In Memoriam

Cornish, Daryl G. SJ

posted by: webkmccarthy on Wednesday, March 12, 2008

(Missouri) Fr. Daryl G. Cornish died peacefully on Sunday morning, February 24, 2008, at the Fusz Pavilion in Jesuit Hall in St. Louis, Missouri. He was 57 years old, a Jesuit for 35 years, a priest for 25 years.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 8, 1950, Daryl entered the Society of Jesus at Kostka House in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 17, 1972. During his regency he taught English and art at St. Louis U. High. Following theology studies at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, he was ordained in St. Louis on June 11, 1982. He pronounced final vows on April 22, 1989, at Sacred Heart Retreat House in Sedalia, Colorado.

Daryl grew up in an artistic family and developed his skills in sketching and painting. Early in his life as a Jesuit he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, but he continued his pursuit of the priesthood. After his ordination he was assigned to Sacred Heart Retreat House in Sedalia, Colorado, where he gave retreats and did spiritual direction. When he lost the control of his hands, he continued to do spiritual direction and he learned to use a mouth stick to paint and draw. When the MS became physically debilitating, he moved to the Fusz Pavilion where he has resided for the last 16 years. His courage in living with the disease has become legendary; and with the support of friends, family and the nursing staff he kept his creative vision alive. His sufferings have been great, but his spirit has soared above them and he has been an inspiration to many. May he rest in peace.