Background
Francis Gilfillan was born in Aughavas, County Leitrim, and received his classical education at Saint Mary"s Seminary in Moyne, County Longford, from 1886 to 1889.
Francis Gilfillan was born in Aughavas, County Leitrim, and received his classical education at Saint Mary"s Seminary in Moyne, County Longford, from 1886 to 1889.
From 1889 to 1894, he studied philosophy and theology at Saint Patrick"s College in Carlow.
He served as Bishop of Saint Joseph from 1923 until his death in 1933. He was then sent to continue his studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, District of Columbia Gilfillan was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop John Jay Kain on June 24, 1895. He served as a curate at the Cathedral of Saint Louis from 1896 until 1907, when he became pastor of the cathedral.
On July 8, 1922, Gilfillan was appointed coadjutor bishop of Diocese of Saint Joseph and titular bishop of Pegae by Pope Pius XI. He received his episcopal consecration on the following November 8 from Archbishop John Jay Glennon, with Bishops Christopher East. Byrne and Thomas F. Lillis serving as co-consecrators.
Upon the death of Bishop Maurice F. Burke, Gilfillan succeeded him as the third Bishop of Saint Joseph on March 17, 1923. He remained in this office until his death nearly ten years later, at age 60.
He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Kenrick Seminary and of the Theological Conferences" Committee of the Board of Synodal Examiners.