From Servant of God to Venerable: The Journey of Fr Edward Flanagan towards Sainthood
A priest from Co Galway has taken a significant step towards sainthood as Pope Leo XIV authorized six individuals to advance in the process. Father Edward Flanagan, born in Ballymoe in Co Galway in 1886, was among those approved for this advancement. A Father Flanagan Memorial Centre has been established in Ballymoe, featuring a memorial garden and a pilgrim center. Fr Flanagan emigrated to the US in 1904 and founded Boys Town, an orphanage and education center in Nebraska.
Boys Town Village in Nebraska was founded in 1917 by Fr Edward Flanagan, gaining wider recognition after the release of the biographical film "Boys Town" in 1938. Spencer Tracey portrayed Fr Flanagan in the film and won an Oscar for Best Actor. The film also received an Oscar for Best Story. In 2012, the diocese of Omaha initiated the canonization process for Fr Flanagan, leading to his declaration as a Servant of God. Today, Pope Leo recognized Fr Flanagan's "heroic virtues," granting him the title of Venerable.
Bishop Kevin Doran of Achonry and Elphin expressed his joy at the announcement of Fr Flanagan being declared Venerable. He highlighted Fr Flanagan's dedication to providing a safe haven for young people at Boys Town during a time of crisis. Fr Flanagan's commitment to welcoming youth of all races and religions, as well as his advocacy against discrimination, was also emphasized. Bishop Doran noted Fr Flanagan's efforts to support homeless children and his work in post-war recovery efforts.
Fr Flanagan passed away in 1948 during a visit to Germany. Bishop Doran emphasized the relevance of Fr Flanagan's life and virtues in addressing contemporary issues such as homelessness and discrimination. The next step towards sainthood is beatification, which requires a thorough investigation into the person's life and the attribution of a posthumous miracle to them. Beatification is followed by canonization, where a second miracle is needed for the individual to be declared a saint.
The Catholic Church defines a miracle as a supernatural event that cannot be explained by natural causes. For a miracle to be recognized, a medical board must affirm that the healing is unexplained and immediate. Bishop Doran encouraged individuals to contact him or the Father Flanagan League of Devotion if they believe an unexplained healing has occurred. Fr Flanagan's journey towards sainthood continues, with his legacy of compassion and advocacy resonating in today's world.