November 16, 2018 — Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. Philip C. Rule, SJ, who died on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Mich. He was 87 years old. May he rest in peace. 

Father Rule was born on February 4, 1931, in Cleveland. He entered the Society of Jesus on July 24, 1949, at Milford Novitiate in Milford, Ohio. He was ordained on June 14, 1962, at Colombiere College in Clarkston. He took final vows on August 15, 1966, at Colombiere College in Clarkston. 

Father Rule graduated St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland before he entered the Society. While in the Society, he earned a licentiate degree in philosophy (1956) and sacred theology (1961) from West Baden College in West Baden, Indiana. Father Rule also earned a master's degree in English from Loyola University Chicago (1957) and a doctorate in English from Harvard University in Cambridge (1968). 

During regency Fr. Rule taught English and Greek at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. After studies, Fr. Rule was the consultant for the Detroit provincial on the studies of Ours (1968-1970) and the Detroit Province director of studies (1973-1977). He was the literary editor of America Magazine for one year (1970-1971). Father Rule taught English at the University of Detroit (1968-1980) and was rector of the University of Detroit Jesuit Community (1977-1980). In 1980, he moved to Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass., where he was a professor of English (1980-2005), professor emeritus (2005-2015), the editor of the Faculty Forum (2005-2007), and assistant director for alumni continuing education (2005-2012). He moved to Colombiere Center in 2012 to care for his health. 

Father Rule was an excellent scholar, fine teacher, and a good community man. He loved teaching at the University of Detroit (where he taught young Jesuits) and later Holy Cross, but when he knew it was time for a change, with self-knowledge and freedom, he asked to receive a new mission to Colombiere. 

Wake 

Monday, November 19, 2018 
4:00 - 8:30 p.m. 
Wake Service 
7:00 p.m. 
Colombiere Center 
9075 Big Lake Road 
Clarkston, MI 48346 

Funeral Mass 

Tuesday, November 20, 2018 
10:45 a.m. 
Colombiere Center 
9075 Big Lake Road 
Clarkston, MI 48346 

Burial Service 

Immediately following the funeral