Rev. Joseph T. Nolan, a longtime Theology Department faculty member who shared his thoughts on liturgical reform and renewal through books, lectures, a monthly newsletter, and later the Internet, died on July 25 at age 95.
A native of Winthrop, Mass., Fr. Nolan followed an unusual path to the priesthood, one that twice led him back to his alma mater. After graduating in 1942 from Boston College—where he earned the Fulton Debating Society’s coveted Fulton Medal as its top debater— Fr. Nolan worked as a fingerprint analyst for the FBI, then became a naval officer with postings in Brazil and the Philippines.
In a 1954 article for Today magazine, Fr. Nolan looked back fondly at his BC years. "My first advancement to the priesthood at Boston College was that I learned to think," he wrote, "After some years of trying to think, I vote solidly for the Jesuit system where it still uses the liberal arts that liberate."
He cited a number of Boston College Jesuits for the inspiration and direction they provided, including William Leonard, S.J., whom he credited for introducing him to "the splendors of the liturgy." Fr. Leonard promoted a renewal in Catholic liturgy and its overflow into Catholic life, and attended the Second Vatican Council as a liturgical advisor, advocating the saying of Mass in the vernacular rather than the traditional Latin.
"I would go there a hundred times over," said Fr. Nolan of BC, "It was the light of my soul."
Fr. Nolan returned to the University to study for a graduate degree, then spent four years at a seminary in Missouri. Upon entering the priesthood, he served as a pastor in the diocese of Wichita, Kan., for 14 years.
During his years in Wichita, Fr. Nolan was active in implementing liturgical reforms that were the subject of the Second Vatican Council: "turning around the altar, using lectors to read the scriptures, bringing up the bread and wine, moving the wake service to the church [and] involving the laity," he recalled. The local bishop, having received a parishioner's letter praising Fr. Nolan, was convinced he "was on the right track" and enabled him to attend the council as a visitor in 1965.
After earning a graduate degree in theology from Harvard University, in 1973 Fr. Nolan once again came to Boston College, where he taught a course on liturgy until his retirement in 2001. He preached and presided frequently at St. Ignatius Church, as well as Our Lady of the Assumption in Osterville, Mass., and his homilies were reprinted and widely distributed.
Not long after his return to BC, Fr. Nolan decided to start a monthly homily service that he titled Good News, to help clergy preach from the lectionary with readings prescribed by the liturgical reform.
"I shifted to an emphasis on preaching," Fr. Nolan said, "because in general it was done badly. I did about half the writing of homily models, and gathered an ecumenical group of writers from the U.S. and the U.K. to assist me. They became great friends and colleagues."
Fr. Nolan recounted his story, as well as his thoughts on the success, problems and challenges of the liturgical renewal, in a 2008 autobiography, A Life in Liturgy: Rediscovering the Mass. He also authored Let the Earth Rejoice, They Shall Be Comforted and The World, the Church, and Preaching. He frequently lectured on many of the subjects and themes he covered in his writings.
Internet technology helped Fr. Nolan broaden his outreach, such as a daily email posting called “Thoughts for the Journey.” Its short messages, he explained, “come from my writing, preaching, reading—and I want to share them. They are to educate and lift us all on the pilgrimage that brings us to God—this day, and one day, forever.”
He is survived by a niece and two nephews. A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on July 28 at St. Ignatius Church.
—News & Public Affairs