Father Phillip Henry Dagneau, the patriarch of the Marist Community here, will celebrate June 8th the diamond Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood.

Father Dagneau was born in 1884 in Ontario, Canada, and seemed destined to be an educator when he received his PHD at birth.

He was ordained by Cardinal Gibbons in Baltimore in 1909.

Between his birth in 1894 and his arrival in Atlanta in 1927, he saw quite a bit of the United States and lived through some historic events- the San Francisco fire, the flooding of the Mississippi in Louisiana, and Mormon life in Utah.

His arrival in Atlanta heralded the renaissance of Marist College. By dint of determined effort and adherence to strict policies, he was able to raise the standard of the school and to weather the storm of the depression.

For 25 years he served as principal of the old Marist on Ivy Street, working in close cooperation and serving in various capacities on the executive board of the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

In 1953, when he handed the reins of administration of the school over to Father Brennan, Marist had established a tradition as an institution which accepted boys and turned out men, prepared for college and life.

Since his retirement as principal, Father Dagneau has been anything but inactive. At 85, he still meets his French class daily. He is the first member of the community to rise in the morning.

Faithful to his religious exercises, he spends a considerable amount of time in the Chapel offering his daily Mass and assisting at the Masses of the other Marist Fathers.

Once known as a ‘walker” in downtown Atlanta, he now finds relaxation and interest in his garden with his flowers and plants. Father Dagneau asks no concessions because of his age.

Although he may be old enough to be great grandfather of some of his associates, he waits his turn in the daily activities of the community. Senior privileges are unknown to him.

He is keenly interested in the news of the day, and he keeps abreast of current events. Truly, he is a remarkable man.