in 1972.
He entered the Dominican Order for the final time in 1974. He professed solemn vows on October 11, 1977, and was ordained to the priesthood on April 8, 1978. Fr. Harry received an M.A. in theology and Master of Divinity from Aquinas Institute of Theology (then located in Dubuque) and a 1986 Doctor of Ministry from Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, MO.
Following his ordination, Fr. Harry taught briefly at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, IL, and Aquinas Institute of Theology. He returned to Fenwick High School for another teaching assignment from 1980 to 1983, during which time he also served as Provincial Promoter for Vocations.
In 1984, Fr. Harry was assigned to Aquinas Institute of Theology (now located in St. Louis, MO, since 1981), where he served as Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology until 2011 and then as professor emeritus. He received the Great Preacher Award from Aquinas Institute in 2020. Fr. Harry also held several leadership roles within the Dominican communities in St. Louis. From 1984 to 1990, he served as Prior of St. Dominic Priory, and from 1989 to 1993, he was Master of Students, guiding the formation of young friars. Later, he became Prior of St. Louis Bertrand House from 2005 to 2008, and in 2011, he was appointed superior of that community, a role he faithfully held until he retired to St. Pius V Priory in Chicago, IL, in 2024. After protracted health issues, he passed away on August 2.
Fr. Harry was recognized as an excellent spiritual director. He had dozens of directees over the years, Dominican friars, sisters, and lay men and women. Students also loved him in the classroom. One of his students told him that all his classes were like a retreat! He led a peer group of spiritual directors in St. Louis and developed the Certificate in Spiritual Direction at Aquinas Institute. He wanted to recover the distinctive method of Dominican spiritual direction, which preceded the more famous Ignatian tradition by centuries.
Fr. Harry was deeply caring and communal. He never missed a birthday or an anniversary and kept a list of people he prayed for regularly. He shared poems with brothers and friends. Until his passing, he was part of a virtual club that discussed short stories. Harry was quiet, constant, and dependable. Above all, he was a brother and a friend.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 16, at 11:00 AM at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, 1530 Jackson Ave, River Forest, IL, preceded by Office of the Dead at 10:00 AM—interment at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL. Memorial Donations to the Dominicans, Province of St. Albert the Great, 1910 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60608-2904, www.opcentral.org, are greatly appreciated.
