Father Flanagan: Life, Boys Town & Path to Sainthood

Venerable Father Edward J. Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town, was formally recognized by Pope Leo XIV on March 23, 2026, for his “heroic virtues,” a significant step toward potential sainthood, according to the Archdiocese of Omaha.

Born in Ballymoe, County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1886, Flanagan immigrated to the United States in 1904. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Omaha in 1912, and began serving in the diocese the following year. His work focused on providing care and opportunity for vulnerable youth.

Flanagan established his first Home for Boys in December 1917, responding to a growing require for support services for boys facing hardship. In 1921, he acquired Overlook Farm to accommodate the increasing number of boys under his care. Throughout his lifetime, he directly assisted more than 6,000 young people, and his model inspired the creation of 89 similar programs worldwide.

Today, Boys Town continues Flanagan’s mission, providing direct and indirect care to approximately 1.4 million youth and families each year. The organization’s impact extends far beyond its Nebraska origins, offering a range of services designed to address the complex needs of children, and families.

Archbishop Michael G. McGovern of Omaha described Flanagan as having “made such an impression on the hearts of people, Catholic and non-Catholic, that people still speak of him with pride and a sense of reverence, even,” according to a statement released by OSV News.

The process for Flanagan’s canonization was initiated in 2012, when he was initially declared a “Servant of God.” Documentation supporting his cause was submitted to the Vatican, culminating in the March 23rd decree recognizing his virtues as “venerable.”

Flanagan’s work gained widespread recognition, notably through the 1938 film “Boys Town,” starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney, which brought his innovative approach to youth care to an international audience. Following World War II, he was invited by General Douglas MacArthur to visit Japan, Korea, Austria, and Germany to advise on improving conditions for children in the occupied countries.