Rev. Ambrose J. Godsil, O.S.A. (1910-1989)
Rev. Ambrose J. Godsil, O.S.A. entered eternal life on August 4, 1989.
Ambrose J. Godsil was born on May 22, 1910 in Aurora, Illinois to James and Ella (McCarthy) Godsil. He was baptized on June 5, 1910 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Aurora. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation in October of 1924 at St. Rita Catholic Church, Chicago, Illinois.
Following graduation in 1925 from St. Rita Catholic School, Chicago, Ambrose enrolled in St. Rita High School, Chicago. After two years there, he transfered to Lindblom High School, Chicago, which awarded him a high school diploma in 1929.
After having spent five years in the work force, Ambrose entered the Augustinian program of formation in 1934 at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, where he did a year of post-graduate studies in Latin. He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate on September 9, 1935. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine on September 10, 1936 and solemn (permanent) vows on September 10, 1940.
Ambrose earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1940. He then pursued the course of theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., from 1940 to 1944. While studying Theology, he also did graduate studies at Catholic University of America, Washington, earning an M.A. in Psychology in 1944. He was ordained a priest on May 18, 1944.
Father Godsil taught in the 1944 summer school session at Cascia Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was then assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, where he taught until 1949.
He began a career in parish ministry when he was assigned in 1949 as Assistant Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. In 1952, Father Godsil went to St. Matthew Parish, Flint, Michigan, where he was Assistant Pastor. From 1956 to 1965, he was Assistant Pastor of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish, Chicago.
He returned in 1965 to St. Matthew Parish, Flint, where he was Assistant Pastor and Prior (local superior) of the Augustinian community. In 1966, he was named Pastor of St. Matthew.
When he reached the age of 70 in 1980, Father Godsil retired as Pastor, but he remained active in ministry at St. Matthew.
In the mid-1980's, Father Godsil suffered increasingly from ill health. He died on August 4, 1989 in Flint of cardiac arrest, brought on by respiratory illness. He was 79.
As a parish priest, Father Godsil was ever faithful to his service and became very close to the hearts of the people.
He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.
Memorial gifts may be made to: The Midwest Augustinians, 10161 S Longwood Dr, Chicago, IL 60643-2032 or via our Online Giving Page.
