Father James P. Sweeney was born in Attica, N.Y. March 16, 1894 and entered the Society of Jesus August 14, 1914.
His early studies were made at Saint Andrew's after which he went to Woodstock for Philosophy. His regency was spent at Boston College and Boston College High School after which he returned to Woodstock for his Theology. He was ordained in Albany by Bishop Gibbons in 1926. Two years of teaching Philosophy at Canisius preceded his Tertianship which was made at Poughkeepsie and then he returned to Canisius College for a seven year term as Minister and Professor of Sociology. He was appointed Vice-Rector of Canisius College in April 1934 and the following August 24 was named Rector. This office he held for three years when he was named Vice-Provincial of the newly created Maryland Vice-Province. In 1939 he was appointed Provincial of the Maryland-New York Province and held this office until 1945 when he was assigned to St. Peter's College, Jersey City.