Born June 21, 1905 in Boston, Massachusetts, he entered the Passionists and professed his vows on September 14, 1924. He was ordained February 8, 1931. After ordination he worked as a retreat master and an associate editor of Sign Magazine. From 1942 until 1946 Father Flynn served as a U.S. Army Chaplain with the First Division Infantry in Africa, Normandy, and Sicily invasions. He received a Silver Star, the Bronze Star, two Oak Leaf Clusters and a Purple Heart. In 1946 Father Flynn became associated with National Catholic Relief Service. In Munich, Germany he was responsible for housing, feeding, and clothing thousands of displaced persons. From 1946 until his retirement in 1972 from the Catholic Relief Services, Father Flynn was director of Catholic Relief Agencies in Linz and Vienna, Austria, Budapest, Hungary and Rome, Italy. While in Budapest he met Hungarian Catholic leader Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty and accompanied the cardinal in charity work throughout Hungary. During the Mindszenty trial Father Flynn was sited by the Communist government as a friend of the cardinal. From 1948 until 1960 Father Flynn was in Austria and directed refugees to the United States, South America, Canada, and Australia. From 1961 until 1968 Father Flynn was director of publicity for Catholic Relief Services in New York. In 1968 he returned to Rome to assist in relief work for Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and India. He retired to the Passionist monastery in Union City, New Jersey.
Birth Date:
June 21, 1905
Profession Date:
September 14, 1924
Ordination Date:
February 8, 1931
Death Date:
January 28, 1973
Religious Name:
Fabian of the Sorrowful Virgin Flynn