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Archbishop Celebrates Father Flanagan's Progress Toward Sainthood
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In Short: Archbishop Michael G. McGovern led a Mass of Thanksgiving for Venerable Edward J. Flanagan, celebrating his advancement in the sainthood process.
Archbishop Michael G. McGovern led a Mass of Thanksgiving for Venerable Edward J. Flanagan, celebrating his advancement in the sainthood process. “As we gather here and reflect upon Father’s heroic virtues throughout his life, we thank God for the way that he lived, the way that he loved, the way that he served,” the archbishop said in his homily.
Father Flanagan, who founded Boys Town, was recognized by Pope Leo XIV with a decree on March 23, marking a significant step forward in his sainthood process. “Our prayers have been answered,” Colleen Gawley said.
The Mass, held at Dowd Memorial Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, was attended by Boys Town residents who served as lectors, ushers, and choir members. Archbishop McGovern noted that Father Flanagan’s work paralleled that of St. John Bosco in Italy, using a preventative method to reach troubled youths before their problems escalated.
The archbishop highlighted Father Flanagan’s perseverance and the risks he took in his work. “He served as St. John Bosco had in Italy, reaching people before their problems could become more complicated,” Archbishop McGovern said in an earlier interview.
Many more watched a livestream of the Mass, which was viewed as far away as Father Flanagan’s native Ireland. The event included the participation of two former archbishops, George J. Lucas and Thomas J. Paprocki, and members of Father Flanagan’s family and supporters from the Father Flanagan League Society of Devotion.
What's still developing
- People in the Boys Town community “like to say that this whole sainthood process is confirming a lot of things we already knew,” said Father Jeff Mollner, Boys Town’s national director of mission and spirituality.
- “But he persevered,” the archbishop said, “until he was ordained a priest” serving in Omaha and O’Neill.
- It was a day of joy and thanksgiving for everyone, including the leader of the Omaha Archdiocese, Archbishop Michael G.
Sources
- OSV Newslink