Michael Joseph Keyes

Biography

Early life Michael Keyes was born on February 28, 1876, in Dingle, County Kerry in Ireland on February 28, 1876. He attended Christian Brothers schools in Dingle, then became an assistant teacher at one of the schools for three years. Keyes immigrated to the United States in 1896, teaching for several years at All Hallows College in Salt Lake City, Utah.

While in Utah, Keyes became acquainted with several Marist Brothers priests who motivated him to join the priesthood. Keyes moved to Washington, D.C., in 1901 to join the Marist Brothers congregation. He spent the next six years preparing for the priesthood by studying philosophy and theology.

Priesthood Keyes was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Alfred Curtis in Washington for the Marist Brothers on June 21, 1907.

Keyes's resignation as bishop of Savannah for health reasons was accepted by Pius XI on September 23, 1935; he was named titular bishop of Areopolis on the same date. After his health improved, Keyes moved back to Washington, D.C., to teach moral theology again at Marist College for the next 23 years.

Michael Keyes died in Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C., on August 7, 1959, at age 83.