Alfred Roland was born in Woonsocket, RI and went to the Eymard minor seminary at Suffern (New York). The following year, a bone disease was discovered in his leg and he had to be operated several times. He entered the Assumptionist novitiate of Bergerville Quebec and pronounced his first vows on September 30, 1933. He was ordained to the priesthood on February 21, 1937 by Bishop Rolland Gosselin.
In the fall of 1937, Fr. Alfred began to teach Latin at Assumption Preparatory School until the school was closed in 1970. He was named chaplain of St. Anne's Orphanage (Worcester) in 1940 and went to the orphanage almost on a daily basis. Some recall with emotion his tenderness, his devotion, and his smile. He never showed any impatience even though his painful leg made him suffer greatly.
In 1970 Fr. Alfred retired, yet he continued being present to the orphans as well as the students of the College, especially the handicapped. Fr. Alfred also became interested in mystical authors. For his brother Assumptionists, "Freddy" was the cherished father, the faithful friend, the teasing brother, the experienced counselor, and a companion full of sympathy.
Fr. Alfred was also the driver for the retired priests plus prayer group friends, and was known for his "lead foot." Gretchen writes, "The poor man put up with the wheel of the back of our converted mail truck for rides to Friendly's after prayer meetings regularly. What a saint. He told us of a hilarious trip at break-neck speed on the Mass Pike -- approaching a toll booth, a police officer barked on his megaphone to the toll taker, "Let him through! Can't you see that this priest is in a hurry?"
Fr. Alfred was hospitalized in September 1981. The doctors discovered a malignant tumor. He had a heart attack in the morning of October 21 and died a bit before midnight. The funeral was celebrated in the chapel of Assumption College in Worcester. A wheel-chair student placed a single rose on his coffin.
In the fall of 1937, Fr. Alfred began to teach Latin at Assumption Preparatory School until the school was closed in 1970. He was named chaplain of St. Anne's Orphanage (Worcester) in 1940 and went to the orphanage almost on a daily basis. Some recall with emotion his tenderness, his devotion, and his smile. He never showed any impatience even though his painful leg made him suffer greatly.
In 1970 Fr. Alfred retired, yet he continued being present to the orphans as well as the students of the College, especially the handicapped. Fr. Alfred also became interested in mystical authors. For his brother Assumptionists, "Freddy" was the cherished father, the faithful friend, the teasing brother, the experienced counselor, and a companion full of sympathy.
Fr. Alfred was also the driver for the retired priests plus prayer group friends, and was known for his "lead foot." Gretchen writes, "The poor man put up with the wheel of the back of our converted mail truck for rides to Friendly's after prayer meetings regularly. What a saint. He told us of a hilarious trip at break-neck speed on the Mass Pike -- approaching a toll booth, a police officer barked on his megaphone to the toll taker, "Let him through! Can't you see that this priest is in a hurry?"
Fr. Alfred was hospitalized in September 1981. The doctors discovered a malignant tumor. He had a heart attack in the morning of October 21 and died a bit before midnight. The funeral was celebrated in the chapel of Assumption College in Worcester. A wheel-chair student placed a single rose on his coffin.
Alfred Roland was born in Woonsocket, RI and went to the Eymard minor seminary at Suffern (New York). The following year, a bone disease was discovered in his leg and he had to be operated several times. He entered the Assumptionist novitiate of Bergerville Quebec and pronounced his first vows on September 30, 1933. He was ordained to the priesthood on February 21, 1937 by Bishop Rolland Gosselin.
In the fall of 1937, Fr. Alfred began to teach Latin at Assumption Preparatory School until the school was closed in 1970. He was named chaplain of St. Anne's Orphanage (Worcester) in 1940 and went to the orphanage almost on a daily basis. Some recall with emotion his tenderness, his devotion, and his smile. He never showed any impatience even though his painful leg made him suffer greatly.
In 1970 Fr. Alfred retired, yet he continued being present to the orphans as well as the students of the College, especially the handicapped. Fr. Alfred also became interested in mystical authors. For his brother Assumptionists, "Freddy" was the cherished father, the faithful friend, the teasing brother, the experienced counselor, and a companion full of sympathy.
Fr. Alfred was also the driver for the retired priests plus prayer group friends, and was known for his "lead foot." Gretchen writes, "The poor man put up with the wheel of the back of our converted mail truck for rides to Friendly's after prayer meetings regularly. What a saint. He told us of a hilarious trip at break-neck speed on the Mass Pike -- approaching a toll booth, a police officer barked on his megaphone to the toll taker, "Let him through! Can't you see that this priest is in a hurry?"
Fr. Alfred was hospitalized in September 1981. The doctors discovered a malignant tumor. He had a heart attack in the morning of October 21 and died a bit before midnight. The funeral was celebrated in the chapel of Assumption College in Worcester. A wheel-chair student placed a single rose on his coffin.
In the fall of 1937, Fr. Alfred began to teach Latin at Assumption Preparatory School until the school was closed in 1970. He was named chaplain of St. Anne's Orphanage (Worcester) in 1940 and went to the orphanage almost on a daily basis. Some recall with emotion his tenderness, his devotion, and his smile. He never showed any impatience even though his painful leg made him suffer greatly.
In 1970 Fr. Alfred retired, yet he continued being present to the orphans as well as the students of the College, especially the handicapped. Fr. Alfred also became interested in mystical authors. For his brother Assumptionists, "Freddy" was the cherished father, the faithful friend, the teasing brother, the experienced counselor, and a companion full of sympathy.
Fr. Alfred was also the driver for the retired priests plus prayer group friends, and was known for his "lead foot." Gretchen writes, "The poor man put up with the wheel of the back of our converted mail truck for rides to Friendly's after prayer meetings regularly. What a saint. He told us of a hilarious trip at break-neck speed on the Mass Pike -- approaching a toll booth, a police officer barked on his megaphone to the toll taker, "Let him through! Can't you see that this priest is in a hurry?"
Fr. Alfred was hospitalized in September 1981. The doctors discovered a malignant tumor. He had a heart attack in the morning of October 21 and died a bit before midnight. The funeral was celebrated in the chapel of Assumption College in Worcester. A wheel-chair student placed a single rose on his coffin.
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