Abbot, Saint Mary’s Abbey, Newark, New Jersey (1886-1909)

Hilary Pfrangle entered Saint Vincent in 1858, studied theology in Rome from 1866 to 1870 and received his doctorate at the University of La Sapienza. He returned to America to serve as professor of dogmatics, director of the College and Seminary. He was elected to succeed James Zilliox as abbot of Saint Mary’s Abbey in 1886.

Reluctantly, Pfrängle accepted the election on the advice of Archabbot Bonifaz Wimmer. He took possession of his abbey on February 21, 1887.

During Abbot Hilary’s tenure, the academic standards of Saint Benedict’s College continued to rise, the abbey’s friars pastored several parishes in the state of New Jersey, and Saint Raphael’s Parish in Manchester was founded, as was the Priory of Saint Anselm (1927 Abbey).

He died of a stroke on December 21, 1909.