Fr. Thomas Aquinas Colgan, O.Carm.
February 20, 1911 – May 6, 1945
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Today, May 6, we remember Fr. Thomas Aquinas Colgan, O.Carm., a military chaplain of the US Army who died in Bukidnon.
Fr. Colgan was a Carmelite priest from the Carmelite Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary (US). He was ordained on May 31, 1936. As a Carmelite priest, he taught Spanish and Journalism at Mount Carmel High Schook, and ministered to Mexican Workers in Joliet. He was also a licensed pilot and gave pre-flight trainings at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois.
He volunteered to become a military chaplain after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
The provincial at the time, Fr. Ambrose Casey, O.Carm. said, “Never have I seen any man wish for anything in his life as much as Father Aquinas wished to be commissioned a chaplain in the United States Army!”
He was assigned to the 124th Regiment of the 31st Infantry Division. He carried the rank of Captain.
He is a veteran of four battles, namely in Aitape, New Guinea, Wakde-Samri, Morotai in East Indies, and in Bukidnon where he met his untimely death.
When he went to New Guinea for training in 1944, he made sure that the men were spiritually nourished despite the extreme condition that he had to face and the physical and emotional fatigue that he experienced with trainings that would last until late in the evening.
Accounts from witnesses would reveal that Fr. Colgan went to assist a wounded medic during a battle in Bukidnon. He was wounded in the process, still he continued to pull the man to safety. A burst of machine gun fire killed Fr. Colgan and it was said that when they recovered his body, his arms were embracing the soldier that he tried to save.
For his military service, he was recognized with several medals including the Distinguished Service Cross for Valor, Purple Heart of the Bronze Oak Leak Cluster, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Today, join us in remembering Fr. Colgan in our prayers. (Daluyang Karmelo|CCSPC)
