NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Rev. James P. Madden, C.S.C., 96, died at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind., on January 28, 2026, after a short illness.
Fr. Madden was born to John and Gladys (Wells) Madden in New York, N.Y., on July 15, 1929, and is the third oldest of six children.
Fr. Madden attended elementary school at St. Augustine’s School in Larchmont, N.Y., and received his secondary education at Iona Preparatory Upper School in New Rochelle, N.Y. After graduation in 1947, he attended the University of Notre Dame, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1951. That same year, he entered the Novitiate of the Eastern Province at North Dartmouth, Mass. He made First Vows on September 1, 1952, and Final Vows on September 1, 1955. From 1953-1957, he did theological studies at Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C., and was ordained a Holy Cross priest on June 5, 1957. He did additional studies at Catholic University, where he received a master’s degree in 1970. He also earned a certificate of advanced graduate studies in clinical psychology from Yale University and completed four quarters of CPE training at St. Raphael’s Hospital in New Haven, Conn.
After ordination in 1957, Fr Madden assisted, what was then called Dacca, East Pakistan, until 1962. From 1962-1964, he served as chaplain at Holy Cross Brothers High School in Flushing, N.Y., before serving as a chaplain and teacher at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., from 1964-1969. From 1970-1971, he served as chaplain for Notre Dame High School in West Haven, Conn., before teaching at Notre Dame High School in Bridgeport, Conn., for the following year. From 1972-1973, he studied at Yale University in the Clinical Pastoral Education Program before initiating the House of Affirmation in Whitinsville, Mass., where he served as a therapist, lecturer, director, and a member of the Board of Directors from 1973-1981. In 1982, he studied Spirituality at the University of Toronto for a year before serving as chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, Mass., in 1984. From 1985-1990, he served as chaplain at Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, Conn., before he was assigned as pastor at St. Bernadette’s Parish in Bridport, Vt., from 1991-1994. For the next year, he participated in a sabbatical renewal program, before teaching at Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Conn., from 1996-1999. From 1999-2016, he assisted the Family Rosary, Holy Cross Vocation Office and St. Joseph Center located in Valatie, N.Y., before residing at Holy Cross House in Notre Dame, Ind., in 2016 until his passing.
Fr. Madden was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, John Madden, Jack Madden, and Tom Madden, and sisters, Sheila Madden and Sr. Patricia Madden. He is survived by beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 9:00-10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026, at the Chapel of Mary located on Stonehill College campus in North Easton, Mass., with a Funeral Mass following at 10:00 a.m. You may join us via livestream at https://youtube.com/live/Kk21mGekGcs?feature=share
Burial will be in the community cemetery in Easton, Massachusetts. Kane Funeral Home, Easton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Advancement, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765 or online at https://donate.holycrossusa.org
