Edward J. Flanagan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Servant of God Edward Joseph Flanagan Monsignor |
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| Archdiocese | Omaha |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 26 July 1912 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Edward Joseph Flanagan |
| Born | 13 July 1886 Leabeg, County Roscommon United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Died | 15 May 1948 (aged 61) Berlin, Germany |
| Buried | Dowd Memorial Chapel Immaculate Conception Parish Boys Town, Nebraska, US |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Occupation | Founder of Boys Town |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts (1906) Master of Arts (1908) |
| Alma mater | Mount St. Mary's University Emmitsburg, Maryland, US |
Edward Joseph Flanagan (born July 13, 1886 – died May 15, 1948) was an Irish-born Catholic priest. He moved to the United States and spent many years working in Nebraska.
After serving as a local priest, he started a special home and school for children. This place became known as Boys Town. It is located near Omaha, in a place now called Boys Town. Today, Boys Town also helps young people who are facing difficulties.
Father Flanagan's work became very famous. This was especially true after the movie Boys Town came out in 1938. In the movie, actor Spencer Tracy played Father Flanagan. After World War II, Father Flanagan was asked by General Douglas MacArthur to visit Japan and Korea. He also went to Austria and Germany. His advice helped improve conditions for children in these countries.
In 2012, the Catholic Church in Omaha began the process to make Father Flanagan a saint. He was given the title "Servant of God" that year.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Edward Flanagan was born in a small area called Leabeg, in County Roscommon, Ireland. This was close to the village of Ballymoe. His parents were John and Honoria Flanagan. He went to Summerhill College in Sligo, Ireland.
In 1904, he moved to the United States with his sister, Nellie. He studied at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1906. Later, Flanagan went to St. Joseph's Seminary in New York.
He became very sick with pneumonia and had to take a year off. He stayed with his brother, Father Patrick Flanagan, in Omaha, Nebraska. His sister Nellie helped take care of him.
He then continued his studies in Rome, Italy. He lived at the Almo Collegio Capranica and took classes at Gregorian University. In the winter of 1908, he returned to Omaha because of his health. He took a job working with numbers at a company called Cudahy Packing.
The next autumn, Flanagan went back to Europe. He studied at the University of Innsbruck in Austria. He became a priest there in 1912.
After returning to the U.S., his first job was as an assistant priest. He worked at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill, Nebraska. He then moved to St. Patrick's Church in Omaha. He helped people after a big tornado hit in March 1913. In 1916, Father Flanagan started a shelter for workers who had no home. He became a U.S. citizen in 1919.
Founding Boys Town
Father Flanagan cared deeply about children who were struggling. In 1917, he opened a home in Omaha for boys who had no place to live. The local Bishop, Jeremiah James Harty, was unsure at first. But he supported Father Flanagan's idea to house and educate these boys.
The first home in downtown Omaha was too small. So, in 1921, Father Flanagan started Boys Town. It was built ten miles west of Omaha. Under his leadership, Boys Town grew into a large community. It had its own boy-mayor, schools, a church, a post office, and homes for the boys.
Boys between 10 and 16 years old could live there. They received an education and learned useful skills. Father Flanagan did not believe in strict reform schools. He thought they were too harsh. He famously said, "there's no such thing as a bad boy."
Boys Town on the Big Screen
Father Flanagan's work became very well known. This was especially true after the 1938 movie Boys Town was released. The movie was made by MGM. Spencer Tracy played Father Flanagan, and Mickey Rooney played one of the boys. Father Flanagan was able to read the movie script before filming began. Some parts of the movie were even filmed at Boys Town itself.
Spencer Tracy won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role. In his acceptance speech, he spoke about Father Flanagan. He said, "If you have seen him through me, then I thank you." An Oscar statue, with a special message from Tracy to Father Flanagan, was also given to Boys Town.
Later Years and International Work
Father Flanagan served on many groups and boards. These groups worked to help children. He also wrote articles about child welfare. By the 1940s, he was known around the world.
In 1946, Father Flanagan visited the Republic of Ireland. He was shocked by the poor conditions in children's homes there. He called them "a national disgrace." When his comments were published, Irish newspapers criticized him. Even the Irish government spoke against him.
General Douglas MacArthur was in charge of the Allied forces in Japan. He invited Father Flanagan to Japan and Korea in 1947. He wanted Father Flanagan to give advice on how to help children there. The next year, he also asked Father Flanagan to visit Austria and Germany. Father Flanagan traveled there in 1948 to see the conditions.
While in Germany, Father Flanagan had a heart attack and died on May 15, 1948. His body was brought back to the United States. He is buried at the Dowd Memorial Chapel in Boys Town, Nebraska.
Becoming a Saint: Canonization Process
On February 25, 2012, the Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha started the process to make Father Flanagan a saint. This process is called canonization.
On March 17, 2012, during a prayer service at Boys Town, he was given the title "Servant of God." This is the first of four titles given during the process to become a Catholic saint. The local investigation finished in June 2015. It included collecting information about possible miracles. The results were then sent to the Vatican.
Legacy and Honors
- Father Flanagan received many awards for his work. He helped boys who were homeless or had problems.
- In 1937, Pope Pius XI gave him the title Right Reverend Monsignor.
- In 1986, the United States Postal Service honored him with a 4¢ postage stamp.
- Father Flanagan is a member of the Nebraska Hall of Fame.
- There is a statue of Father Edward J. Flanagan in Ballymoe, County Galway, Ireland.
In Movies
- Spencer Tracy starred in Boys Town (1938). The movie was inspired by Father Flanagan's life and work. Mickey Rooney played one of the boys. After Tracy won an Oscar, MGM gave another Oscar statue to Father Flanagan at Boys Town. It had a special message from Spencer Tracy written on it.
- The movie Men of Boys Town (1941) was a sequel. Spencer Tracy also starred in this film.
See also
In Spanish: Edward J. Flanagan para niños
