THE O'BRIEN CHRONICLE A Short Biography of Martin McDonnell Friar McDonnell in Brazil Martin McDonnell was born in Maspeth, Queens, in New York City, on August 9, 1927, and lived there until entering the Franciscan minor seminary in 1949. He was ordained to the priesthood, as a member of the Franciscan Order of the Holy Name Province, in Washington, D.C., in 1955. At his first profession in 1950, Martin was given his name in religion -- Cormac Neil. As Frei Cormac, Martin served as a missionary in Goias, Brazil, from 1957 to 1971. During these 14 years, he was pastor or assistant pastor in a dozen missions or parishes, with as few as 100 to as many as 40,000 people. As a first generation Irish-American, Martin's interest was piqued when he learned that there had been a small population of Irish in Brazil. After researching in Brazil's national library for a number of years, he met a fellow missionary who told him about the library's "O'Brien Memorial." Martin had the material microfilmed and, with help, proceeded to transcribe such from old Spanish to contemporary Spanish and then translate the work into English. His experience grew from interest to delight as he followed the journey of Bernardo O'Brien. After leaving Brazil in 1971, Martin was assigned to the Academy of American Franciscan History in Potomac, Maryland, where he served until 1975. He continued his educational studies in Catholic University of America, receiving his masters degree in 1974. He completed his doctoral degree, except for his dissertation, in 1980. From 1981 to June 1989, Martin ministered as chaplain in Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. In July of the same year, Martin Bruce Curly (left) and Martin McDonnell, discussing the O'Brien Chronicle. spoke to his Franciscan Provincial and expressed his desire to leave the community in order to marry. He married Anne Gaffney in New York. Both continue to live in Maryland. While attending a retreat house in 1990, Martin met Bruce Curley, also on retreat. Their Irish heritage and interest in Irish history develope into a close friendship. Bruce learned that Martin had a great desire to publicize the O'Brien Memorial, and has doggedly pursued its publication. The result of his endeavors is contained in the pages to follow. The O'Brien Chronicle For some information about the early colonial history of Brazil in the 1600s, click here: Bernardo O'Brien's Brazil. You can contact Martin and Anne McDonnell by e-mail at: amcdon1786@aol.com You can e-mail Bruce Curley at: eamonspoem@aol.com And check out Bruce's web site at: www.infospace.com/brucec1 E-mail us for more information about The Wild Geese Today Click to return to The Wild Geese Today's Home Page Copyright © 2001, GAR Media. All rights reserved.