 Fr. Clyde Aloysius
Chamberlain, OP
Clyde Aloysius Chamberlain was born to Dennis and Mary Ann Chamberlain on 25 August 1884,
in Jacksonville, Illinois. He entered the Order of Preachers on 1 November 1904 in
Benicia, California. From 1896-1911, he studied at the Dominican House of Studies in
Washington, DC. It was there in 1910 that he was ordained a priest.
In response to
the disappointment of the Master of the Order regarding the lack of ability in public
speaking and reading on the part of the novices and students, Provincial James B Connolly
appointed Fr. Clyde to teach them English and Elocution. At the same time, the prior
of the House of Studies believed him to be the perfect friar to teach history. Fr.
Clyde, on the other hand, saw himself as incompetent for the duty of teaching English and
Elocution, especially while also teaching history courses; nevertheless, the Provincial
assured the humble priest that his ability to teach English and Elocution, which the
provincial believed was one of the most important duties in the province, was deeply
needed. The provincial assured him further that the provincial would himself resolve
the situation.
 Among
his many other appointments, Fr Clyde became
1st Lieutenant and chaplain in the United States Army
in
1915. He started off in Vancouver, Washington and went to Beauregard,
Louisiana as the Chaplain to the hospital. He eventually transferred to a division
which went to France where he saw World War I. He returned January 31st, 1918 after
three years as Chaplain. He was also a playwright. Some of his plays were
inspired by the real lives of Dominicans and other religious he knew. He died on 30
December 1957 in St. Dominic's, San Francisco. He was found on the floor outside the
elevator after mass and breakfast. The Dominicans prayed the Salve Regina
by the body of Fr. Chamberlain as they waited for the doctor. |
