Monsignor Raymund Mullan

Monsignor Raymund Mullan, priest, musician, and author, died Sunday, December 14, 2025 at the age of 88. Msgr. Mullan was incardinated in the Diocese of Fort Worth on June 29, 1994, the 32nd anniversary of his priestly ordination in the Archdiocese of Pretoria, South Africa.

Msgr. Mullan was born on May 11, 1937, in Pretoria, South Africa, the third of four sons born to Bertram and Mynie Mullan.

He entered St. John Vianney Seminary immediately after high school and began his years of study and preparation for the priesthood.

Monsignor Mullan was ordained to the priesthood on the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, June 29, 1962, in Sacred Heart Cathedral in Pretoria.

In three decades of priesthood in his homeland of South Africa, he served as a parish priest, vocations director, chaplain at a maximum-security prison, and chaplain to the South African Defense Force during a time of war.

With permission from Archbishop George Daniel of Pretoria, in December 1989 Msgr. Mullan emigrated from South Africa with his parents to Texas, and in January 1990 he took up his first assignment in the Diocese of Fort Worth as associate pastor to Msgr. Charles King at St. John the Apostle Parish in North Richland Hills.

In July 1991 he was reassigned to Immaculate Conception Parish in Denton, and in October of that year he named pastor of St. Mary Parish in Graham and St. Theresa Parish in Olney.

On March 27, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed and named him “Prelate of Honor to His Holiness” and conferred on him the title of Monsignor.

Having served 23 years as pastor to St. Mary Parish in Graham and St. Theresa Parish in Olney, he retired from full-time priestly ministry on June 30, 2014, and moved to Mansfield where he was invited to stay in the old rectory of St. Jude Parish.

Even in retirement, he continued celebrating daily Mass at St. Jude Parish and glorifying the Lord through his hobbies of music and writing.

At a celebratory Mass on June 29, 2022, in honor of his 60th priestly anniversary, the music was composed by Msgr. Mullan himself — the Mass of Maria Regina, named for the parish in South Africa where he was first assigned, as well as the songs “Lord, Forgive Me” and “Ave Maria.”

On the occasion, Bishop Michael Olson noted, “The ministry of Msgr. Mullan as a priest has been marked by the peace of Christ amidst great tumult in society and the life of the Church. He came to this diocese as a faithful priest and kind pastor who very much brought with him a love and appreciation for the authentic priesthood of Jesus Christ during a stormy period of life in this diocese.”

Msgr. Mullan has written and memorized lengthy humorous poems for his brother and sister-in-law and their children. He has also written several plays, including “The Christmas Story” and “The Easter Story … Seven Years After.” He also wrote a set of meditations for The Way of the Cross.

When declining health necessitated a move to an assisted living facility, he ministered to his fellow residents by hearing their confessions, celebrating Sunday Mass, and anointing them, when requested.

Rosary / Vigil Service:  7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 18, 2025 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 500 E. Dallas Street, Mansfield, Texas 76063.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 19, 2025 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 500 E. Dallas Street, Mansfield, Texas 76063.

Graveside Service:  12:00 p.m. on Friday at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 2301 N. Sylvania Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given to the Priest Care Fund at the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, 800 W. Loop 820 S, Fort Worth, TX 76108 or to the Discalced Carmelites at Carmel of the Infant Jesus of Prague and St Joseph, 600 Flowers Ave, Dallas, TX 75211, where his great, great niece is a religious sister.