CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Monsignor Edward Sadie, a former pastor and rector of the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charleston, died Sunday at the age of 93.
Sadie is known for revitalizing Catholic schools like Charleston Catholic High School and enhancing the Catholic church’s presence in downtown Charleston.
“His impact on the schools and on all the individuals in the schools and the greater community was just tremendous,” Charleston Catholic High School Principal Colleen Hoyer told MetroNews.
Sadie, a Parkersburg native, retired in 2016 after serving as a priest for 59 years. He was ordained as a priest in 1957 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston Bishop Mark Brennan said serving as priest for nearly 60 years is an amazing accomplishment.
“He was a man who reflected his roots in another part of the world through his parents but also fully embraced the best American tradition of many faiths getting along with one another even if they maintain their own internal integrity,” Brennan said.
Sadie served at the St. Joseph’s Seminary when it opened in 1963 until he transferred to Charleston in 1969. He became rector of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in 1980 and also was in charge of the Catholic schools in Charleston.
“It was one of his biggest passions,” Hoyer said. “He was passionate about Catholic schools and Catholic education and access to education, making sure that everyone has an opportunity to a good education.”
The Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart posted on Facebook this week, “It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of our beloved former pastor and rector Msgr. Sadie. It is with great joy that we pray in hope for his eternal glory.”
CCHS wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “We mourn the loss of Msgr. Sadie, a true visionary whose commitment and devotion to Charleston Catholic helped create the successful school we know today. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
Hoyer said Sadie did so much that wasn’t noticed and he wanted it that way.
“He was always behind the scenes looking for ways to help, making the quiet difference in people’s lives that many don’t know about. He was a force for sure,” Hoyer said.
We mourn the loss of Msgr. Sadie, a true visionary whose commitment and devotion to Charleston Catholic helped create the successful school we know today.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. pic.twitter.com/2yYjSbLpIr— CCHS Athletics (@cchssports) February 13, 2024
Sadie will be buried at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Parkersburg with his parents, according to the obituary at the Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home in Charleston, which is handling the arrangements.
Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Thursday at the basilica in Charleston where a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. There will be a separate visitation from 9-10:30 a.m. Friday at the basilica.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at the basilica with Bishop Brennan as the presider.
In lieu of flowers or other acknowledgements, the family requests that donations be made to The Father Sadie Educational Fund, 1033 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV 25301.