Father Peter John Bart
Bart, Peter John, priest, member of the Congregation 1917-35, was born in Stratford, Ontario (diocese of London), on 4 August 1897, the son of Peter Bart and Caroline La Porte. He died in Toronto on 16 November 1950, and is buried in the Basilian plot of Assumption Cemetery, Windsor.
After early education in Stratford, Peter Bart went in 1914 to Assumption College, Windsor. He entered St Basil’s Novitiate in Toronto and was professed on 10 August 1918. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a B.A. in 1922 and an M.A. in philosophy in 1923. During these years he excelled on the college football team. He did theological studies at St Basil’s Seminary, Toronto, and was ordained priest on 20 December 1924 in the chapel of St Augustine’s Seminary by Bishop John McNally. With teacher certification from the Ontario College of Education, Toronto, 1924-25, Father Bart’s appointments were: teaching at Assumption College, 1925-26, assistant pastor at Assumption Parish, Windsor, and a second stint of teaching at Assumption College. In 1930 he attended the only summer session ever held at the Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto, and joined the staff of St Michael’s College, Toronto, in 1932. He was a philosopher, and read papers at a number of professional conferences. In 1935, following an automobile accident involving the death of a man, Peter Bart obtained leave of absence from the Congregation. After living several months with the Cistercians at the Priory of Notre Dame des Prairies, Saint Norbert, Manitoba, he was incardinated as a priest of the diocese of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, on 6 July 1937. During the Second World War he served as a chaplain in the Canadian Army. Later he was the pastor of several small parishes, the last being St Mark’s at Markstay, Ontario. At his own request he was buried with the Basilian community. |