Our Vincentian Heroes
John Francis King, CM
Today’s attitude toward the Catholic Church in the South, especially around Lanett and West Point, Georgia, where the Holy Family congregation maintains a place of worship and a parish house, has changed. This new attitude, which is characterized by a spirit of understanding and tolerance, is much more Christian, patient, kind and sympathetic.
Many believe one man was largely responsible for this change. That man was Father John King, CM, who was resident pastor of the Holy 
Family Catholic Church. Many would say the change of attitude came about not because of Father King’s explanations of the doctrines of his faith, but through his living out of the Christian life.
This good and kindly Christian man so lived among his neighbors that all who knew him respect him for his honor, integrity, noble character, gentleness, and abundant love. Those who had heard him preach, either from the pulpit or over the radio, recognized him as a man of learning and intelligence.
Those who had rubbed elbows with him knew Father King was a avery human person - one who loved life and who had a keen sense of humor. Surely, no one can believe that such a man would have dedicated his life to God as a priest, if the Catholic Church were not a true Christian Church.
It was on January 27, 1909 that John King was born to John and Minnie King. He was baptized the following February in St. Lawrence Church, Catasauqua, PA.
John attended public elementary school in Pen Argyl, PA and completed his high school work at St. Joseph’s Preparatory Seminary, Princeton, NJ. He was awarded a A.B. degree from St. Joseph’s College, Princeton, NJ in 1937.
John entered the Vincentians at St. Vincent’s Seminary, Philadelphia, PA on June 17 of that same year.
Upon completion of his major seminary work in St. Vincent’s Seminary, he was ordained by Archbishop Dennis Cardinal Dougherty in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, PA on June 30, 1942.
Many of Father King’s years as a Vincentian priest was taken up with preaching missions.
Finally, in 1995 at age 86, he returned to St. Vincent’s Seminary and was assigned to general ministry. As he became weaker, he was eased over to St. Catherine’s Infirmary.
The end came graciously at age 97 on May 23, 2006. His funeral Mass was celebrated in the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia, PA on May 27, 2006. On this same day John Francis King, CM was buried in the Vincentian community cemetery at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Princeton, NJ.
