 Fr. Hyacinth Alfred Meagles, OP
Fr. Hyacinth grew-up in San Francisco, and first met the Dominicans through St. Dominic's
Church in the city. He enjoyed serving as an altar boy in the church, and by the age
of eighteen found his way to the formation program for the Western Dominican Province.
He was eventually ordained a priest by Archbishop Riordan of San Francisco.
His ministry brought him to places such as:
St. Dominic Church, Benicia, California
St. Raphael Church, San Rafael, California
Blessed Sacrament Church, Seattle, Washington
St. Vincent Ferrer Church, Vallejo, California
St. Rose Church, Crockett, California
He was one of the first to live in the priory of Blessed Sacrament in
Seattle. Fr. Hyacinth will be remembered as a faithful pastor of souls. The
many pictures that we have of him show him as a stone-mason in Benicia. Being the
seventh son of a seventh son his nickname was "Doc." This name was
familiar at the turn of the century as evidenced by "Doc" White, a famous
baseball player, who was also the seventh son of a seventh son.
Unfortunately, he died at the young age of 39 while serving as the Pastor
in Crockett, California. A strange turn of health took him from a healthy, vibrant
preacher on one Sunday, through a very serious paralytic and fatal stroke. Within
two and a half days, the stroke took its toll on his young life.
The stroke occurred one morning when another Dominican friar and a
physician friend stopped by the parish rectory to visit. Upon their leaving, Fr.
Hyacinth's pet dog caused a commotion near the front of the house. Miss Meagles, a
nurse, employee, and sister of Fr. Hyacinth, heard the dog's whining and rushed to see
what was happening. The dog led her to Fr. Hyacinth, where he was slouched over a
chair. He was paralyzed from the stroke, and she quickly rushed out to gain the
assistance of the friar and physician. Fr. Hyacinth was in a serious condition, and
he never regained his strength. He died after two and half days. The schools
closed so that teachers and students were able to attend his funeral Mass. Flags
flew at half mast. He was beloved by many who knew him to be a man of great
character and integrity. He was known as a great pastor, because he gave of himself
overwhelmingly to the people. May his soul rest in peace.
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