Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

FATHER KURT JOHN PRITZL, OP

DOMINICAN PRIEST AND EDUCATOR

Dominican Father Kurt John Pritzl, OP died on the evening of February 21, 2011 at St. Dominic Priory in Washington, DC after a long illness.

Born in Milwaukee, WI, on February 15, 1952, he was the son of Raymond and June (née McGrath) Pritzl. He is preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Craig. He is survived by his two sisters, Lindy Migliaccio and Cathy Pritzl, and his two brothers, Todd and Timothy Pritzl, as well as his nieces Anne Migliaccio, Cassandra and Kristina Worzalla, and Melissa Pritzl.

Prior to entering the Dominican Order, Father Pritzl earned an MA (1975) and a PhD in Philosophy (1982) from the University of Toronto. In 1980 he received a teaching position at the School of Philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Feeling a call to the priesthood and religious life, he was granted a leave of absence from the University in 1986 in order to enter the Dominican Novitiate at St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati, OH. He made his first profession of vows there on August 15, 1987, and was sent to the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC for his theological studies. On May 31, 1991 he was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood at Saint Pius V Church in Providence, RI by the Most Reverend Kenneth A. Angell, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Providence.

After his ordination Father Pritzl resumed his teaching position at the School of Philosophy at Catholic University of America, and was later promoted to the rank of Associate Professor. In May, 2000 he was appointed Dean of the School of Philosophy and served in that capacity until his death. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles on Aristotle; he also wrote about Heraclitus and Plato, as well as the role of philosophy in priestly and academic formation.

In addition to his work as teacher and administrator at The Catholic University of America, Father Pritzl also served the Dominican Province of St. Joseph in a variety of positions, including Regent of Studies (1993-1997), and member of the Provincial Intellectual Life Commission (1993-2002; 2004-2006). From 1994 until 2002, and again from 2005 until his death, Father Pritzl was a member of the Corporation and Board of Trustees at Providence College in Providence, RI.

Father Pritzl’s body will be received in the Priory chapel of the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, DC at 2:00 PM on Thursday, February 24, 2011. Public viewing hours will begin at 2:15 PM and last until 5:30 PM when Vespers from the Office of the Dead will be celebrated. The public is welcome again from 6:00 PM until 9:30 PM when the community will celebrate Compline to end the day. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 25, 2011 with His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl presiding. Burial will follow in the Dominican plot at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Dominican House of Studies in support of its mission to educate and form future Dominican priests.

Kurt Pritzl, O.P.

Kurt Pritzl, O.P.

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