LIFE
Father Frank Parrish, S.J.
An Extraordinary Life
Frank Parrish was born in the little town of Garvanza, which is now Highland Park, in Los Angeles County. He was baptized by Father Richard Gleeson, S.J., (founder of Saint Ignatius Loyola Church and Loyola College). He attended Saint Ignatius Elementary School in Highland Park. He graduated from Loyola High School in 1929 and entered the Society of Jesus. He began his teaching career in 1936 at Loyola High. In addition to his teaching duties he coached football, basketball, swimming, and was athletic director. Every Jesuit is forged by the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius and goes through this experience in the course of his novitiate and at the end of his formation, during the year of probation which precedes apostolic life. He was ordained June 13, 1942 in San Francisco (Saint Mary’s Cathedral). “God is Love” was the theme of his first retreat, May 22, 1944 at Sacred Heart Church, Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Father Frank J. Parrish, S.J., “Father Frank” — Born August 9, 1911, entered the Society of Jesus October 6, 1929, Ordained June 13, 1942, entered Eternal Life December 29, 2003.
1945—Sacred Heart Assignment
In 1945 Cardinal James Francis A. McIntyre appointed Father Frank Archdiocesan Director of the Apostleship of Prayer and the League of the Sacred Heart. The directorship was in addition to the appointment he already held as archdiocesan spiritual director for the deaf and hearing impaired. He held these two archdiocesan positions, and was actively engaged in giving retreats, missions, days of recollection, conferences, lectures, and radio and TV programs—all for the purpose of spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart. Father Frank’s ministry continued for the rest of his life.
Father Frank with Servant of God Cora Evans, circa 1947
1945—Cora Evans Appointment
Also, in 1945 Father Frank was appointed confessor and spiritual director for Cora Evans. This was in direct response to Cora’s plea to the Provincial of the Jesuits, Father Joseph J. King, S.J. The details of their first encounter, and his guidance of her soul, are described in the section of this document titled, The Remarkable Story.
1948—Loyola University Announcement
In September 1948, it was announced that Father Frank was the new Dean of Men at Loyola University. From 1948 to 1965, he served in various capacities at LMU, including sodality director and theology professor teaching the required one-year course on the Principles of Morality for non-Catholic students.
Nationwide Broadcaster
While serving as archdiocesan Apostleship of Prayer director, Father Frank began his broadcasting career with “The Catholic Quarter Hour” radio program followed by appearance on “The Sacred Heart” television program (nationwide broadcast on over 1000 radio stations and 25 television stations, reaching millions of listeners and viewers). In the 1980s, he appeared regularly on the nationally syndicated Catholic television program, “Heart of the Nation,” presiding at televised Masses and appearing as a guest commentator. His broadcasting ministry encompassed almost a half-century and many of his talks are summarized in his books, Sparks From His Heart and The Divine Embrace.
Renowned Retreat Master
A popular retreat master, Father Frank led many retreats at the Manresa Retreat House in Azusa, California, where he served as superior from 1965–1971. In 1971, he moved to Colombiere House, the Jesuit residence in Los Angeles where he served as superior until 1990, continuing his work with the Apostleship of Prayer and the League of the Sacred Heart. In his retreats and talks he emphasized the Sacred Heart and the Mystical Humanity of Christ.
Father Frank shown here at Manresa Retreat House
Highly Respected Spiritual Leader
Throughout his years of active ministry, Father Frank also served as:
- Chaplain to the Boy Scouts of Los Angeles, honored as Distinguished Eagle Scout
- Chaplain to Catholic Daughters of Americas
- Chaplain to the Knights of Columbus in California
- Teacher of Theology and Athletic Director at Loyola High School in Los Angeles
- Received a “The Mary and Joseph League” special recognition
The Miracle
On February 23, 1990, Father Parrish was called to Santa Teresita Hospital in Duarte to minister to his unconscious friend, Jesuit Father John Houle, who was dying from terminal pulmonary fibrosis. Father Frank blessed the patient with a first class relic of Blessed Claude la Colombiere, “Instead of praying to several saints, I implored Blessed Claude only. When I left the room, I told the small group of relatives and friends that he was going to be all right. I don’t know how, but I knew it.” The next day, Father Houle regained consciousness and began a startling recovery. Most Reverend John Ward headed the investigative team of the canonical tribunal that documented the cure for the needed miracle to declare Blessed Claude a Saint. On May 31, 1992, Father Frank and Father Houle sat side-by-side in the front row of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, witnessing the solemn canonization of Saint Claude. After Saint Claude la Colombiere’s canonization, Father Parrish and Father Houle had a private audience with Pope John Paul II.
1992—Custodian Appointed
In November, 1992, Father Frank asked his nephew, Michael McDevitt to become custodian for the writings of Cora Evans and to continue the mission entrusted to her.
1993—Organization Founded
Father Frank founded the Mystical Humanity of Christ, Inc., a Catholic non-profit organization with the two-fold mission: to promulgate the Mystical Humanity of Christ as a way of prayer life for individuals throughout the world, and to publish the writings of Cora Evans which will become the catalyst for conversions, especially mass conversions of Mormons to Catholicism.
Father Frank with Michael McDevitt (left) and Rob Bussell, Ph.D. at Colombiere House
Father Frank shown here saying Mass at Santa Teresita Hospital. He said Mass every day, even when confined to bed, until a few days before he passed away. He entered into Eternal Life on December 29, 2003.
Retreats Promulgate the Mystical Humanity
The first retreat to use excerpts from the writings of Cora Evans as seeds of meditation was held in 1993 at Manresa Retreat House in Azusa, California. Numerous retreats were held at Colombiere House before the devotion and Cora’s reputation for holiness spread to Parishes nationwide.
The Final Years
In his later years, he lived at Santa Teresita Hospital where he continued give Parish retreats focusing on the Mystical Humanity and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Several retreats were conducted at the Hospital with attendees gathering from throughout Southern California. During these final years of his life he prayed with patients and their families, the Carmelite Sisters and the staff, and visited the children at the hospital’s day care Center. He even offered Mass from his bed until one week before his death. During the last week of his life, Jesuit priests visited daily and said Mass in his room.
