Brother James Henry Lucas

Brother James Henry Lucas, O.M.I., age 89...Seventy years of religious life.

James Henry Lucas was the sixth of seven children of Edward Francis & Catherine Elizabeth (McLaughlin) Lucas. He was born & raised in Charlestown, and he was a proud "Townie." He was educated at St. Catherine School, and in Boston Public Schools.

He is survived by his younger sister, Catherine "Sue" Lowney, of Medford, MA; his niece, Debbie Perelli and her husband, Edward, of Woburn, MA; his nephew, Dennis Lowney, his wife, Daryl Ann DiDiego, of Charlestown, MA and their children, Meghan and Ryan. He was most happy to spend time with them during their many visits and vacation at Newfound Lake in New Hampshire. He was also the brother of late Edward Lucas, John Lucas, Helen Welch, Dorothy Judd, and Joseph Lucas and the devoted uncle of the late Donna Lucas.

James Henry Lucas was a happy and healthy young man from Charlestown, MA, when he entered the Oblate Novitiate in Ipswich, MA on September 7, 1951. He was nineteen years old. He would spend the next 70 years serving God and His people as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate.

Bro. Lucas was twenty years old when he professed his first vows at the Oblate novitiate on September 8, 1952. His first obedience as an Oblate brother was to the novitiate which had relocated to Tewksbury, MA, a community that has been his home for the last two decades of his life.
Most of his years of ministry were spent in the New England and Buffalo, NY, with the exceptions being four years at the Oblate College in D.C. and one year each in Grand Rapids, MI and Miramar, FL. He was assigned three times to the Provincial House in Boston and ran the cafeteria at Bishop Fallon High School in Buffalo, NY, from 1967-1969. He ministered also at Holy Angels Parish, Buffalo, and Immaculate Conception, Lowell.

His longest ministry, in the number of years, was Communication for the Oblate province. He began working at the Oblate World magazine in 1953 and was still involved until his retirement 60 plus years later. As part of his outreach to Oblate friends and associates, he was the contact person for the devotion to Our Lady of Hope (Pontmain, France). Our Lady of Hope was the patroness of the former Eastern Province. A large statue of Our Lady of Hope still greets all who enter the Tewksbury Residence property.

A very special, beloved ministry, close to Bro. Lucas' heart, was bringing Holy Communion to the sick. thorough sacristan in Tewksbury, MA. His love and care for the suffering and afflicted continued the charism of St. Eugene, Founder of the Oblates. He was a meticulous sacristan in Tewksbury, MA until he retired from this ministry due to declining health.

Brother Jim was very proud that he was presented the Cheverus Medal by Cardinal Sean O'Malley in both 2012 and 2019, in recognition of his devotion and dedication to the Archdiocese of Boston and the Church.

Ever attentive to details, Brother Jim asked to be waked in his cassock and Oblate cross – blessed by St. Pope Paul VI. For flowers he asked that a basket of pink carnations and white gardenias be placed on his casket, favorites of his Father and Mother.

Brother Lucas' visitation will be held on Monday, January 24th from 9:00-10:30 am at the Chapel at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Residence, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Burial in the Oblate Cemetery, Tewksbury, next to his friend and classmate, Father Francis Gorham, O.M.I.. To attend the Mass remotely, please visit https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/9449118824. Donations in memory of Brother Lucas may be made to the Oblate Infirmary Fund, 486 Chandler St, Tewksbury, MA 01876.