Fr. Paul Gallagher, OFM, 76, passes away

Fr. Paul Gallagher, OFM, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died on June 23, 2026, after a battle with prostate cancer. From the deep South to the Midwest, Fr. Paul helped people, especially young adults, discover God’s love and the abiding joy of Franciscan spirituality.  

Fr. Paul was born in Cleveland on May 22, 1950, to Vincent and Jane (née Whitmore) Gallagher. He entered the Franciscan novitiate on August 29, 1971, in Oak Brook, Illinois, at the age of 21. He made simple vows on Aug. 13, 1972; professed solemn vows on Sept. 20, 1975; and was ordained to the priesthood on Jan. 23, 1982.  

A Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Paul will be celebrated at the San Juan Diego Friary chapel, 1350 Lakeview Road SW, Albuquerque, on July 1 at 10:30 a.m., with burial to follow at nearby Calvary Cemetery. 

He served at three parishes shortly after ordination: St. Paschal in West Monroe, Louisiana (1979 to 1983), St. Leonard in San Antonio, Texas (1983 to 1984) and St. Agnes in Ashland, Wisconsin (1984 to 1988).  

He then served as campus minister at Louisiana Tech (1988 to 1993) while also briefly serving at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Farmerville, Louisiana (1988 to 1989). 

He briefly served as administrator of St. Francis Church in Calhoun, Illinois (1993) before becoming campus minister at the University of Houston (1993 to 2001). During this time, he began writing Sunday Gospel reflections to help people see their own life experiences as windows to experience the Sunday Gospel. These reflections were distributed by the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity.  

Throughout his years of ministry, he also held leadership positions within the legacy Sacred Heart Province, including guardian and vicar of the San Damiano Friary and co-director of the Franciscan Vocations Office. 

In 2018, he reflected on his vocation to encourage others to pursue God’s call to enter religious life. He wrote:  

“For those of us who have been blessed by God with the gift of a desire for a spiritual life and desire to make a difference, religious life is a place to find support and mentors. You may be odd in the eyes of society and our culture, but that is because you are entrusted with a gift by our God.” 

From 2001 to 2003, he served on the staff of Franciscan Outreach in Chicago, providing safe shelter and resources to the homeless. From 2005 to 2010, he nurtured the faith life of young people with Young Adult Ministry at St. Peter’s Church in the Loop in Chicago. 

He then helped people experience the spirit of St. Francis as Director of Il Ritiro Franciscan Retreat Center in Dittmer, Missouri, a quiet place of solitude and respite (2010 to 2016). 

He also embodied the spirit of St. Francis through his many charitable activities.  From 2018-2024, he served at Franciscan Connection in St. Louis, providing financial help and meaningful support to the disadvantaged. 

Fr. Paul had a gentle and humble manner that helped the people he encountered to feel seen and valued. Some of his favorite pastimes included jogging – he ran five marathons -and making homemade granola. He was passionate about living his life in a way that points others to God. 

He is survived by family members, friends and friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.