ROY ANTHONY PERSICH, C.M.

Roy Anthony Persich was born in New Orleans, LA, on February 22, 1934, to the late Gladys Julia (nee Fricken) and Nicholas S. Persich. He attended elementary school at St. Joseph Parish on Tulane Avenue, a Vincentian parish in New Orleans. After he graduated from grade school, he followed his three older brothers to St. Vincent’s College, the Vincentian minor seminary (high school) in Cape Girardeau, MO, graduating in 1947.

He continued to discern his priestly vocation at St. Mary’s of the Barrens in Perryville, MO, where he attended the Novitiate, and where he then earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Master of Divinity in Theology. He professed permanent vows in the Congregation of the Mission on May 27, 1951, was ordained a deacon on October 7, 1959, and a priest on June 5, 1960, all at St. Mary’s of the Barrens.

Fr. Roy spent the majority of his priestly life in seminary and retreat work, serving in teaching and administrative posts both on the high school and college levels. He also spent many years as director of a retreat center.

His specific assignments were as follows:

1960-62 St Vincent’s Seminary, Lemont, IL

1962-63 St. Vincent’s Seminary, Montebello, CA

1963-65 Prep South High School, St. Louis, MO

1965-66 Laval University, Quebec, Canada - Study

1966-67 St. Mary’s of the Barrens, Perryville, MO – Novice director

1967-69 St. Mary’s Seminary Retreat Center, Santa Barbara, CA – Study/Teaching

1969-73 St. Mary’s of the Barrens, Perryville, MO – Academic Dean

1973-90 St. John’s Seminary, Camarillo, CA - Academic Dean, Vice Rector

1990-2001 St. Mary’s Seminary Retreat Center, Santa Barbara - Director

2001-15 St. Mary’s Seminary Retreat Center, Santa Barbara (retired)

2015-25 Amat Mission House – Senior Confrere in Residence

While academically trained in classical and modern languages, for many years his field of interest was the teaching of values. While working in the seminaries, he was also involved in Marriage Encounter, Engaged Encounter, adult education, many types of retreats and ministered at a parish on Sundays. While director of St. Mary's Retreat house he was also director of ongoing formation for the priests of his province and for six of those years he served on the National Board of NOCERCC (National Organization for Continued Education of Roman Catholic Clergy). In connection with NOCERCC, he was a facilitator for more than twenty-five Renewal of Priestly Identity programs. In retirement, he remained involved in giving retreats, parish missions, lay adult education programs and assisting as an Auxiliary Priest at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Camarillo.

Fr. Roy died on May 5, 2025. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Fr. Nicholas E. Persich, C.M., Fr. Harold B. Persich, C.M., Dr. J. Donald Persich, and his sister Anna Rita Persich. He is survived by his sister-in-law Claire Persich, nieces Donna P. Giroir, Margaret P. Fox, and Laura E. Persich, and nephews, Dr. Nicholas J. Persich (Charlene), Dr. Gregory J. Persich (Rachel), and Deacon David P. Persich (Lori), numerous great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, his Vincentian confreres, and friends.

Services will be on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at

St. Mary Magdalen Church

25 N. Las Posas Rd.

Camarillo, CA

Visitation: 9:30 a.m.

Rosary: 10:15 a.m.

Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m.

Fr. Roy will be buried in the Persich family tomb at Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, LA