Fr. Thomas Edward O'Neill, OP

Fr. Thomas was one of the first members of the province.  A most notable accomplishment was his role in erecting Holy Rosary, our parish church in Antioch, California.  Since then, the parish church has been rebuilt a number of times.  He was Irish born and served California as a Dominican.  After ordination, he served St. Catherine of Siena in Martinez.  He was the main missionary for all the parishes in the Benicia area, because this area had many Irish immigrants.  In 1864, Antioch began to be on the rotation of sites ministered by the Dominicans.  April of that year marked the building of Holy Rosary in Antioch, California, which Fr. Thomas supervised.  The church was completed September 18, 1864.  In 1866 he directed the Dominican Third Order and was the Vicar of St. Dominic's in San Francisco.  From 1867 to 1870 he was the Prior of St. Dominic's in Benicia.  He returned to San Francisco for two years to be Pastor of St. Brigid's.  Once again, he went to Benicia, only to return to San Francisco for the last time.

In San Francisco, Bishop Alemany, OP was assigning diocesan jobs to the religious priests from St. Dominic's, which did not allow them to sing the choral office.  This was understandable, on the Bishop's part, in order to fulfill his responsibilities to his diocese.  It was equally understandable, on the part of the friars at St. Dominic's, to fulfill the Order's requirements of them regarding the choral office.  Along with Fr. Benedict McGovern and four others, Fr. Thomas challenged the bishop to respect the rights and privileges of religious.  You can read more about this in Mission West.

Fr. Thomas became Prior of Saint Dominic's in 1882 and lasted two terms until 1888.   He ministered in San Francisco for the rest of his life, dying at the age of 71

Dominicana Obituary

On December 10, 1903, Father Thomas O'Neill died in St. Dominic's Priory, San Francisco.  Born in the town of Dungannon, Tyrone, the historic home of the O'Neills in the year 1832, Thomas O'Neill left his native land in 1850.  In 1851 he came to California.  In 1852, on the advice of Bishop Alemany, he went to Monterey and was there received into the newly formed community of Dominicans, the first novice whose mother tongue was English.Having removed to Benicia, when the community was transferred to that city, then the capital of the State, Brother Thomas made his solemn religious profession in 1856.  In 1863 he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Losa, at that time living in California as an exile from his see of Guadalajara, Mexico.

In 1864 Father O'Neill organized the parish of Antioch, and built its church.  During the following nine years he generally labored in the district included in the parish of Antioch, in Martinez and in the missions dependent on those centres.  A stretch of well nigh fifty miles was faithfully patrolled by him, a tireless shepherd whose splendid physique enabled him to bear toils far beyond the strength of an ordinary man.  His familiarity with the Spanish tongue qualified him to bring comfort to the deathbeds of Spaniards and Mexicans who then formed a considerable portion of the population of that section of the State.

Elected Prior of S. Dominic's, Benicia, during that period, he relaxed, in no manner, his pastoral vigilance, his missionary zeal.  Verily he was a pioneer, not for the gold of this world, but for souls in the building up of the Church.

Subsequently called to San Francisco he labored most energetically and fruitfully in S. Francis' parish, San Francisco, helping notably in the work of reducing a very heavy debt.  From 1873 to 1876 he was the pastor of S. Brigid's Church, San Francisco, a field in which he also wrought unsparingly and vigorously.  For twenty-four years he had resided in S. Dominic's Priory, San Francisco.  Twice he filled the office of Prior there, and during those six years he led the efforts of the Fathers in the great work which they accomplished in the erection of the present S. Dominic's church.

For many years a sufferer, the result of an accident aggravated by rheumatism and other maladies, his disability finally became so pronounced, that he was confined to his room during the two years immediately preceding his death which came to him as a happy release from his multiplied sufferings, which he had always borne without a murmur.

In the death of this venerable man, the last of the old Monterey community, the California Dominicans have lost one of their greatest men.  Of varied talents, a musician, a poet of no mean quality, had he cared to cultivate the muse, Father O'Neill dedicated every gift to the cause to which he had vowed life and strength.  Self-sacrificing, obedient, prudent, of a determination, steel-like in its vigor, he literally spent himself for souls.  When, at last, he was compelled to relinquish all active share in the work of the Order, he became a willing victim, resigned, patient, cheerful under his heavy cross, an example of edification to his brethren, their helper and comforter by his counsel and wisdom.

To the memory of a true and loyal son of S. Dominic, a faithful priest of God, Dominicana deems this slight tribute due.  We regret that we cannot present a recent likeness of Father O'Neill, but the one we reproduce is the only one available. Taken more than thirty years ago, it pictures him as he was in the early days of his career.  His repugnance to having a photograph subsequently made could not be overcome.

At the obsequies celebrated on December 12, in S. Dominic's, San Francisco, Archbishop Montgomery gave the absolution.  His Grace also spoke, in a very touching manner, of the life work of Father O'Neill and of the example which he bequeathed as a precious inheritance to priests and people. The interment was made in Benicia on December 13.

Bidding adieu to this noble soul, we bespeak our readers' prayers that his dwelling may be in the light and peace and love of God.

--1904, Dominicana V.5, pg. 11-12

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