Commemoration of Local Saints, Blesseds, Venerables and Servants of God
Commemoration of Local Saints, Blesseds, Venerables and Servants of God
November 9, 2025
8:00am
This new liturgical celebration, requested by Pope Francis in November 2024, remembers those people who causes for canonization have been opened, but who are not yet beatified (called "Blessed N.") or canonized (called "Saint N.").
Pope Francis made this request to “honor these figures of holiness” and to “perpetuate the memory of extraordinary disciples of Christ who have left a living mark of the presence of the Risen Lord and who are still sure guides today in the common path towards God, protecting and supporting us.” This celebration begins this year and will continue into the future.
Our Local Cause:
In 2012, the cause for canonization was opened for Servant of God, Father Edward Joseph Flanagan. The Archdiocese of Omaha, is blessed to have the memory and example of Fr. Flanagan, who lived from 1886-1948. Born in Ireland, he moved to the USA in 1904 and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Omaha in 1912. He served at St. Patrick Parish in O’Neill and St. Patrick Parish in Omaha before founding Boys Town in 1921. He served there faithfully until his death in 1948. More information, including devotional materials, can be obtained from the Father Flanagan League Society of Devotion at fatherflanagan.org
Since Fr. Flanagan is not yet beatified or canonized, the Church
carries out no public prayers for his intercession, as we do with the
Saints and Blesseds. However, individuals are free and encouraged to
seek his intercession. Should healings happen by his intercession, all
people are encouraged to communicate those to the archbishop,
since three verified healings are needed for eventual canonization.
carries out no public prayers for his intercession, as we do with the
Saints and Blesseds. However, individuals are free and encouraged to
seek his intercession. Should healings happen by his intercession, all
people are encouraged to communicate those to the archbishop,
since three verified healings are needed for eventual canonization.
Fr. Flanagan’s tomb is located inside of Immaculate Conception
Church (Dowd Chapel) in Boys Town, NE. The church and tomb are
beautiful and a perfect place for a family visit. Fr. Flanagan spent his
life in service of God, filled with the conviction, as he said, that “The
poor, innocent, unfortunate little children belong to us, and it is our
problem to give them every chance to develop into good men and
good women.” After Masses on Tuesdays at Boys Town, there are prayers at the tomb. All are welcome.In 2024, a documentary on Fr. Flanagan was released. It is called “Heart of a Servant: The Father Flanagan Story”. It is available for streaming rental or purchase on Amazon Prime Video.This year, let’s give thanks to God for the great witness of Fr. Flanagan for the Church in northeast Nebraska and the whole world!
Church (Dowd Chapel) in Boys Town, NE. The church and tomb are
beautiful and a perfect place for a family visit. Fr. Flanagan spent his
life in service of God, filled with the conviction, as he said, that “The
poor, innocent, unfortunate little children belong to us, and it is our
problem to give them every chance to develop into good men and
good women.” After Masses on Tuesdays at Boys Town, there are prayers at the tomb. All are welcome.In 2024, a documentary on Fr. Flanagan was released. It is called “Heart of a Servant: The Father Flanagan Story”. It is available for streaming rental or purchase on Amazon Prime Video.This year, let’s give thanks to God for the great witness of Fr. Flanagan for the Church in northeast Nebraska and the whole world!
Commemoration of Local Saints, Blesseds, Venerables and Servants of God
November 9, 2025
8:00am