On Sunday, 23 November, close to 200 people crowded into McKenna Hall at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, in the United States to watch the world premiere of the new documentary In Kind Love: The Life and Legacy of Br. Columba O’Neill, C.S.C.
The documentary was the inspiration of Br. Phil Smith, C.S.C., Archivist of the Midwest Province, who for several years has tirelessly worked to promote knowledge of and devotion to Br. Columba. With the financial backing of the Midwest Province, New Group Media was contracted to produce the 45-minute film, which chronicles the life of the Servant of God and relates how his cause was unfortunately lost for decades in the archives, only to be discovered and resurrected by Br. Smith.
“The video In Kind Love: The Life and Legacy of Br. Columba O’Neill, C.S.C., is a production that took nearly 2 years to complete,” said Br. Smith. “It was the work of the village of skilled individuals who used their talents to bring to life the humble cobbler, the ‘Miracle Man of Notre Dame’. The result of all this work is a wonderful depiction of a very common man whose devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and his kindness allowed God to work through him in marvelous ways.
“In addition to Br. Smith, other Holy Cross religious interviewed in the documentary include Br. Kenneth Haders, C.S.C., Superior of the Midwest Province, Fr. William Lies, C.S.C., Superior of the U.S. Province of Priests and Brothers, and Fr. Ronald Raab, C.S.C.
Download a booklet on the "Miracle Man of Notre Dame"
The Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, who has been instrumental in the advancement of Br. Columba’s cause also appears in the documentary. The bishop was present for the premiere on 23 November, which is Br. Columba’s death anniversary, and offered a blessing at the end of the evening.
Joining the many Holy Cross Brothers, Priests, and Sisters in attendance for the premiere were members of the local campus communities as well as religious from other congregations. They were greeted on their way into McKenna Hall by a series of displays that included artifacts from the Midwest Province Archives relating to Br. Columba, including his Sacred Heart statue, rosary, pocket watch, some of his cobbler’s tools, and one of the Sacred Heart badges that he had made. There was also a series of paintings on the Servant of God done by Fr. Raab.
Read more about the life of Br. Columba O'Neill, C.S.C.
Following the documentary, there was a panel discussion organized by Dr. Chris Haug, Provincial Assistant and Director of Apostolic Mission and Charism in the U.S. Province, to explore more of both the documentary itself as well as the life of Br. Columba. The panelists were Sr. Judith Ann Zeilinski, OSF, Producer and Writer of the documentary, and Seminarian Edwin Donnelly, C.S.C., who collaborated on the film.