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We are proud to share that Pope Leo XIV has declared Father Flanagan Venerable, a defining moment in his journey toward sainthood. This title recognizes that Father Flanagan lived a life of heroic virtue, and brings him one step closer to being recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. We are grateful for all who have supported and advocated alongside us on this journey.
A Brief Look at Father Flanagan's Life
Edward J. Flanagan's life began as something of a miracle. Born prematurely in a stone cottage in 1886, he was not expected to live through the night. Refusing to give up, his grandfather Patrick held him all night, keeping him warm and praying over him.
Young Eddie grew up on a farm in Ireland, always knowing that he wanted to be a priest. Suffering ill health as a young man, it took him two tries at seminary before he was healthy enough to be ordained.
But rough beginnings did not deter his will to serve God. During his 61 years of life, Father Flanagan of Boys Town changed the lives of countless at-risk boys in America and eventually the lives of orphans around the world, offering children the second chance that society had denied them.
Stress and overwork often led to ill health for Father Flanagan, yet he always put the needs of children ahead of his own. During the 1920s and 1930s, Father Flanagan faced opposition, yet he resolutely stood by his promise that Boys Town would accept any boy in need.
After World War II, President Truman asked Father Flanagan to visit Japan and Germany to advise on what should be done to support the orphans of war. During his visit to Germany in 1948, Father Flanagan died while serving the children to whom he devoted his life's work. Because of his lifelong devotion to God and his tremendous impact, Father Flanagan is currently on the path to Sainthood, and has most recently been declared Venerable by Pope Leo XIV.
How One Man's Vision Still Guides Boys Town
Today, we want you to meet Father Flanagan himself, the man who has created this new way of dealing with youth. Thank you, Sam, and good afternoon, everyone. Twenty-five years ago, there was a terrible drought in the Middle West. That winter, I saw the streets of Omaha filled with unemployed men. Men who were out in the cold, men who were hungry and had no place to sleep. I opened a shelter for them. But soon I learned that many of these men sought an idle life rather than a life of work.
I learned that many of them had been homeless in their youth. And that gave me the idea that it would be better to work with boys, homeless, neglected boys, who could still be turned into good American citizens. I've always hated the cruel system that neglects boys until they're forced into breaking the law, and then fails to solve the problem by putting them in reformatories. From my experience, I have learned that reformatories do not reform, because you can't reform a boy behind bars. I never thought these boys needed reforming. But they did need a home, love, care, and education, and every chance to become worthwhile citizens like privileged boys. I've always believed that no boy wanted to be bad.
No boy needed reforming. If only adult society gave him half a chance. I am proud that thousands of these boys have already been given a new start in Boys Town. And that not one of them has ever disproved the belief that is closest to my heart, that there is no such thing as a bad boy.
Get to Know Father Flanagan
Father Flanagan was a true visionary of his time. His dream and our founding principles are alive today, and are as relevant and applicable as they were when Boys Town first opened its doors more than a century ago. Get to know more about the man who founded Boys Town in this 5-day email series featuring photos and messages of insight and inspiration.