Rev. Charles Leo Wallen, C.S.C.
August 2, 1924 – June 29, 2022
NOTRE DAME, IND. – Rev. Charles L. Wallen, C.S.C., 98, died at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind. on June 29, 2022 after a short illness.
Fr. Wallen was born on August 2, 1924 in Pawtucket, R.I., the last of nine children to Charles Wallen and Marcella (Zebrowski). In 1942, he graduated from St. Raphael Academy High School in Pawtucket, R.I. Following his graduation, he spent three years serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. In November 1945, he entered Our Lady of Holy Cross Seminary in North Easton, Mass. and two years later entered Holy Cross Novitiate in North Dartmouth, Mass., where he made first vows on August 16, 1948. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1950, did his theologate at Holy Cross College, Washington, DC from 1950-1954, and earned a Master’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1965. He was ordained a Holy Cross priest on June 5, 1954.
After ordination, Fr. Wallen was assigned to the Eastern Mission Band from 1954-1960, then as an Army Chaplain from 1960-1964. He spent the next three years teaching at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., before being assigned as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Bennington, Vt. from 1968-1972. After a year sabbatical at Genesee Abbey in Piffard, N.Y., he was an assistant at St. Joseph Parish in Newport, R.I. from 1973-1975. He served as Chaplain at the Veterans Admin. Hospital in Brockton, Mass. from 1975-1985, and a subsequent assignment as Chaplain at the Veterans Admin. Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz. from 1985-1990. He then returned to North Dartmouth as Religious Superior at Holy Cross Residence from 1992-1998 before offering ministry assistance for the next two years for the Diocese of Fall River, Mass. From 2000-2006, he served as pastor at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Wilmington, Vt. From 2006-2016, he resided at the Mission House in North Dartmouth, Mass. In 2016, he resided at Stonehill College, North Easton, Mass. before moving to Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind. in 2020.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at the Chapel of Mary located on Stonehill College campus in North Easton, Mass. There will be an hour of visitation in the Chapel, starting at 9:00 a.m. EST. You may also join us via livestream at https://www.stonehill.edu/events/funeral-mass-for-fr-charles-l-wallen-csc/2022-07-07/
Burial will be in the community cemetery in Easton, Massachusetts. Kane Funeral Home, Easton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Advancement, 500 Washington Street, North Easton, MA 02356-1299 or online at https://donate.holycrossusa.org.
