Born on May 1, 1888 to John and Ellen in Ann Arbor Michigan, John Dillon O’Hara was the fourth of ten children. After his confirmation, he would go by John Francis after his patron St. Francis de Sales.[1] His family moved to South America when he was a child, living in both Peru and Uruguay. Returning to the United States in 1908, John attended the University of Notre Dame and soon after graduating entered Holy Cross Seminary in 1912.[2]
Soon he returned to Notre Dame as a faculty member, becoming Prefect of Religion and Dean of the College of Commerce. In 1934 he was named the twelfth president of the University of Norte Dame. After 6 years as head of the university, John was consecrated as a bishop and was appointed to lead the Apostolic Delegate for the United States Armed Forces. On V - E Day in 1945, he was installed as the Bishop of Buffalo where he remained for the next 6 years.[3]
O’Hara was appointed head of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Nov 24, 1951. At the time it was the one of largest dioceses in the county, with over a million Catholics, 2,000 priests, and 7,000 nuns.[4] While he waited for the date of his installation, O’Hara was hard at work preparing for the transition, meeting with administers form the archdiocese, such as Bishop Lamb, on numerous occasions.[5]
Once the time for the installation came in January of 1952, Bishop O’Hara boarded a train to his new episcopal see. Along the way, the train made stops in Allentown and Bethlehem (then part of the Archdiocese). In both cities, the new archbishop was greeted with much fanfare, with the local Catholic High bands playing upon his arrival and receptions held in his honor.[6] Once the train made it to Philadelphia the day before the installation, O’Hara was greeted by Governor John Fine and Mayor Joseph Clark.[7]
The installation was held on Wednesday January 9th at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, with over 100 archbishops, bishops, and abbots attending the event.[8] At his installation, O’Hara spoke of the great work and reputation that the Archdiocese had acquired under past bishops and archbishops. He finished his homily by declaring “I have no program to announce, no theme to preach but the love of God,” and that “working together, with the assistance of God’s grace, we can help one another save our souls.”[9]
A reception was held at the Conventional Hall the following night with over 15,000 people attending. Judge Vincent Carroll gave the formal welcome speech where he declared that O’Hara would be a “symbol of the only thing of value remaining in this world of rapid change: Faith.”[10] Under O’Hara’s leadership the faith of the archdiocese was indeed deepened, with a great focus on education. In total, 61 new parish schools, 14 high schools, 4 specialty schools, and two colleges would open under his 9 years as Archbishop.[11]
O’Hara would receive the red hat on December 15, 1958, becoming the first member of the Congregation of Holy Cross to be raised to the College of Cardinals as well as more generally the first religious from the United States to do so.[12] One August 28, 1960, at the age of 72 he passed away and returned once more to his beloved Notre Dame where he was buried at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.[13]
[1] McAvoy, Thomas, Father O’Hara of Notre Dame: The Cardinal-Archbishop of Philadelphia, (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1967),
[2] “Official Press Book Elevation and Investiture His Eminence John Cardinal O’Hara, C.S.C,” (Philadelphia: Catholic Standard and Times: 1958)
[3] McAvoy, Thomas, Father O’Hara of Notre Dame: The Cardinal-Archbishop of Philadelphia, (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1967)
[4] “Catholics Install Archbishop O’Hara In Solemn Ceremony at Cathedral,” Scrapbook 2016.026
[5] “Official Press Book Elevation and Investiture His Eminence John Cardinal O’Hara, C.S.C,” (Philadelphia: Catholic Standard and Times: 1958)
[6] “Church Bells Greet New Archbishop,” Scrapbook 2016.026
[7] “Letter to Vincent Carroll, from Bishop J. Carroll McCormick,” 12/28/1951, MC79 91.275
[8] “Ceremony of Installation of His Excellency the Most Reverend John Francis O’Hara, C.S.C.” (Philadelphia: 1952)
[9] John Francis O’Hara, “Installation,” January 9, 1952, MC79 91.275
[10] “Remarks of Judge Vincent A Carroll at Civic Reception to Most Reverend Archbishop John Francis O’Hara,” January 10, 1952, MC79 90.164c
[11] “Beloved Cardinal Archbishop,” Catholic Standard and Times, September 2, 1960.
[12] “Official Press Book Elevation and Investiture His Eminence John Cardinal O’Hara, C.S.C,” (Philadelphia: Catholic Standard and Times: 1958)
[13] McAvoy, Thomas, Father O’Hara of Notre Dame: The Cardinal-Archbishop of Philadelphia, (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1967)