Emmett Mulligan, OFM

1923 – 2007

Fr. Emmett Mulligan, OFM, was born on Jan. 28, 1923, in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1946, he graduated from St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y.

That year, he was received into the Franciscan Order at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., where professed first vows in 1947. Fr. Emmett professed solemn vows in 1950 at Holy Name College, Washington, D.C. In 1952, he was ordained a priest at Mt. St. Sepulchre, the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, D.C.

Fr. Emmett’s assignment were to St. Anthony Shrine in Boston; the United States Navy and St. Mary’s Hospital, West Palm Beach, Fla., as chaplain; and St. Francis Chapel in Providence, R.I.

He was said to have a subtle sense of humor that could leave you in stitches. As a chaplain, Fr. Emmett showed himself to be a man of compassion and healing with a special love for the sick and those in danger of death. The Franciscan Sisters, doctors, nurses, staff and patients at St. Mary’s Hospital in West Palm Beach deeply appreciated Fr. Emmett’s Franciscan presence for more than 30 years.

Fr. Emmett retired in 2003 to St. Anthony’s Friary, St. Petersburg, Fla., moving to Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J., the following year.

He died there on March 6, 2007. Fr. Emmett was 84 years old, a professed Franciscan for 59 years and a priest for 54 years.