Born in Bendigo, Victoria in 1890, Devaney attended St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, entering the Marist Brothers juniorate in 1904. He took his vows in 1915. He moved to Queensland in 1921 after leaving the order due to contracting tuberculosis.
Devaney was born in Bendigo, Victoria in 1890. He attended St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, joining the Marist Brothers juniorate in 1904. In 1915, he took his vows. Following health issues and tuberculosis, Devaney relocated to Queensland in 1921.