A native Missourian, Bishop Marion Francis Forst was born in St. Louis on September 3, 1910 to Frank A. and Bertha (Gulath) Forst. He was the oldest of eight children that included Father Charles Forst and Fr. William Forst. His schooling was in St. Louis and Marion entered Kenrick Seminary in 1923. Father Forst was ordained on June 10, 1934 by Cardinal John Joseph Glennon at the Cathedral. He offered his first Mass at St. Luke's in Richmond Heights. Father transferred to the Archdiocese of Denver, where he served until 1936. He returned to St. Louis to serve as assistant and Mary Queen of Peace. After World War II, Father enlisted in the Navy as a chaplain. Father returned to St. Louis in 1943 as assistant at the Cathedral. While there, he was the Moderator of the Mothers Club and was an instant success.
Father Forst was responsible for the friendship of nine women and their families that remained strong through the rest of their lives. They formed "The Canasta Club" and were a solid group for the rest of their lives. They are a memory now of those that loved and knew them. Father Forst was their inspiration.
Monsignor Forst was, by now, Vicar General of the Springfield Diocese, in 1956 and appointed the Second Bishop of Dodge City, Kansas on January 6, 1960 by Archbishop Edward J. Hunkeler of Kansas City, Kansas. Governor John Docking and Mayor N O Reese as well as Archbishop Hunkeler saluted his appointment. The Catholic Church of Dodge City and city civic leaders turned out to welcome their new Bishop to the Cowboy Capital. While there, Bishop Forst attended all four sessions of Vatican II in Rome and retired in 1976 due to health concerns.
In 2002, Bishop Forst authored the book, Daily Journal of Vatican II. The result is a brief and very pleasant book, sometimes funny, often inspiring account of the daily happenings of the Council. The Bishops final recording, states, "and thus into history—for me the most eventful involvement of my life—goes Vatican II."
Bishop Marion Francis Forst left us on June 2, 2007 as the oldest living Catholic Bishop in the United States. Whether an Altar Boy, Priest, Dear Friend or American Catholic Prelate, Father Forst will be remembered as a True Man of God.
Provided by Tim Howard
Father Forst was responsible for the friendship of nine women and their families that remained strong through the rest of their lives. They formed "The Canasta Club" and were a solid group for the rest of their lives. They are a memory now of those that loved and knew them. Father Forst was their inspiration.
Monsignor Forst was, by now, Vicar General of the Springfield Diocese, in 1956 and appointed the Second Bishop of Dodge City, Kansas on January 6, 1960 by Archbishop Edward J. Hunkeler of Kansas City, Kansas. Governor John Docking and Mayor N O Reese as well as Archbishop Hunkeler saluted his appointment. The Catholic Church of Dodge City and city civic leaders turned out to welcome their new Bishop to the Cowboy Capital. While there, Bishop Forst attended all four sessions of Vatican II in Rome and retired in 1976 due to health concerns.
In 2002, Bishop Forst authored the book, Daily Journal of Vatican II. The result is a brief and very pleasant book, sometimes funny, often inspiring account of the daily happenings of the Council. The Bishops final recording, states, "and thus into history—for me the most eventful involvement of my life—goes Vatican II."
Bishop Marion Francis Forst left us on June 2, 2007 as the oldest living Catholic Bishop in the United States. Whether an Altar Boy, Priest, Dear Friend or American Catholic Prelate, Father Forst will be remembered as a True Man of God.
Provided by Tim Howard
A native Missourian, Bishop Marion Francis Forst was born in St. Louis on September 3, 1910 to Frank A. and Bertha (Gulath) Forst. He was the oldest of eight children that included Father Charles Forst and Fr. William Forst. His schooling was in St. Louis and Marion entered Kenrick Seminary in 1923. Father Forst was ordained on June 10, 1934 by Cardinal John Joseph Glennon at the Cathedral. He offered his first Mass at St. Luke's in Richmond Heights. Father transferred to the Archdiocese of Denver, where he served until 1936. He returned to St. Louis to serve as assistant and Mary Queen of Peace. After World War II, Father enlisted in the Navy as a chaplain. Father returned to St. Louis in 1943 as assistant at the Cathedral. While there, he was the Moderator of the Mothers Club and was an instant success.
Father Forst was responsible for the friendship of nine women and their families that remained strong through the rest of their lives. They formed "The Canasta Club" and were a solid group for the rest of their lives. They are a memory now of those that loved and knew them. Father Forst was their inspiration.
Monsignor Forst was, by now, Vicar General of the Springfield Diocese, in 1956 and appointed the Second Bishop of Dodge City, Kansas on January 6, 1960 by Archbishop Edward J. Hunkeler of Kansas City, Kansas. Governor John Docking and Mayor N O Reese as well as Archbishop Hunkeler saluted his appointment. The Catholic Church of Dodge City and city civic leaders turned out to welcome their new Bishop to the Cowboy Capital. While there, Bishop Forst attended all four sessions of Vatican II in Rome and retired in 1976 due to health concerns.
In 2002, Bishop Forst authored the book, Daily Journal of Vatican II. The result is a brief and very pleasant book, sometimes funny, often inspiring account of the daily happenings of the Council. The Bishops final recording, states, "and thus into history—for me the most eventful involvement of my life—goes Vatican II."
Bishop Marion Francis Forst left us on June 2, 2007 as the oldest living Catholic Bishop in the United States. Whether an Altar Boy, Priest, Dear Friend or American Catholic Prelate, Father Forst will be remembered as a True Man of God.
Provided by Tim Howard
Father Forst was responsible for the friendship of nine women and their families that remained strong through the rest of their lives. They formed "The Canasta Club" and were a solid group for the rest of their lives. They are a memory now of those that loved and knew them. Father Forst was their inspiration.
Monsignor Forst was, by now, Vicar General of the Springfield Diocese, in 1956 and appointed the Second Bishop of Dodge City, Kansas on January 6, 1960 by Archbishop Edward J. Hunkeler of Kansas City, Kansas. Governor John Docking and Mayor N O Reese as well as Archbishop Hunkeler saluted his appointment. The Catholic Church of Dodge City and city civic leaders turned out to welcome their new Bishop to the Cowboy Capital. While there, Bishop Forst attended all four sessions of Vatican II in Rome and retired in 1976 due to health concerns.
In 2002, Bishop Forst authored the book, Daily Journal of Vatican II. The result is a brief and very pleasant book, sometimes funny, often inspiring account of the daily happenings of the Council. The Bishops final recording, states, "and thus into history—for me the most eventful involvement of my life—goes Vatican II."
Bishop Marion Francis Forst left us on June 2, 2007 as the oldest living Catholic Bishop in the United States. Whether an Altar Boy, Priest, Dear Friend or American Catholic Prelate, Father Forst will be remembered as a True Man of God.
Provided by Tim Howard
