Conventual Franciscan Father Juniper Cummings died on May 26 in Shakopee, Minn. He was 92 and had been a Franciscan since 1944.
Father Cummings, a native of Louisville who attended minor seminary Mount St. Francis in Southern Indiana, served in a variety of roles throughout his life — including as a pastor, in leadership for his religious order, a professor of theology in the U.S. and Rome, a director of formation and in development. He also lectured and led retreats in England, Africa and Australia.
In the Archdiocese of Louisville, he served as pastor of the old St. Anthony Church on West Market Street, which was his childhood parish. He also taught at Bellarmine University, Ursuline College and Spalding University.
His ministry took a new direction in 1989 when at age 65 he was asked to lead a Franciscan mission in Zambia as custos for the Custody of Solwezi. He served in Zambia for 21 years.
In an interview with The Record in 2010, Father Cummings said he lived by a directive attributed to St. Teresa of Kolkata, “ ‘The Lord doesn’t ask us to succeed; he asks us to try.’
“That’s a great consolation and encouragement,” he said.
He is survived by a niece, nephew and cousin.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated on June 2 at Mount St. Francis.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Conventual Franciscan Friars, Province of Our Lady of Consolation, Development Office, 103 St. Anthony Drive, Mount St. Francis, Indiana, 47146.
