Archdiocesan Priest, Rev. Patrick J. Lee, Dies
Chicago (April 17, 2025) – Rev. Patrick J. Lee, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish on Belmont Avenue in Chicago, passed away Monday, April 14, 2025, at the age of 74.
Lee was born on Dec. 9, 1950, in Evergreen Park. He attended Marist High School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, Niles College of Loyola University in Niles and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.
Lee was ordained to the priesthood on May 12, 1976, by Cardinal John Cody, and celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 30 of the same year at St. Terrence Parish in Alsip (now part of Incarnation St. Terrence Parish).
After ordination to the priesthood, Lee served as associate pastor at the following parishes: St. Christopher Parish in Midlothian, St. Matthias Parish on Ainslie Street in Chicago, St. Giles Parish in Oak Park and Immaculate Conception Parish on North Park Avenue in Chicago. Lee served as pastor at both Immaculate Conception Parish and St. Joseph Parish on North Orleans Street in Chicago from 1987 to 2013, laying the groundwork for the combination of the two parishes which merged to form Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph Parish in 2016. He was a faculty member at Quigley Preparatory Seminary from 1979 to 1986. Before retiring, Lee served as pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in the East Lakeview neighborhood for nine years.
Rev. John Hoffman, retired archdiocesan priest and a close friend, met Lee at the seminary. “He was a year behind me,” Hoffman said. He remembered Lee as a deeply spiritual priest who had a clear focus on ministering to the people in the parish. “Especially when folks were ill, he would make visits to the hospitals. He was very loyal to the Church, and was not reluctant to challenges. He prayed often for the LGBTQ community.”
Lee was an advocate for the Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach, or AGLO Chicago. During a Mass in 2023 that celebrated the 35th anniversary of the ministry, AGLO recognized Lee for his support since the group’s inception. Having a safe and welcoming space to worship is important to the community, he said after that Mass (from a Chicago Catholic article).
Rev. Vincent Costello, retired archdiocesan priest, remembered his classmate as a very dedicated priest. “He worked very hard for his people. May Christ the High Priest welcome him to the altar in heaven,” Costello said.
Visitation hours will be Monday, April 21, 2025, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd St. in Oak Lawn. Lying in state will take place Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Church, 708 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. Hoffman will celebrate the Mass and will be the homilist. Interment will be private.