PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

REV. P. D. MCGUIGAN, the able and popular priest in charge of St. Bonaven- ture’s church, Tracadie Cross, Lot 36, was born at St. Ann’s Lot 22, Prince Edward Island, on April 12, 1867, and is a son of James and Margaret (McKenna) McGui— gan. He received his early education in the common schools and supplemented this with one term’s attendance at Prince of Wales College, at Charlottetown, following which he was for five years engaged in teaching school. In September, 1889, he entered St. Dunstan’s College, at Charlottetown, where he remained for five years, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in June, 1894. Having decided to enter the min- istry of his church, he went to Montreal and spent three. years in the Grand Seminary. On December 18, 1897, he was ordained, in St. James’ Cathedral, Montreal, to the priesthood by Mgr. Maxime Decelles, Bishop of Druzipara, and then returned to Prince Edward Island. Immediately on his return home he was appointed assistant priest to Rev. J. J. McDonald, of Kinkora, who at that time was in delicate health. Having remained at Kinkora for three months and Father McDonald’s health having improved, Father McGuigan was invited by his Bishop .to go to St. Mary’s church, at Sturgeon, and assume pastoral charge during the six months’ absence of its pastor, Rev. William Phelan, who had gone on a well deserved visit to his native land, Ireland. When Father Phelan returned, the subject of this sketch was appointed assistant priest at St. Dunstan’s Cathedral, Charlottetown, where he labored for about fourteen months. In October, 1899, he went as assistant priest to Rev. L. J. McDonald, of St. Patrick’s, Lot 14. who was in delicate health. Here he remained until April, 1900, when he went to Summerside and acted in the capacity of

419

parish priest for the parishes of Summerside and Miscouche during the absence of their respective pastors, Revs. D. J. G. and J. A. McDonald. From Summerside he went to St. Andrew’s as assistant to Mgr. James McDonald, V. G., who, owing to advanced age and many years well spent in the ser- vice of God and the Holy Church, was un- able to look after the spiritual and temporal wants of his- people. In October, 1900, sev- eral new appointments were made in the diocese and as a mark of appreciation for the valuable assistance rendered and a fit- ting acknowledgment of Father McGuigan’s prudence and ability, he was appointed par- ish priest of St. Bonaventure’s church, at Tracadie, where he has since remained. The appointment went into effect on Sunday, October 7, 1900. He also assumed charge of two outlying missions, St. Michael’s, Corran- Ban, and St. Eugene’s, Covehead.

On assuming pastoral charge, Father McGuigan at once took an active part in advancing the spiritual interests of the peo- ple; subsequently his thoughts and energies were directed in raising church funds and in the completion of St. Bonaventure’s church. Here he met with great success. St. Bonaventure’s church is considered one of the best designed and best finished country churches on the Island. It is finished en- tirely with native hardwood. Few churches in the province are as well equipped with valuable vestments and statues. His mis- sions have not been neglected, either as regards the spiritual wants of the people or in the renovation and remodelling of the churches. The three churches under his charge are an honor to religion and a fit- , ting tribute to the energy of the pastor and the good will of the parishioners, for it is pleasing to know that the churches are free from debt.