Deputy National Chaplain Fr. Colm Mitchell I imagine by the time this issue of the Digest is sent out, we will be into the Easter season. As Irishmen, Easter has two distinct but important meanings for us. First and foremost, it is the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. Secondly, it is when we commemorate those who gave their lives for Irish Freedom. Again, the most important thing we celebrate on Easter is our Lord’s Resurrection. This is his … [Read more...] about Deputy National Chaplain Update – May 2025
The Chaplain’s Corner
The Jubilee Year ‘Pilgrims of Hope’: A Reflection for the Ancient Order of Hibernians
The Jubilee Year theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ resonates profoundly with the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH). As members of this storied organization, we are called to reflect on our shared history, values, and mission in the context of hope—a hope deeply rooted in faith, heritage, and service. The concept of a pilgrimage reflects a journey, both physical and spiritual. For the AOH, this journey is steeped in the traditions of our Irish Catholic ancestors, who endured trials with unwavering faith. Like them, we are tasked with carrying the torch of hope, grounded in the principles of … [Read more...] about The Jubilee Year ‘Pilgrims of Hope’: A Reflection for the Ancient Order of Hibernians
A Message From Fr. Colm Mitchell
A chairde, Is mise an tAthair Colm Mitchell. Is Sagart Chicago mé. My name is Father Colm Mitchell I am a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and am honored to serve as the Deputy National Chaplain. I was ordained in 2022 and I currently serve as Associate Pastor at St Alexander Parish in Palos Heights, IL in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. I have been a Hibernian since 2015 when I joined Chicago Division 32 as a seminarian. I also serve as Illinois State Board Chaplain and State Freedom For All Ireland Chair. My Irish roots go back to my grandparents from Cavan and Derry on my … [Read more...] about A Message From Fr. Colm Mitchell
Respect Life Month – October 2022
As we enter the month of October, designated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as Respect Life Month, with Sunday, October 2 designated Respect Life Sunday, perhaps it might benefit all of us if we were to look at the Church’s teaching regarding what it means to respect life and what it actually means to be pro-life. This is especially important in light of media coverage, which often even refuses to consider who we are as pro-life, focusing instead on our stance against abortion. The Church’s teaching on the dignity of human life is rooted in scripture, with the passage … [Read more...] about Respect Life Month – October 2022
As we enter the Season of Lent – What does it mean to be Blessed?
What does it mean to be blessed? There are some in our society who would try to tell us that one who is blessed by God can demonstrate these blessings materially—through possessions, money, power, or influence. There are even some so called Christians who try to promote a Gospel of affluence. They tell us that the way to measure someone’s blessings is to look at the size of their home, the brand of car they drive, what kind of clothing they wear, and where and what they choose to eat. A few weeks ago, on the 6 th Sunday in Ordinary time, we were confronted with the difficult words of Jesus … [Read more...] about As we enter the Season of Lent – What does it mean to be Blessed?
Chaplain’s Corner – Advent 2021
St. John the BaptistOrthodox icon of the Byzantine style. Being named John, I have many saints to call upon to intercede for me as I struggle to navigate my way through life in this world. When I was younger, I would often focus my efforts on asking St. John the Evangelist, the Beloved Disciple, to intercede for me. And while I knew that St. John the Baptist was just as important, in fact, the very one of whom Jesus said that “no greater man born of woman” has ever lived, I so often kept him at arm’s length. I’m not sure why I shied away from John the Baptist. Maybe it was his reputation … [Read more...] about Chaplain’s Corner – Advent 2021
The Chaplain’s Corner
This past weekend, my parish was visited by a priest from Nigeria for our annual Mission Appeal. While this annual appeal is something every parish in the United States is expected to take part in each year, I have learned from experience that it can sometimes be difficult, whether due to the heavy accent of the speaker, the logistics involved with travel and housing, ensuring that nothing else is happening in the parish that weekend which would take attention away from appeal itself, and of course the fact that so often the person preaching the appeal is unaware of time constraints associate … [Read more...] about The Chaplain’s Corner
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Christians, praise the paschal victim!Offer thankful sacrifice!Christ the Lamb has saved the sheep,Christ the just one paid the price,Reconciling sinners to the Father.Death and life fought bitterlyFor this wondrous victory;The Lord of Life who died reigns glorified!Easter SequenceRoman Rite, Eleventh Century “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad, alleluia!” This the day which follows the night of nights, the mother of all vigils. This is the day of our salvation, in which we celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, of love over hatred, of life over death. … [Read more...] about Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
As We Prepare to Enter the Season of Lent
The season of Lent begins tomorrow, February 17 with the observance of Ash Wednesday, a day of abstinence from meat for all Catholics and a day of fasting for all Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 except for those who are exempt for reasons of health. But do we really understand what it means to fast and to abstain? While the letter of the law is very clear, the spirit of the law is often misconstrued. For example, eating lobster on a Friday during Lent certainly fulfills the letter of the law. But I would suggest that it violates the spirit of the law. Rather, we can learn from the … [Read more...] about As We Prepare to Enter the Season of Lent
The Feast of Epiphany—New Year and New Beginnings
Today is December 26, the Second Day of Christmas and the Feast of Saint Stephen. As I write this article for the January newsletter, it is a frigid 14 degrees. The snow, which began falling around 4:00 PM on Christmas eve, was still coming down when I went to bed last night. It drifted over night, blown about by a strong, cold wind. My fear, up until the last few days before Christmas, was that so many of the faithful would show up for our Christmas Masses that we would not be able to welcome them safely with the pandemic protocols in place. That fear was replaced early on Christmas Eve with … [Read more...] about The Feast of Epiphany—New Year and New Beginnings
Our Lady of Knock
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
Chaplain’s Corner Fall 2017
It is a pleasure and a privilege to write this first greeting to the members of our Order. Our president, Judge Jim McKay, has invited me to serve as National Chaplain and it is an honor to do so. By way of explanation, my last name “Rodi” may not seem Irish, and it is not. However, in an attempt to mollify any misgivings, allow me to state that my paternal grandmother’s maiden name was Merrick (County Mayo) and my mother’s maiden name was Kevlin (County Sligo). I look forward to greeting the members of our Order at our national meeting. I saw the members of the Board of our Order, led by … [Read more...] about Chaplain’s Corner Fall 2017
A Chaplain’s Farewell
Sisters and Brothers, Hibernians one and all, God Bless You and Keep You! As I have been preparing for my new assignment in Austria, I had the privilege of representing our National Board alongside Brother Daniel O’Connell at the Ohio State Convention. I wish to report to all of you that the Ohio LAOH and AOH are continuing the wonderful Celtic tradition of Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. The convention was a great opportunity for fellowship and faith. The Hibernians of Ohio recommitted themselves to the order and a grand time was had by all. As I am concluding my service to all of … [Read more...] about A Chaplain’s Farewell
Brothers and Sisters in Christ …
Brothers and Sisters in Christ. May the Lord Bless You and Keep You. I greet you in the name of our Beloved Patron Saint, Patrick of Ireland. Our Church provides so many wonderful opportunities for us, her children, to grow in grace. One of the most wonderful is the fact that our Church Year, what we call the Liturgical Year, has seasons. The seasons mark not only the passage of time, as our secular seasons of Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall do, but they reflect the Paschal Mystery. We have been celebrating for the past 5 weeks, the Easter season. The week that fell between Palm Sunday and … [Read more...] about Brothers and Sisters in Christ …
this joyous day, the Feast Day of our Beloved Patron Saint, Patrick of Ireland…
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ. I greet you on this joyous day, the Feast Day of our Beloved Patron Saint, Patrick of Ireland. I pray that you are being blessed this day through a good and jubilant celebration. I am preparing to celebrate Mass at noon her at Franciscan University for the intention of the many members of my family, living and deceased, who share the name of Patrick. It is one of the most precious gifts that I received from my ordination: the ability to offer the most awesome celebration of Christ’s Paschal Mystery for those whom I love. I share this with you because I … [Read more...] about this joyous day, the Feast Day of our Beloved Patron Saint, Patrick of Ireland…
Blessings to all Hibernians, near and far,
Blessings to all Hibernians, near and far. Mea Culpa, I am a little late with my corner this month. The semester here at Franciscan University of Steubenville has been going full steam and I have been running to try and catch up. It is such a blessing to be assigned here with my Franciscan brothers to witness our students on Fire for their Catholic faith. Jesus prayed in Luke’s Gospel,“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Luke 12:49) And here on our campus, that fire is being kindled, praise God. Fire is tied to the topic I wish to present to you … [Read more...] about Blessings to all Hibernians, near and far,
Merry Christmas to you all!
My Brothers in Christ, Merry Christmas to you all! I want you to know that during this most Blessed of Seasons, you and your loved ones will be in my prayers as I remember you in my Masses. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas to you all!
The Chaplain's Corner
Greetings Brothers. I pray the Lord is Blessing you this day. This my first Chaplain’s Corner for our national website. I have experienced a great deal of pleasure over the years sharing our Catholic faith as a Hibernian Chaplain on both my division’s website and the Virginia State Board’s website. I think our websites are great venues for us to share our faith journey. And it is a wonderful opportunity for me to be able to fulfill my pledge to serve you as one of your deputy national chaplains. We are at the beginning of a New Liturgical Year. Happy New Year! We begin this new year with … [Read more...] about The Chaplain's Corner