President Emeritus
Paulist Fr. John Duffy
Fr. John Duffy, C.S.P.

Paulist Fr. John Duffy served as president of the Paulist Fathers from 2002 to 2010. 

Fr. Duffy met the Paulist Fathers as a boy in his native Boston.

A graduate of Harvard University, he was ordained a priest on May 17, 1975.

Fr. Duffy has served in New York City, Houston, Austin, Washington, D.C., Rome and Toronto.  His priesthood has included work in Hispanic ministry and as part of bilingual mission teams.

In addition to his tenure as president, Fr. Duffy also has served as our community's vocation director and director of formation.

On Sunday, May 25, 2025, the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City celebrated the 50th anniversary of Fr. Duffy's ordination as a priest. To mark the occasion, Fr. Duffy shared this bilingual homily.

  • Discernment advice
    Discernment advice
    Discernment advice
  • Misa del 50.º aniversario del padre John Duffy - 25 de Mayo de 2025 a la...
    Misa del 50.º aniversario del padre John Duffy - 25 de Mayo de 2025 a la...
    Misa del 50.º aniversario del padre John Duffy - 25 de Mayo de 2025 a la...
  • Paulist Fr. John Duffy celebrated the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination on May 17, 2025.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy celebrated the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination on May 17, 2025.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy celebrated the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination on May 17, 2025.
  • Funeral Mass for Fr. Jim McQuade, CSP
    Funeral Mass for Fr. Jim McQuade, CSP
    Funeral Mass for Fr. Jim McQuade, CSP
  • La Resurrección del Señor- 12:30 PM
    La Resurrección del Señor- 12:30 PM
    La Resurrección del Señor- 12:30 PM
  • Paulist Fr. John Duffy sprinkles the graves of 70 Paulists with holy water as Paulists, friends, and family members look on October 4. This picture appeared in the Fall 2009 issue of Paulist Today.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy sprinkles the graves of 70 Paulists with holy water as Paulists, friends, and family members look on October 4. This picture appeared in the Fall 2009 issue of Paulist Today.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy sprinkles the graves of 70 Paulists with holy water as Paulists, friends, and family members look on October 4. This picture appeared in the Fall 2009 issue of Paulist Today.
  • Paulist Fr. John Duffy and Bishop John Manz lift up the bread and wine during the Anniversary Mass at Old St. Mary in Chicago. This picture appeared in the January 25, 2004 issue of Paulist Today.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy and Bishop John Manz lift up the bread and wine during the Anniversary Mass at Old St. Mary in Chicago. This picture appeared in the January 25, 2004 issue of Paulist Today.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy and Bishop John Manz lift up the bread and wine during the Anniversary Mass at Old St. Mary in Chicago. This picture appeared in the January 25, 2004 issue of Paulist Today.
  • Paulist Fr. John Duffy preaching to the assembly at the Anniversary Mass at Old St. Mary in Chicago. This picture appeared in the January 25, 2004 issue of Paulist Today.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy preaching to the assembly at the Anniversary Mass at Old St. Mary in Chicago. This picture appeared in the January 25, 2004 issue of Paulist Today.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy preaching to the assembly at the Anniversary Mass at Old St. Mary in Chicago. This picture appeared in the January 25, 2004 issue of Paulist Today.
  • Paulist Fr. John Duffy speaking to a lay delegate during the pre- Assembly.This picture appeared in the June 30, 2002 issue of Paulist Today.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy speaking to a lay delegate during the pre- Assembly.This picture appeared in the June 30, 2002 issue of Paulist Today.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy speaking to a lay delegate during the pre- Assembly.This picture appeared in the June 30, 2002 issue of Paulist Today.
  • Paulist Fr. John Duffy. This picture appeared in the January 25, 2002 issue of Paulist Today.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy. This picture appeared in the January 25, 2002 issue of Paulist Today.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy. This picture appeared in the January 25, 2002 issue of Paulist Today.
  • Paulist Fr. John Duffy
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy
  • Paulist Fr. John Duffy
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy
  • Paulists at the Lake George retreat. This picture appeared in the September 30, 1997 issue of Paulist Today.
    Paulists at the Lake George retreat. This picture appeared in the September 30, 1997 issue of Paulist Today.
    Paulists at the Lake George retreat. This picture appeared in the September 30, 1997 issue of Paulist Today.
  • Paulist Fr. John Duffy with Father Michael B. McGarry.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy with Father Michael B. McGarry.
    Paulist Fr. John Duffy with Father Michael B. McGarry.