Fr. Albert Patrick Lawler, OP

During the course of Fr. Lawler's vocation in the Western Dominican Province he ministered in varied capacities.  In addition to his priestly duties, he served as Sacristan, Procurator, Rector, First Prior in Portland, Oregon, Syndic, Sub-Prior, Master of Lay Brothers, and Vicar Coop, and some of these positions he held more than once.

He was born in Queens County, Ireland and came to New York at sixteen years of age.  From there he moved to San Francisco.  Before entering the Dominicans, he studied and taught at Precious Blood College in Humboldt County, later he moved to Grass Valley.   Eventually, he arrived in Benicia, California and entered the Novitiate.  He studied under Fr. Sadoc Vilarrasa and Fr. Vincent Vinyes.  It was through his efforts that the present church of St. Dominic's in Benicia was built.  When he became ill, he asked to prepare for death at the community he was so much part of, St. Dominic's in Benicia.

Letter to the Prior Provincial

Holy Rosary Church and Priory
375 Clackamas Street
Portland, OregonJuly 9th, 1918

Very Rev. Father A. L. McMahon, O.P.,
Provincial Holy Name Prov.

Very Rev. Dear Fr. Provincial,

Your kind letter informing us, that the Very Rev. Fr. Olsen is our new Prior came to hand this P.M. just before Fr. O'Brien departed from here to go to Cala [California]. I am delighted that the Priorship is settled, also that good Fr. Lamb is to visit us for 4 weeks; yet I do not see the way to send anyone to the Beach until someone is here, as Fr. Skelly goes to B.C. [British Columbia] again for next Sunday to be away for about two Sundays giving retreats; that leaves us the same 3 Fathers at home to celebrate the 6 Masses on Sundays and attend the Good Shepherds on the week days also. We try to keep the Divine Office going the best we can under our present condition.

I understand that you are contemplating some changes and I would like very much that you would not forget this old worn out man, who has outlived his usefulness in this part of the world, and would humbly suggest that he be transferred to the home of the infirm in Benicia, that I may have a little more time to prepare for the end of my course. The past Winter was a pretty severe test to me and I presume that the coming one will not be any less. Besides, folks are saying that Holy Rosary Priory is become a home for aged priests and the Prior has not sufficient help....

I am certain that the new Prior will be more than pleased if I am changed to Benicia and a more active and capable man sent in my place. I am more than willing to assist him to obtain someone more to his liking. I do not wish to be a stumbling block in his way to obtain some of those active Fathers, only too willing to become missionaries in the great Northwest especially in Portland. I am too slow for here while there are active willing men in Cala who would if the....opportunity [to] do good and great work in the vineyard of the Lord up this way. Therefore, I hope that you will see the necessity of retiring me to the old Mother house, where I can spend the remainder of my days in contemplating the things of and pertaining to eternity.

Trusting Very Rev. Father Provincial that you will see the way clear and consider me in your paternal wisdom and care for all and consign me to the real home of the worn outs.

I remain humbly yours in our Holy Father, St. Dominic,
Fr. Albert Sadoc Lawler.

Letter of Fr. Albert's Response to the Provincial

Holy Rosary Church and Priory
375 Clackamas Street
Portland, Oregon

July 26th, 1918

Very Rev. Father A. L. McMahon, O.P., Provincial Holy Name Prov.
Very Rev. Dear Fr. Provincial,

Many thanks for the kind letter and intentions to liquidate the Stamps on Notes. Enclosed, please find two checks to meet interest on the money borrowed from both banks, and I hope that we shall be able to meet the call for interest each month.

I had stated already to answer the former letter you so kindly wrote in which you stated that at present you could not change me to Benicia, but that later you would consider the matter. The work here required active men and although I am willing enough to do my "bit" as the expression of the times has it, nevertheless, know that I am more in the way of the young energetic Prior who needs the service of capable men to execute his will and hence I prefer to get down and out and make room for those who could do better and more active work; three out of the five men in this house of activity is too many to be slackers where so much is expected to be accomplished, and I being the oldest and besides hampered with stiffness and rheumatism in the long rainy season prefer to be where I should not be considered a drawback or drag, hampering the energies of young men.

However, I am a soldier in the army of the Lord and whatever the commander order, I will try to do as well as my condition will permit according to the vows I have taken. I never mean to be a shirker or to desert any post I am placed in while the good Lord will give me strength to attend it, even ever so poorly. If I was in the U.S. Army I dare not say I will not do so and so, and surely a private in the grand Army of God will not presume to disobey orders given....

I pray God that...the light of our holy faith may illumine the world. In my last letter I stated as plainly as my mind permitted how the few fathers here are working so that you might see if any could be spared to be absent, and I presume that you have considered the situation and sized it up. We will do the best we can and the Lord will provide for the rest. Again thanking you and apologizing for the annoyance I may cause you.

I remain in St. Dominic, your unworthy son,
Fr. Albert S. Lawler, OP

This tombstone is found in the upper circle as you walk down the path to the lower circle, right side, back row, as you leave the upper circle.

XII:43