OBITURARY Info:
CARMELITE PRIEST HERBERT JONES DIES
(July 2, 2026; Darien, IL) The Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary (PCM), Order of Carmelites, mourns the death of the Reverend Herbert Jones, O. Carm., who died at the age of 92 on June 30, 2026.
Visitation
Thursday, July 9, 2026, 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, MA 01841
Funeral Mass
Friday, July 10, 2026, 10:30 am
St. Monica Church, 212 Lawrence St., Methuen, MA 01841
Burial (Following the Mass)
Immaculate Conception Cemetery, 29 Barker St., Lawrence, MA 01841
Herbert was born to the late Herbert Augustine Jones and Mary Margaret (Bradley) Jones on December 28, 1934, in Methuen, Massachusetts. His name at baptism was James Kenneth. He is predeceased by his brothers Herbert Jones, Jr., William Bradley Jones, and Herbert Jones, and is survived by his sister Dr. Carol Ann Regan.
Herbert was educated in the local Catholic schools before entering Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in 1952. He entered the Carmelite novitiate in New Baltimore, Pennsylvania, the following year and professed first vows in 1954. He continued theological studies at Niagara Falls, St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York, and Whitefriars Hall, Washington, DC, also attending language school at Georgetown University. Herbert professed solemn vows in 1957 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1960.
Father Herbert’s first assignment was a summer at St. Clara Parish in Chicago, Illinois, surveying the Hispanic community, an opportunity to use the Spanish he had studied and develop a greater understanding of Hispanic culture, knowledge to build on as in 1961 he was sent to San Miguel Parish in Santiago, Chile. He ministered in Chile 6 years, as an associate pastor, teacher, director of a junior seminary, also serving periods as the diocesan Dean and as councilor in the Carmelite Commissariate of Chile and Peru. From his baptismal name James he would be known during his many years of ministry in Latin America as Padre Santiago.
In 1967 he returned to the United States to become associate pastor at St. Anastasia Parish in Teaneck, New Jersey. In 1972 he was assigned as associate pastor at St. Thérèse Parish in Cresskill, New Jersey, and in 1975 he became pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Bogota, New Jersey, a post he held for 9 years. During that time he also worked as the local vocation director.
Although Father Herbert cherished parish ministry and enjoyed being on the East Coast with proximity to family and friends, in 1984 he answered a call to direct the Casa San Elias formation house in Lima, Peru, for a year. He then returned to work on a volunteer program in Peabody, Massachusetts, for 6 months, before starting a 6-month sabbatical at the Collegio Internazionale Sant Alberto in Rome, Italy.
Following his sabbatical, in 1986 Fr. Herbert returned to Lima, Peru, where he served for the following 13 years as pastor of Nuestra Señora del Carmen parish, as well as president of the parish primary and secondary schools, and as regional superior for the Peruvian Commissariat.
In 2000, he returned to the United States, assigned to the St. Thérèse Chapel at the Northshore Shopping Center in Peabody, Massachusetts, a ministry that brought prayer and the sacraments into the midst of everyday life, and which he would ultimately direct. In 2011 he retired, but responding to need returned in 2014 as director of St. Thérèse Chapel, until the transfer of the Chapel to the care of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. In 2016, Fr. Herbert retired to St. Monica Rectory in Methuen. He remained close to the place of his birth in Massachusetts until his death.
Father Herbert devoted more than six decades of priestly ministry to the Carmelite Order in many places and a multitude of roles. Although entrusted with many positions of leadership during his life – director of formation, school president, Regional Superior, vocation director, among others – he was first a pastor: not meaning simply a parish priest, work he certainly valued, but above all else one with a concern for others and their growth, accompanying and guiding people in their journeys.
Father Herbert will be remembered for his pastoral presence and his willingness to serve wherever the needs of the Province called him. May he rest in peace.
Donations in honor of the Reverend Herbert Jones, O. Carm., may be made to: the Society of Mount Carmel, 1317 North Frontage Road, Darien, Illinois, 60561.
For further information on the Reverend Herbert Jones, O. Carm., or the Order of Carmelites, please contact Carmelite Media at (630) 971-0724 or visit the Carmelite website at www.carmelites.net.
Fr. Herbert Jones, O.Carm.
In loving memory, we regret to announce the passing of Father Herbert Jones O.Carm., June 30, 2026 in Lawrence, MA at age 91. Father Herb was born December 28, 1934 and was christened James K. Jones. He was the son of the late Herbert and Mary (Bradley) Jones and predeceased by his brothers Herbert A (Chuck)Jones Jr. and William B Jones. Jim will be missed by the many he touched throughout his life. He is survived by his sister, Carol Regan, and by his ten nieces and nephews, their spouses and children, as well as a multitude of Godchildren around the world.
Jim participated in countless family gatherings and we recall his presence with great warmth and love. One example of his joy in family was his annual hosting of an Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt at the priory in Peabody, MA. He was a graduate of St. Mary Grammar School and Central Catholic High School, after which he entered the Carmelite Seminary and was ordained a Carmelite Priest in 1960 as Father Herbert Jones O’Carm.
His life was one of service in the Carmelite Tradition. He soon learned the language and culture of the Spanish community ell as the multitude was assigned to minister in Chile. This was followed by service in multiple parishes in New Jersey in the suburbs of NY City, as well as a return to the Missionary work in Lima, Peru. As in all his assignments he became thoroughly engaged in the parish life of the families he served, becoming their counselor and friend. After 16 years he returned to the United States in January of 2000 and was assigned as Director of the Carmelite Chapel of St. Therese in the North Shore Mall in Peabody, MA.
When the Rectory closed there, Father Bill Lohan, Pastor of St. Monica Parish, invited him to live with them and help out as needed. When Father Lohan was reassigned he was invited by Father Chris Wallace to join them in the Rectory at All Saints Parish in Haverhill. Health concerns precipitated his move to the Marguerite House Assisted Living in Lawrence and more recently to the Nevins Nursing Home in Methuen.
Fr. Herb dedicated his life in service to God’s people. His life was a testament to his love of God through all of the different ways he found to provide service to others.
In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a donation to the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) in memory of Father Herbert Jones O’Carm.
Dr. Carol Regan (Fr. Herb’s Sister)