Litany of Saints
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Columba O'Neill (John O'Neill)

American Holy Cross brother and cobbler at Notre Dame

Servant of GodFull write-upUnited States
Born
5 November 1848
verified
Died
20 November 1923
verified
Beatified
—
not yet
Canonised
—
not yet

Who they were

Born with severely deformed feet, he entered the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1874 and worked as the cobbler at the University of Notre Dame for nearly fifty years, becoming widely known for healings attributed to his prayers.

The miracles

No miracle has been approved. The cause is at its first stage.

Why that counted as sanctity

Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend opened the diocesan inquiry into his cause in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on 27 April 2025.

The cause

Columba O'Neill (John O'Neill) is named a Servant of God; the cause continues. Favours received, and offers of help, go to the postulation, the office that carries the cause forward: The cause of Columba O'Neill (John O'Neill).

A miracle approved by the Holy See is needed for the next step. Reporting one begins with the postulation.

Sources

Checked against the sources listed on 24 September 2026. Corrections welcome.

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