Br. Seán Sammon (1947 – 2022)
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We share the sad news that Brother Seán Sammon passed away in New York, USA on September 9, 2022. He was 74 years old and had been a Marist religious for 55 years. Brother Seán was Superior General from 2001 to 2009, and Vicar General during the previous period.
In the message sent to the Marist world, Brother Ernesto Sánchez, Superior General of the Institute, wrote
Br. Seán left us one day after the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, our Good Mother, who already has him in her hands. Let us also remember Sean’s sister, his brother, and the rest of the Sammon and Marist families who are feeling this loss.
It is time to give thanks for the gift of his person and vocation, as well as for his great dedication and service in the Institute.
We unite in prayer and gratitude and, at the same time, we offer the pain we feel at this loss of our brother. May he now rest in God’s peace.
Brother Seán’s funeral will take place next Friday, September 16 (5:00 PM – New York), in Poughkeepsie, USA, in the chapel of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom at Marist College, where Brother Seán lived during his last years. You can join virtually the celebration by enter that link.
Brother Seán was born on November 26, 1947 in Manhattan (New York, USA). His Irish father and English mother both had migrated to the United States. He studied in St. Agnes High School and afterwards the juniorate in Esopus. He made his noviciate in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts and pronounced his first vows in 1967.
He graduated from Marist College in Poughkeepsie N.Y. in 1970. He taught at St. Agnes Br.S. in N.Y., while pursuing studies at the New School for Social Research where he earned a Master’s degree in 1973. He received a doctorate in clinical psychology from Fordham University in 1982. In 1978 he had been invited to be a member of the staff at the House of Affirmation in Massachusetts and in 1982 was named its International Clinical Director, a position he held until 1987.
He has published ten books and a great number of articles and audio tapes on topics of psychology and religious life. In 1987 he was named provincial of the Poughkeepsie Province. During his term he was elected president of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men Religious of the United States.
In 1993 he was elected Vicar General of the Marist Brothers and on October 3, 2001 Superior General. Having completed his mandate as Superior of the Institute, he returned to the Province of the United States in 2009, devoting himself especially to formation.
