Francis Missia

Francis A. Missia (January 26, 1884 – May 21, 1955) was a Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul. Born in Mota, Ljutomer, Austria (present-day Slovenia), he emigrated to the United States in 1903 and played an important role in liturgical music as one of the most prominent Catholic choirmasters in the Midwest and Northwest United States during the 20th century.

Early life

Missia was born in Slovenia on January 26, 1884, in Mota, in what was at the time the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and baptized Franz Missia. At the prompting of his uncle, Monsignor Jakob Missia, he studied at the Jesuits' Kalksburg College on the outskirts of Vienna. His education focused on classical and musical studies.

Priesthood

Fr. Missia was ordained to the priesthood on June 11, 1908. For the next 48 years until his death, he was a professor and the director of sacred music at the Saint Paul Seminary. Within two years, he directed the choir for the consecration of six bishops on May 19, 1910, at the seminary.

When Archbishop John Gregory Murray established a Sacred Music Commission in 1932, he placed Father Missia in charge. Missia later established the Saint Paul Catholic Choral Society and the Guild of Catholic Choirmasters and Organists.

Death and legacy

Missia died on May 21, 1955, near Hudson, Wisconsin, after the car he was in collided with the rear of a truck. He was returning from his cabin. Bishop John Gregory Murray celebrated the Requiem Mass, and Bishop Francis Schenk of Crookston preached the sermon.