True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: May 2014
Depot's RCMP Chaplain Archbishop Michael C. O'Neill
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
Archbishop Michael O'Neill was born in Kemptville, ON in 1898. He successfully graduated from high school and shortly afterwards, he answered Canada's call at the outbreak of WWI. Although it remained a secret, he served with great distinction overseas in the Canadian Forces.
After WWI, he took advantage of a Soldier's Benefit Grant which enabled him to attend St. Michael's College, Toronto, ON.
Meanwhile, at some point in his early life, the idea of serving God for a life time had been planted in his mind. The seed of service pushed him on to graduate -- first from St. Michael's College and then from St. Augustine's Seminary also in Toronto, ON.
Father Michael O'Neill was ordained to the priesthood on December 21, 1927. Afterwards, his superiors dispatched him to western Canada.
Father O'Neill's first assignment was as a professor at St. Joseph's Seminary, Edmonton, AB. He remained at St. Joe's until the outbreak of WWII. In 1939, he volunteered for overseas duty as Military Chaplain. He came home in 1946 at the rank of Colonel and as the Chief, Roman Catholic Chaplain in the Canadian Forces Overseas.
After WWII, he was appointed Rector of St. Joseph's Cathedral in Edmonton, AB and soon afterwards he was appointed Archbishop of Regina, SK in 1947.
In May 1973, Archbishop O'Neill celebrated 25 years as a Bishop. He had also attained his 75th birthday so he was allowed to retire. After his retirement, Archbishop O'Neill accepted to become the RCMP's first RC Chaplain at 'Depot'.
I had the honour to first meet Archbishop O'Neill in September, 1973. While I was posted to 'Depot' from 1973 to 1976, I met him each Sunday morning for mass in the Chapel. We became fast friends and I always admired him. He was very, very calm and dependable and he enjoyed mixing with the recruits and staff at 'Depot'.
I considered Archbishop O'Neill a trustworthy confident. In his presence, one did not have to measure each word nor worry if the conversation might affect one's career. He was a true man of God and truly a man's man. He made my experiences at 'Depot all the more memorable.
Few if anyone knew that during WWII Archbishop O'Neill had been decorated with the Military Medal for Bravery. He died at age 85 years on June 10, 1983.
Throughout his life, Archbishop O'Neill asked for very little. That was the way of his priesthood -- he served with all faithfullness -- God and Canada. At the moment of his death, his final transfer took him north out over the Canadian Arctic and up to heaven. I would consider that flight path to be a sure bet.
Good-bye, good, faithful and loyal friend.
From the Fort,
J. J. Healy
May 23, 2014
Appreciation: Parts of the story above were summarized from the Archdiocese of Regina, SK website:
http://archregina.sk.ca/archives-records/archbishop-oneill
