The Ancient Order of Hibernians

The Oldest and Largest Irish-Catholic Organization in the United States. Established 1836

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Our Lady of Knock

Our Lady of Knock

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As I write this on this eve of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known affectionately in the English speaking world as Our Lady’s Day in August, and just a week from the Feast of Our Lady of Knock on August 21, our attention as Catholics of Irish descent naturally turns toward our Blessed Mother and her role in this history of our salvation. I first visited Knock in April of 2013 with my cousin Christine.  We were in Ireland for the first time and used a bed and breakfast in Knock as our base of operations while combing the countryside doing family … [Read more...] about Our Lady of Knock

Hartford Division 2 Holds Christmas Toy/Gift Card Drive

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Hartford Division 2 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians held a successful Toy/Gift Card Drive on December 6 and 7, 2025. Several carloads of toys were collected in addition to over $500 worth of gift cards. The collection took place at Christ the King Parish in Wethersfield and at the Breakfast With Santa at the Irish-American Home Society in Glastonbury.  The drive benefitted The Giving Tree Project at Saint Augustine Parish in the south end of Hartford. The generosity of those that donated will make Christmas brighter for many families in Connecticut’s capital city. Hartford AOH … [Read more...] about Hartford Division 2 Holds Christmas Toy/Gift Card Drive

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Newly Inaugurated Irish President Catherine Connolly.

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Sean Pender, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), America’s oldest and largest Irish Catholic organization, issued a statement today offering congratulations and best wishes to newly inaugurated Irish President Catherine Connolly" Dear President Connolly, On behalf of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, I extend our warmest congratulations on your inauguration as the 10th President of Ireland. Your resounding victory, winning 63.4% of first-preference votes, the highest share ever in a contested Irish presidential election, speaks to the deep confidence … [Read more...] about Congratulations and Best Wishes to Newly Inaugurated Irish President Catherine Connolly.

Standing for Life and True Choice

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The National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, has issued a statement regarding a proposed facility in Hudson County capable of performing abortions through all stages of pregnancy. It's morally indefensible that abortions of viable children could occur while nearby, infants of identical gestational age embrace life in NICUs. Our laws and conscience cannot remain divided on whether the value of a child's life, or any life, depends solely on whether he or she is wanted or is convenient to others. Any society that adopts such a standard places itself on a slippery slope, … [Read more...] about Standing for Life and True Choice

US Navy 250

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Honoring Commodore John Barry aboard the USS New Jersey As America commemorates 250 years of naval service, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies AOH proudly honor Commodore John Barry—Irish immigrant, American patriot, and the first commissioned officer of the United States Navy. About the Exhibit We have launched a dedicated exhibit aboard the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial that brings Barry’s story to life—his courage in the struggle for independence, his leadership at sea, and his enduring example of faith, duty, and service. The display is slated to run … [Read more...] about US Navy 250

Celebrating the Month of the Holy Rosary

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Dear Brothers, The month of October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. On October 7th, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in honor of the Blessed Mother. October was also the month in which Mary appeared for the last time to shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, urging them to "say the rosary every day to obtain peace for the world. Say a rosary to Our Lady today!  Your prayers will not go unanswered! May Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary pray for us now and forever! In our motto, James Russell Catholic Action … [Read more...] about Celebrating the Month of the Holy Rosary

Feast Day of St. Francis Reflection – 2025

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Dear Brothers, Peace and all good!  This is how St. Francis would greet his brothers. On Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, we celebrate the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Blessed with vast spiritual insight, Francis’ love for Christ permeated every aspect of his life and showed through in everything he said and did. What better time than his feast day to reflect on this beautiful expression of St. Francis’ guide for living and to think about how each of us can show our love of Christ through everything we say and do each day. Are we understanding of others? Do we strive to forgive … [Read more...] about Feast Day of St. Francis Reflection – 2025

AOH America 250

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Honoring Irish America’s Role in Building the United States In 2026, the United States marks 250 years of independence.From the very beginning, Irish Americans were there—soldiers in Washington’s army, leaders in politics, builders of cities, and servants of community. The Ancient Order of Hibernians carries that legacy forward in faith, culture, and charity. Our Story For generations, Irish immigrants and their descendants helped shape America. They dug canals and built railroads, raised churches and schools, and filled the ranks of the military, police, and fire services. … [Read more...] about AOH America 250

Saturday October 25th, 2025

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CU CHULLAIN CELTIC WARRIOR (NY) MDTat ARCHBISHOP HUGHES CENTER ARCHBISHOP HUGHES CENTER 32 Prince StreetNew York, NY 10012 Directly across the street from the Basilica of Old St Patrick’s Cathedral Host: New York County Board Contact: Bill Lee To obtain an accurate headcount for food, refreshments and hall rental, we ask that Division Presidents contact your membership and provide a list of each member attending the Degree. Please contact the New York County Board at aohnycountyboard@gmail.com or William Lee with your list of attendees by October 17th. Seating is limited. … [Read more...] about Saturday October 25th, 2025

AOH Condemns Minneapolis Church Attack, Demands Action on Anti-Catholic Violence

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[New York, NY 08/28/2025] – The Ancient Order of Hibernians condemns in the strongest possible terms the horrific act of hate that took the lives of two innocent children and left many others wounded during Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. No American should ever face violence while practicing their faith. Our first thoughts and prayers are with the families who have suffered the unthinkable loss of their children, and with the parish community of Annunciation, whose sanctuary was violated and desecrated in the very act of worship. This must never … [Read more...] about AOH Condemns Minneapolis Church Attack, Demands Action on Anti-Catholic Violence

Our Lady of Knock

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Feast Day: Sunday, August 17 th , 2025 The apparition in County Mayo in Ireland of Our Lady of Knock is reported to have occurred on the evening of August 21, 1879, the vigil of the octave of the feast of the Assumption. Those who witnessed the miracle ranged in age from five years old to seventy-five. The apparition was described as follows: “Our Lady was wearing a large, brilliant crown and clothed in white garments. On her right was Saint Joseph, his head inclined toward her and on her left Saint John the Evangelist. To the left of Saint John was an altar on which stood a cross and a … [Read more...] about Our Lady of Knock

THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

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Friday, August 15, 2025 Celebrated every year on August 15th, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is important to many Catholics and Orthodox Christians as the day that Mary was received into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. This is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year; please stop into a Church to pray during the day to honor our Blessed Mother on this special day.  Can you imagine what a moment the Assumption must have been for Mary! In describing the scene, some Church Fathers spoke of Jesus Himself coming back to Earth to take His mother and bring … [Read more...] about THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

AOH Division 17 Serves 1,400 Meals at St. Anthony’s Dining Room

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The AOH Division 17 was well represented on Saturday July 26th at St. Anthony’s Dining Room, located in the heart of the Tenderloin at 121 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco. Members helped prepare and deliver more than 1,400 meals to those in need. This effort is part of the organization’s ongoing outreach to support vulnerable members of the community with compassion and service. Photographed in St. Anthony’s Dining Hall are John O’Rourke, Roger Gargano, John Lynch, Micheal Keohane, Aron Valentine, Mike Crehan, President Edward Reidy, Sean Flynn, Steven Murray and Mike Moran. … [Read more...] about AOH Division 17 Serves 1,400 Meals at St. Anthony’s Dining Room

2025 Greater Hartford Irish Road Bowling Tournament

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The Ancient Order of Hibernians Hartford Division 2 held the 2025 Greater Hartford Irish Road Bowling Tournament on Saturday, July 12. This year’s tournament was held in a new venue this year - A.W. Stanley Park in New Britain. The event benefited the Recreation Assistance Program for the City of New Britain, which assists families in sending their children to camps and other programs, and AOH Hartford’s fight against hunger. This was the fifth consecutive year that AOH Hartford sponsored the tournament and the championship trophy is named in honor of departed Brother Jamie Forzono, who … [Read more...] about 2025 Greater Hartford Irish Road Bowling Tournament

SC Hibernians Honor our Veterans in Washington, DC

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Shortly after Memorial Day, Brothers from South Carolina and Georgia laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, DC. The ceremony concluded a weekend (June 6-8th) of family fun and sightseeing that included attendance at Dropkick Murphy's Rally for Veterans on the National Mall, visits to several Smithsonian Museums, and a private tour of the the White House and US Capitol building coordinated by SC Senator Lindsay Graham's congressional staff.  To conclude the weekend, the travel party which included State Vice President Greg … [Read more...] about SC Hibernians Honor our Veterans in Washington, DC

Justice Not Sympathy for Sean Brown

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“We don’t need sympathy we need justice” said a visibly angry Clare Brown Loughran, as she described how British Secretary Hilary Benn, who feigns sympathy for her mother Bridie Brown, lodged papers to take the case to the London Supreme Court without even notifying the family or its lawyers. She spoke in a live webinar broadcast, hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) on Saturday May 31 st . Other panelists included another victim’s relative Roisin Read, Ciaran Madden representing the Irish government, and Daniel Holder of the Committee for the Administration of Justice. DAIL … [Read more...] about Justice Not Sympathy for Sean Brown

FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD: THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025

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The Ascension of Our Lord, which occurred 40 days after Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter, is the final act of our redemption that began on Good Friday. The Feast takes place ten days before Pentecost; thus taking on a special anticipation of the gift of the Holy Spirit. It does not commemorate a departure. Oh, no! It celebrates a presence and a promise:I am with you always, even to the end of time. Jesus is with us at all times and in all places. This sentence is the core of our faith. During the 40 days before the Ascension, Jesus continues to fortify our faith. He appears … [Read more...] about FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD: THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025