School History
Bishop Francis Allen was born in Toronto on June 25, 1909. He was born into a religious family that was very involved in the church. Bishop Allen's only brother served the church as a priest and his four sisters as nuns. It seemed Bishop Francis Allen was destined to become an active member of the Christian community.
During his life, he was dedicated to God by serving the Catholic Church in many different ways. These included secretary of St. Augustine's Seminary, chancellor, vicar general, auxiliary Bishop and valued associate to Archbishops McNeil and Pocock. He spent forty four years of his life in the priesthood-with twenty three of those years as Bishop. He proudly served as a pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows Church for twenty years. Bishop Francis Allen was devoted to strengthening parishioners in their faith. His heart was filled with loyalty, love and respect.
Not only was Bishop Allen devoted to his career, he also had great concern for those who were sick or suffering. He always found the time to visit people in the hospital. He visited with smile on his face and gave comfort and prayers to those in need. Bishop Francis Allen was not a boastful person, he quietly went about his work and service. When he became Bishop, his great devotion to Mother Mary was shown as he chose his motto to be "Ad Jesum Per Mariam" -" To Jesus through Mary".
Unfortunately, Bishop Allen died suddenly on October 7th, 1977 in Toronto. Ironically, this was also the day he had chosen to be ordained as a bishop twenty-three years earlier.
Coat of Arms of Most. Rev. Francis Allen
There are three parts to the shield. The top half shows an arm holding a cross and represents St. Francis of Assisi whose name Bishop Allen bears. The bottom left shows a pierced heart representing Our Lady of Sorrows, the name of the parish of which he was pastor. The bottom right shows a cross taken from the Allen coat of arms.
