This July (2025) the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH) will hold its biennial meeting in Omaha. It could not be a more appropriate city to gather in for a couple of reasons. One is that Omaha is where the sisterhood of Irish American Catholic women was founded in 1894 as the Daughters of Erin. This took place during the National Convention of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) held in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1894. The other reason is that our Missionary Society of St. Columban was also established in the United States in Omaha in 1920. We have had a close relationship with the LOAH since 1936.
At the time of their founding, the primary purpose of the LAOH was to protect young immigrant Irish women coming to the United States, to assist them in securing positions, and to offer support and encouragement. Over the years the organization has developed in many ways but still holds true to their motto of “Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity.” The LAOH describe themselves in the following pledge. We are pledged to God and Country. We are a Catholic Action organization whose focus is to keep before the country and the world the fact that the Irish and their descendants are foremost among the people of the world in faith, in patriotism, in a sense of justice and in the spirit of self-sacrifice in their love for true liberty and peace. Our patroness is St. Brigid.
Since their founding, the LAOH has engaged in many diverse works. For instance, they were behind the erection of a monument in Washington, D.C., to honor the Sister-Nurses of the Civil War. They have engaged in many charitable works in Ireland. Contributions have been made to the victims of earthquakes and famines throughout the world. One of their primary charities over the years has been the Missionary Society of St. Columban.
Just two years after being founded in Ireland in 1918 the missionary society of Saint Columban was established in the United States in Omaha. We received a warm reception at that time from Archbishop Hardy, who welcomed us to his archdiocese. So, both the LAOH and the Missionary Society of St. Columban can claim a founding story in Omaha.
At the time of their founding the primary purpose of the LAOH was to protect young immigrant Irish women coming to the United States, to assist them in securing positions, and to offer support and encouragement.
Our Columban relationship with the LAOH began in 1935 when Bishop Edward Galvin, the co-founder of the Missionary Society of Saint Columban, visited Chicago and met Mrs. Mary MacWhorter. She had formed a group called the Mission Helpers of Saint Columban. Many of their members were also members of the LAOH. Mrs. McWhorter, a former president of the LAOH, invited Bishop Galvin to address their convention in Baltimore in 1936. Bishop Galvin talked about the difficulties encountered by his small band of missionaries in China and asked if they might help. He asked for financial support from the LAOH to “enable the work of God to be done.” He suggested that each member donate a dollar a year.
The assembled delegates at the convention voted to name the Columban missionaries as their principal charity. That first year they donated $500. Since then the LAOH has been most generous in supporting Columban missionaries with donations.
On behalf of all Columban missionaries and the people Columban missionaries have served over the years, we offer our thanks and prayers to the women of LAOH. We hope that you continue to prosper and serve your communities with joy and the spirit of your patroness, St. Brigid. With St. Patrick and St. Colmcille, she is revered as one of the three patron saints of Ireland. There is a wonderful poem promoting good cheer attributed to St. Brigid, your patroness, that we hope characterizes your convention in Omaha this year. (Author’s note: ale was a nonalcoholic beverage at that time.)
I would like to have the men of Heaven in my own house;
With vats of good cheer laid out for them.
I would like to have the three Marys, their fame is so great.
I would like people from every corner of Heaven.
I would like them to be cheerful in their drinking.
I would like to have Jesus sitting here among them.
I would like a great lake of ale for the King of Kings.
I would like to be watching Heaven’s family
Drinking it through all eternity.
Columban Fr. Al Utzig is the U.S. Region Director.