1917-1948

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The Fr. Flanagan Program show 1 of the award winning series produced by T. Scott Marr

The Archdiocese of Omaha will soon begin the process of determining whether Father Edward Flanagan should be declared a saint. Father Flanagan, the Boys Town founder who died in 1948, dedicated much of his life ministering to orphans and troubled youth.

At the request of the Father Flanagan League Society of Devotion (FFLSD), Archbishop George Lucas has accepted responsibility for the beatification process.

“For years many in the Omaha community and beyond have venerated the memory of Father Edward Flanagan,” Lucas said. “I am happy that we can begin the process of examining the holiness that was apparent in his life and
ministry, to see if he might be canonized.”

Before the cause can officially open, a public notice must be placed on the
doors of St. Cecilia Cathedral for a period of two weeks. This notice alerts the general public that the cause will be opened for Father Flanagan, and it invites the public to share their thoughts with the tribunal in charge of the cause. Archbishop Lucas will place the notice on the Cathedral doors February 27 at 10:00 a.m.

The archdiocese will mark the formal opening March 17 9:00 a.m. with a
prayer service at Immaculate Conception Church (Boys Town), with Archbishop Lucas, Father Steve Boes, national executive director of Boys Town, and other Catholic dignitaries participating. At the prayer service, Father Flanagan will be officially named a “Servant of God.”

Taken from the Boystown Website:
“Father Edward J. Flanagan is the founder and visionary for what’s known today as Boys Town. He had a dream that every child could be a productive citizen if given love, a home, an education and a trade. He accepted boys of every race, color and creed. Father Flanagan firmly believed, “There are no bad boys. There is only bad environment, bad training, bad example, bad thinking.”

Father Flanagan was born on July 13, 1886, in County Roscommon, Ireland. In 1904, he set sail for the United States. Following his ordination in 1912, Father Flanagan was assigned to the Diocese of Omaha. On December 12, 1917, Father Flanagan opened his first Boys’ Home in a run-down Victorian mansion in downtown Omaha. In 1921, the Boys’ Home moved to Overlook Farm, its present location near 139th and West Dodge Road. Father Flanagan and Boys Town became internationally known with the help of the 1938 movie, “Boys Town.” He became an acknowledged expert in the field of child care, and toured the United States discussing his views on juvenile delinquency.”

“There are no bad boys. There is only bad environment, bad training, bad example, bad thinking.”

“When parents fail to do their job, when they allow their children to run the streets and keep bad company, when they fail to provide them with good examples in the home, then the parents and not the children are delinquent.”

“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.”

“Without God at the beginning, there can be only confusion at the end.”

“A true religious training for children is most essential if we are to expect to develop them into good men and good women – worthy citizens of our great country.”

“No race that does not take care of its young can hope to survive – or deserves to survive.”

“Our country needs good men and good women who have learned to love God above all things, and their fellow man for the love of God.”