Donald J. Reagan
July 21, 1923 – August 24, 2004
Monsignor Donald J. Reagan died on August 24 at the age of 81. His funeral Mass was celebrated August 26–27 at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown, Ohio.
Born in 1923, Monsignor Reagan pursued extensive academic and musical formation, earning a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and both a master’s and doctorate in music from The Catholic University of America. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Youngstown on May 31, 1947, and went on to serve the Church in a wide range of pastoral, educational, and musical leadership roles.
In 1961, he was named a papal chamberlain by Blessed Pope John XXIII. Within the Diocese of Youngstown, he served in several parish assignments and later as pastor emeritus of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Warren. His diocesan ministry also included leadership in Catholic education, where he served as principal of Ursuline High School and assistant superintendent of diocesan schools.
Monsignor Reagan was deeply engaged in the formation of future ministers and educators. He served as associate director of field education and director of the pastoral internship program at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary from 1984 to 1987, and earlier taught on its faculty. During a sabbatical, he taught in the Rensselaer Program at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, and also served on the faculty of The Catholic University of America. He additionally taught at the St. Joseph Institute of Music.
A prolific composer of liturgical music, Monsignor Reagan published more than fifty works, many of which appeared in The People’s Mass Book and Glory and Praise. His jazz-influenced Mass setting, Mercy, Mercy: Mass in a Jazz Style, was published by NPM Publications. He was a past president of the National Catholic Music Educators Association and remained a longtime supporter and frequent presenter at conventions of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
Monsignor Reagan retired from active ministry in 1988, leaving a legacy marked by pastoral service, educational leadership, and a significant contribution to contemporary Catholic liturgical music.