Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

From the

Official News Magazine of the Diocese of Spokane

(From the Dec. 3, 2009 edition of the Inland Register)

Msgr. David Rosage (IR file photo)

Msgr. David E. Rosage, a priest of the Spokane Diocese for 66 years, died Nov. 14 at the age of 96.

The vigil service was held Nov. 20 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, Spokane. The funeral Mass was celebrated there the next day, with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery.

The death of Msgr. David Rosage marks a special milestone in our diocesan history,” said Bishop Skylstad.

“First of all, he was the oldest priest in the diocese. He was the founder of Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, which this year marks its 50th anniversary, and of Our Lady of Fatima Parish.

“Msgr. Rosage’s commitment to Church and to priesthood was evident,” said the bishop. “His commitment to retreat ministry has left a tremendous impact upon this diocese. His own growth in spirituality was clear, and with good stewarship, he used his gift of writing to publish a tremendous number of books on spirituality. In fact, many years ago, while I was visiting a country in Africa, I came across one of his books in the retreat house library!

“All of that is quite a legacy! We have been blessed. May he rest in peace.”

He was born in Johnstown, Pa., and studied at the Pontifical Seminary Josephinum in Wor-thington, Ohio, where he was ordained for the Spokane Diocese on May 30, 1943.

He first served as assistant pastor of St. Ann Parish, Spokane, before being named Diocesan Youth Director in 1946.

In 1956 he became the founding pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Spokane.

In 1957, the late Bishop Bernard Topel gave then-Father Rosage the charge of establishing a retreat center for the diocese, including raising the money, buying the property, and building the facility. He went on to direct Immaculate Heart Retreat Center from 1957-1989.

In addition to his retreat ministry, Msgr. Rosage was a prolific author. He published more than 40 books on various aspects of spirituality, beginning with Letters to to an Altar Boy in 1952. He was a regular columnist for the Inland Register, and created pamphlets, magazine articles, and other publications as well. By 1980 he had sold over three million copies of his books worldwide, with the proceeds helping support Immaculate Heart’s ministry.

He was named a monsignor in 1967.

In an Inland Register interview in 2005, Msgr. Rosage said that he found the most satisfaction in giving retreats himself. He was in high demand as a retreat master throughout the United States for many years, and led at least three retreats in the Holy Land as well.

“I was always happy in the priesthood,” he said, “and I always had lots of work.”

Msgr. Rosage was preceded in death by his parents, John and Otlena Rosage, and by his brothers Norbert, Bernard, and Elmer. He is survived by two sisters, Anna Mary Courtney, from Johnstown, Pa., and Barbara Lapenta, from Livonia, Mo.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Msgr. Rosage to Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Benn Burr Rd., Spokane, WA 99223.