Longtime Province Review editor Father John Wilson dies at 92

Author: Dennis Brown

Word has been received of the death of Rev. John H. Wilson, C.S.C., a 1932 University of Notre Dame graduate and longtime member of the Notre Dame and South Bend communities.p. Father Wilson died Saturday (Feb. 9) in Holy Cross House. He was 92.p. A native of Chicago, Father Wilson received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Notre Dame and, in 1934, earned his law degree from the Kent College of Law. He entered the Congregation of Holy Cross the same year and was ordained in 1941.p. Father Wilson was best known for his 36-year tenure as editor of Province Review, a news publication published by the Congregation’s Indiana Province. He was asked in 1962 to serve as interim editor of the publication, but the temporary assignment soon became permanent and long term, ending in 1998, when he was awarded the title editor emeritus.p. Immediately prior to becoming editor, Father Wilson served at Notre Dame for three years as an administrative assistant to the president, Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., and as director of the Notre Dame Foundation, overseeing the University’s fund-raising and public relations activities.p. In earlier years, Father Wilson served the Congregation as a teacher and director of vocations and as assistant director of development for the Indiana Province. He also spent two years as associate editor of The Catholic Boy magazine.p. Father Wilson also made major contributions to the Congregation and the greater South Bend community in developing substance abuse awareness and assistance programs. He created a province policy on chemical dependency, counseled people suffering with addictions and their families, and assisted with the development of South Bend’s Center for the Homeless and Life Treatment Center.p. A wake service will be held for Father Wilson at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 13) in the chapel of Moreau Seminary. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 14) in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame. Burial will follow in the Holy Cross community cemetery on campus.

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