Br. Paul Juniet, 85, passes away in Albuquerque

Br. Paul Juniet, OFM, 85, passed away on Nov. 4 at BeeHive Homes in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he had been in hospice care.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Br. Paul made simple vows on Aug. 16, 1958, professed solemn vows on Aug. 16, 1961, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 9, 1966.

Following ordination, Br. Paul spent one year as an instructor at Roger Bacon High School in Cincinnati. Br. Paul was then assigned as associate pastor at St. Isabel Parish in Lukachukai, Arizona, among the Navajo People. After just two years, he was assigned to Christ the King Parish in Shiprock, New Mexico. After three years there, Br. Paul began a varied career as pastor of many of the Franciscan missions in New Mexico and Arizona. In some cases, he was assigned as pastor to the same parish a second or third time.

Br. Paul served in the following parishes in the Diocese of Gallup: Lukachukai, Shiprock, Tohatchi, Fort Defiance, St. Michaels, Klagetoh, Pinon, Houck, Farmington and Laguna/Acoma. In the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, he served as pastor of Queen of Angels Indian Chapel and the Jemez Pueblo missions of Jemez Zia and Santa Ana. In the Diocese of Las Cruces, Br. Paul served St. Peter’s and St. John’s Parishes as associate pastor and as chaplain to the Poor Clare MonasteryWhen the Cursillo Movement became popular in the Southwest, Br. Paul became a regular figure, assisting as spiritual director for Cursillos in many of the dioceses in New Mexico and Arizona. He touched the lives of many men and women through his spiritual direction.

Br. Paul is survived by family members, friends and friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, including his classmates Brothers Larry Bernard, OFM, John Paul Flajole, OFM, and Tom Richstatter, OFM. Visitation for Br. Paul will be held Saturday, Nov. 16 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Family Parish, 562 Atrisco Dr. SW, Albuquerque, followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow immediately after the Mass at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Albuquerque, in the friars’ plot.