Brother Columba O’Neill, CSC died one hundred years ago today. He is buried in our community cemetery at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. His life is being examined for the possibility of being named a saint. His devotion to the Sacred Heart already names him a believer. His desire for people to be healed in God’s tender heart already names him a compassionate man.
Brother Columba was physically disabled, suffering from clubfoot. Ironically, he became a cobbler for our community. He had a fourth-grade education, and yet he joined a religious community known for education and lived his vocation on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. He lived a simple life of faith and service. However, 14,000 letters in the community archives tell the stories of people requesting healing from his intercession and prayer. He did not take credit for any healing even though 1,400 letters contain physical healings and favors received from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Last week, I visited his grave. Even after all these years in the Holy Cross community, I was not aware of Brother Columba’s devotion to the Sacred Heart which led him to be known as a healer. I touched the ground where he is buried because for years after his death, people scooped up small amounts of topsoil from his gravesite believing Brother Columba would still intercede for their needs and ailing bodies.
Brother Columba’s devotion to the Sacred Heart speaks to me. As a Holy Cross religious, the Sacred Heart of Jesus remains at the center of my faith. In our very complex world, we need to touch the mystery of love. When wars rage and divisions become our way of life, God’s healing love is available to us. When we argue over the correct way to live our faith, we need to discover God’s compassion, integrity and consolation. When we think ministry is about what we do, we need to come back to our essential relationship with Jesus Christ. When the very earth we live upon is at risk, we need to touch the soil of those who believed in God’s wisdom, healing and compassion.
Brother Columba said, “If you trust in the Sacred Heart, the Sacred Heart will cure you.”
Broken But Not Divided 
Father, thank you for brining the work of Brother O’Neill to your readers. Your words and his life remind us of what’s important and helpful for our own journey. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for your spiritual guidance. May God bless you and your ministry. J2
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