Rev. Dr. John Edward Mulvihill

John Mulvihill was a true Renaissance man. He was a jurist, philosopher, linguist, scholar, pastor, educator, archeologist, webmaster and recognized spiritual leader. He was an adventurer who visited all seven continents always learning and sharing his knowledge, but most of all he was a man who blessed the lives of everyone who was fortunate enough to cross paths with him over the years in all his many endeavors.

A lifelong resident of Chicago, John was born on November 19, 1939. His father, Harry Hamilton Mulvihill was an attorney at law in the firm of Mulvihill and Daniels. He was the neighborhood marshal during the war. His mother, Maria Sylvia Mulvihill (nee Ryska) was never without a job, even during the Great Depression. She worked for the Chicago Transit Authority for many of those years. She was multilingual, a staunch supporter of workers unions and was dedicated to her family. From his parents John learned the value of education, hard work and respect for people in any walk of life.

John attended Blessed Agnes of Bohemia grade school through the eighth grade where he studied the Czech language and spoke on WEDC Radio. He was a Boy Scout. He served as an acolyte in the church from the second grade until he graduated, forming a dedicated relationship with the Lord from his very early childhood.

He studied music as an extracurricular activity and received a certificate of vocal accomplishments from St. Scholastica College of the Franciscan Sisters of Milwaukee.

In 1953 he entered Quigley Preparatory Seminary for a five-year course with emphasis on linguistics. After his graduation he was accepted by the major seminary, St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois where he studied for three years. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Scholastic Philosophy and was assigned to residence at the North American College in Rome for his four years of theology, to be studied at Gregorian University.

John Edward Mulvihill was ordained to the Catholic Priesthood in the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome, on July 12, 1964, by the Most Reverend Filippo Pocci, the titular Bishop of Jericho. He was ordained ahead of his class so he could assist the faculty of the North American College in Rome. After ordination, he continued to study theology at the Gregorian University.

Father John Mulvihill's vocation led him to a diverse career in all aspects of the faith. As a jurist he was he Adjutant Judicial Vicar for the Ecclesiastical Court of Appeals of the State of Illinois. He was also a Judge for the Wisconsin Ecclesiastical Court of Appeals. He spent 50 years in various offices of the Chancery and Tribunal of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.
As a philosopher, he was an alumnus of the Pontifical Roman Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas. His essay won first prize at the Academy in 1964.

He spoke the five major languages of Europe: English, French, Italian, Spanish, and German but his linguistic skills did not stop there. He was fluent in Latin and his classical languages were Greek, Hebrew, Etruscan, and Umbrian. His love of language dated back to those first Czech language classes back in grade school.

As a scholar, he earned four doctorates with dissertations in theology, ministry, philosophy, and education. He attended nineteen colleges in cities that included Rome, Paris, Oxford, and Mexico City.

During his pastoral career he served St. John Bosco Parish in Chicago. As Vicar of Religious of two Chicago Cardinals, Very Reverend John Mulvihill pastored some 8,000 nuns and 2,000 priests as canonical and spiritual consultant.

As an educator, he was appointed Professor of Canon Law at the Graduate Theological Foundation. He had three Papal Licentiates to teach Philosophy, Theology, or Canon Law in a Pontifical Faculty.

His interest in archaeology led to a diploma from the University of Perugia in Italic Antiquities, and another diploma in Christian archeology from Pontifical Institute in Rome. He was certified by the Vatican Commission on Christian Pilgrimages with a license as a Holy Land Pilgrim Director. He always enjoyed visits to the Holy Land and always found time to share his knowledge with those around him.

He was the webmaster for the North American College Class of 1965. He moderated four other websites: philosophy, creativity, archaeology, and evolution.

His career as a recognized spiritual leader led the Pope to create him a knight commander of the Equestrian order of the Holy Sepulchre and later awarded him the Silver Palm of Jerusalem. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem awarded him the Cross of the Holy Land and later the Pilgrim Shell Award. He was listed in Marquis Who's Who for 20 years.

Father leaves the legacy of a life well lived in the service of others and memories that will be recollected and talked about for many years to come.

Beloved son of the late Harry J. and Marie S. (nee Ryska) Mulvihill. Loving brother of Harry J. (Catherine), and the late Rev. Dr. David J. Mulvihill. Dear uncle of John (Jenny) Mulvihill, David Mulvihill and Kelly Ann (Jay) Lovett. Great uncle of Lauren, Jacob (Hailey), John David (J.D.), and Kailen Mulvihill and Braxton Lovett. Mentor and friend of Marilyn Hardesty. He was a priest for 59 years, Ordained July 12, 1964 in Rome, Italy by the Most Reverend Filippo, titular Bishop of Jericho. He was a Knight Commander of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and Pastor Emeritus of St. John Bosco Church in Chicago, IL.

Visitation Saturday and Sunday, July 1 and 2, at Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home, 9568 Belmont Ave, Franklin Park, (847)678-1950, from 4-8 PM, lying in state on Monday, July 3, from 10 am until Mass at 11 am at St. James Church, 134 North Ave, Highwood, IL. Entombment All Saints Mausoleum, Des Plaines. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Priests Retirement and Mutual Aid Association (PRMAA), 1400 S. Wolf Rd., Hillside, IL 60162 is appreciated.