Speaker Series: Tracing The Steps Of Father Connors, 9th Inf. Division Pastor

Join us on Thursday, May 29th, 2:30pm to 3:30pm for a talk by Eirinn Buckley Campaniello on her discovery and research of Father Edward Connors and his work with the 9th Infantry Division in World War II and beyond. As part of the presentation, Eirinn will have a reading from her play about Father Connors called “March to Grace.”

Father Edward T. Connors, a native of Whitinsville, Massachusetts, and a graduate of Holy Cross College’s class of 1927, served as a pivotal figure in the 9th U.S. Army Infantry Division during World War II. After his ordination, he ministered at Saint Peter’s in Worcester, Sacred Heart, and later at Saint Bernard’s in Fitchburg. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Father Connors was among the first priests from the Springfield Diocese to volunteer as an Army chaplain in early 1942. He joined the 9th Infantry Division during its reactivation and training in the Carolinas, marking the beginning of a profound association that would endure through some of the most significant campaigns of the war. ​

Known affectionately as the “soldier’s priest,” Father Connors provided unwavering spiritual support to soldiers of all faiths. His presence was a source of comfort and solace, often found on the front lines administering sacraments. He exemplifies the vital role of chaplains in providing spiritual guidance and emotional support during the tumult of war. His unwavering dedication left an indelible mark on the soldiers he served and the community he nurtured long after the guns fell silent.