Rev. Msgr. James R. Tracy
Deceased: 2025-04-23
Diocese: CAMDEN
Seminary Graduation Year: 1961
ICTE Fall: 1997,2011
On April 23, 2025, Msgr. James R. Tracy, a priest of the Diocese of Camden, passed away peacefully after serving over 64 dedicated years to his Lord and Savior. Beloved son of the late Thomas J and Nora (nee Dunn) Tracy. Dear brother of the late Thomas J. Tracy, Jr. (Rose). Loving uncle of Thomas Tracy (Carol) and Kimberly Tracy (Thomas). Loved by many dear cousins.
After returning from Seminary in Rome, Monsignor began a journey that took him to all reaches of the Camden Diocese and a return to Rome for Advanced Studies. His assignments included many Diocesan roles and residence at many parishes, particularly as pastor at the parishes of St. Bridget, St. Peter Celestine, St. Pius X and St. Charles Borromeo. Monsignor continued to serve the Diocese in retirement while in residence at Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish.
Family and friends are invited to attend his viewing, beginning with the Rite of Reception of the Body, on Tuesday, April 29, from 5:00-7:30 PM, at Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish/Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 500 Greentree Road, Glassboro.
A viewing will also be held on Wednesday, April 30, from 9:00-10:00 AM at St. Bridget University Parish Church, 125 Church Street, Glassboro, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:15 AM. Interment, at St. Bridget’s Cemetery, Glassboro.
The family requests no flowers, in lieu of flowers or other acts of sympathy we would encourage any donations be made to the Scared Heart Residence c/o Diocese of Camden 631 Market St. Camden, NJ 08102.
“Wonderful Here and Beyond”
Friends of Msgr. James R. Tracy are remembering the longtime priest as a man who inspired vocations and exemplified holiness.
“He was the kind of priest who made you want to be a better priest,” said Father Allain Caparas, pastor of Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish, Glassboro. “I’m grateful to have known him, and even more grateful to have called him a friend, a brother and a mentor.”
Msgr. Tracy died April 23, 2025 at age 88.
A viewing will be held 5-7 p.m. on April 29 at Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 500 Greentree Road, Glassboro. On April 30, a viewing will be held 9-10 a.m. at Saint Bridget University Parish, 127 Church St., Glassboro. The Mass of Christian Burial immediately will follow at 10:15 a.m.
The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Joseph Williams; Father Joseph J. Adamson will be the homilist. Burial will be at Saint Bridget Cemetery.
In the weeks before his death, Msgr. Tracy had moved from Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish and the rectory in Pitman – where he had lived for 14 years – to Sacred Heart Priest Residence in Cherry Hill.
“Through these many years, I have felt so welcomed, so supported and so loved,” Msgr. Tracy said in a video posted to the parish’s social media outlets in March. In the video, he revealed he recently had been diagnosed with cancer.
Msgr. Tracy was visited by Father Allain Caparas, pastor of Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish, Glassboro, and parishioners Susan Coyle and Boone Boutro in early April at Sacred Heart Residence in Cherry Hill. Msgr. Tracy was presented with a spiritual bouquet on behalf of the parish community. Together, the parish offered: 1,712 Mass Intentions and Holy Communions; 1,399 Divine Mercy Chaplets; 2,684 Rosaries; 442 Novenas; 93 Holy Hours; 21 Spiritual Intentions and Acts of Mercy. Father Caparas said he would always treasure the time he spent with Msgr. Tracy serving the Glassboro community.
“His joy, dedication, humility and love for our Eucharistic Lord taught me much – and continue to inspire me in my own vocation as a priest,” Father Caparas said. “The people of our parish were truly blessed by his priestly example and holiness.”
Father Carlo Santa Teresa, parochial vicar at Saint Joseph Parish in Somers Point, knew Msgr. Tracy for 30 years, beginning when Father Santa Teresa was a student at then-St. Peter Celestine Catholic School in Cherry Hill. Msgr. Tracy was pastor at the parish.
“He was always somebody who was present to everyone,” Father Santa Teresa said.
He recalled how, before every Christmas and Easter break, Msgr. Tracy would get on the loudspeaker to urge the students to use their days off wisely. “He reminded us that the vacation we had was always an opportunity to grow closer to Christ.”
Msgr. Tracy also recognized the young Santa Teresa’s gifts, even if the student didn’t see them himself.
“Msgr. Tracy was the first person to ever ask if I wanted to become a priest,” Father Santa Teresa recalled. “Even as I was running from my vocation, monsignor was always there reminding me that the Lord had something in store for me.” In May 2021, Msgr. Tracy vested Father Santa Teresa with his priestly garments at his ordination. “I will miss the joy that exuded from his life as a priest,” Father Santa Teresa said of his friend. “Monsignor always asked ‘What more can I do for Christ?’”
Msgr. Tracy was born June 27, 1936, in Camden. He attended Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore and the University of Saint Thomas in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood Dec. 18, 1960, in Rome.
He was pastor at Saint Bridget, Glassboro, 1982-91; Saint Peter Celestine, Cherry Hill, 1991-2000; and Saint Charles Borromeo, Sicklerville, 2002-2011. He taught at both Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill, and Holy Spirit High School, Absecon; He became principal of Saint James High School, Carneys Point, in 1968; superintendent of schools in 1970, and secretary for education in 1980.
Other administrative positions he held included chairman of the diocesan RCIA Implementation Committee, and vicar general for pastoral life. He retired from full-time ministry July 31, 2011.
