Fr. W. Peter Bayhi, S.J.

Jesuit Father W. Peter Bayhi, who taught Latin and debate at Jesuit High School and later served in retreat ministry, died Nov. 10 in St. Louis. He was 87 years old, a Jesuit for 68 years and a priest for 55 years.

A native of New Orleans, Father Bayhi was predeceased by his father, Henry Peter Bayhi, his mother, Sophia Marie Carriere Bayhi and his brother, Henry Bayhi. He is survived by his sister, Norma Duffy, and his niece, Susan Duffy-Diaz.

He entered the Jesuit novitiate at St. Charles College in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, on July 30, 1953, and pronounced first vows on July 31, 1955. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1966, at Holy Name of Jesus Church in New Orleans and pronounced final vows as a Jesuit on Sept. 7, 1973. 

In 1955, Father Bayhi was sent to Spring Hill College, in Mobile, Alabama, where he studied education and philosophy. He then began a long career in secondary education, beginning at Jesuit High School in Dallas. He taught there 1960-63 and then left for St. Mary's College in St. Marys, Kansas, for his theology studies. 

Following his priestly ordination, he was assigned to his alma mater, Jesuit High School in New Orleans, where he taught Latin and coached debate from 1968-72. He then returned to Jesuit Dallas, where he taught Latin until 1981.

He served as associate pastor at St. Joseph’s Church in Houston, taught at Fordham Prep in New York from 1982-84 and then for three years at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.

Father Bayhi then began direct spiritual ministry. He was a chaplain at Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis. He was an associate pastor at Holy Name of Jesus in New Orleans (1994-97) and St. Rita Church in Dallas (1997-99).

Father Bayhi’s final area of active ministry was as a spiritual and retreat director. He directed retreats and provided spiritual direction at Jesuit Spirituality Center in Grand Coteau for several years before preaching retreats at Manresa Retreat House in Convent, Louisiana.

Memorial gifts may be made to the USA Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus at 4511 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108 or bit.ly.30tzXdl.