Fonds - Rev. John A. O'Reilly fonds

John A. O'Reilly (1867-1933), Catholic priest and author, was born on 17 February 1867 at Placentia, Newfoundland, eldest son of Sarah (Phelan) and Thomas O'Reilly. He died at Montreal in December 1933.

O'Reilly received his early education in the parish school at Placentia. He attended St. Bonaventure's College, St. John's (1885-1888) and the Irish College in Rome (1888-92). O'Reilly was ordained a priest in the chapel of the Irish College by Archbishop Lenti on 16 April 1892 and celebrated his first Mass in St. Agatha's Church, Rome, the following day.

O'Reilly's first appointment was as curate in the Cathedral Parish of St. John the Baptist, St. John's (1892-99). While carrying out this ministry he established a night school for working class boys in the city. In 1889 Rev. O'Reilly wrote "Notes on Rome: The Capital of the Christian World" a manuscript published by Devine and O'Mara, St. John's.

In 1899 Rev. O'Reilly was appointed as parish priest of St. Joseph's Parish, Salmonier. In 1919 he was established in St. John, New Brunswick as one of the contributing staff of the Diocesan Paper, The New Freeman. He authored the book, The Last Sentinel of Castle Hill. O'Reilly was a frequent contributor to the Newfoundland Quarterly. Based on an article in the Evening Telegram (5 July 1919), some have speculated that Rev. O'Reilly was the author of five historical novels.

In 1921 Rev. O'Reilly was hopitalized in Montreal. While his health somewhat improved, O'Reilly was unable to resume active pastoral ministry. He was confined to a rest home on Montreal where he lived a quiet life until his death in 1933.