The Dominicans Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Fr. Lawrence Edward Sanguinetti, OP

When the Church of St. Dominic in San Francisco was devastated by the famous earthquake in April, 1906, little did Julius and Rose Sanguinetti, who lived only a few blocks away, ever suspect that their unborn son would some day become pastor of the magnificent edifice that was to rise from the ruins.  Edward Sanguinetti was born just three months later, on July 8, and was baptized in the Church of Saints Peter and Paul.  As a young boy he came to love the city of his birth, and everything about St. Dominic's became a special part of his life.  After early schooling at St. Rose Grammar School, local public schools, and St. Ignatius High School he entered the Dominican Apostolic School in Ross, where he completed high school and two years of college studies.  In 1927 he entered the Dominican Order, and a year later in 1928, after completing the novitiate, he made his first vows at St. Dominic's Priory in Benicia.  He completed his studies for the priesthood at the newly established St. Albert's in Oakland, and was ordained a priest on June 10, 1933 at St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco.

He began a period of more than fifty years as a totally dedicated, whole-heartedly committed Dominican priest.  Because of his native intelligence and great competence Father Sanguinetti could have specialized in any number of priestly ministries: outstanding preacher, excellent teacher, skilled administrator.  He chose to be what he valued the most: a faithful priest.  For more than fifty years he served God and the people of God as parish priest, drawing fully on the many talents with which he was endowed.  His first assignment was to St. Mary Magdalene in Berkeley, as assistant pastor.  He went on to serve at Blessed Sacrament in Seattle, St. Dominic's in San Francisco, Holy Rosary in Antioch, California, St. Vincent Ferrer in Vallejo, California, and St. Dominic's in Los Angeles.  These were times of great growth in the West and Fr. Ed was frequently called on to put his administrative skills to work in overseeing the pastoral and financial affairs of the Western Dominicans.  During his term as pastor and prior at St. Dominic's in San Francisco the beautiful stained glass windows were completed.

In 1970, in recognition of his many years as an effective preacher, the Master General of the Dominican order conferred on Fr. Sanguinetti the title "Preacher General."  After many years at Holy Rosary in Antioch he asked that he be allowed to spend his final years at his beloved St. Dominic's in San Francisco.  He was peacefully called to the Lord on the afternoon of October 15, 1985 in the company of his family.

--Fr. Thomas Hayes, OP

Date of Birth

Date of Profession

Date of Ordination

Date of Death

July 8, 1906

September 9, 1928

June 10, 1933

October 15, 1985

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