The Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table welcomes the return of Reverend Robert Miller and his presentation, "The Original Fighting Irish – Notre Dame’s Civil War Chaplains." When thinking of Notre Dame, most think of football and the Fighting Irish. Many remember Ronald Reagan as George Gipp, and Pat O’Brien as Knute Rockne. The dying Gipp inspires Coach Knute Rockne to beat Army and “win one for the Gipper”. But few know much of the original “fighting Irish”, Notre Dame's Civil War chaplains - the most famous being Father William Corby. Founded in 1842, Notre Dame was only a fledgling school when the Civil War broke out. Its founder, Fr. Edward Sorin, realized the need for chaplains for the Irish Catholic troops. Several Holy Cross priests served with the New York-dominated “Irish Brigade”, and others served with Midwest Union troops. Other religious orders also sent chaplains to serve the troops, but only the Jesuits outnumbered the Holy Cross chaplains of Notre Dame.
More than 60 Holy Cross nuns also served as nurses in hospitals, including Mound City, Memphis, Cairo and Paducah during the Civil War. A statue entitled “Nuns of the Battlefield”, in Washington DC honors their service during the Civil War.
Rev. Robert Miller was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1950, Fr Bob Miller obtained a Bachelors degree (in Philosophy) and two Masters degrees (Religious Education and Divinity) from universities in Wisconsin and New York. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1976, as part of the Redemptorist religious order. For 20 years, he taught Church History in the Archdiocese of Chicago; and also was the founder/chair of the faith-based corporation building affordable housing (Genesis Housing). He was pastor at St Dorothy Church on Chicago’s southside for 15 years, after serving at Holy Angels Church for 16 years, and St. Joachim for 5 years.
Rev. Miller is passionate about studying the Civil War, especially its faith-based, religious aspects. He was President of the Civil War Round Table of Chicago. He has authored five books on spirituality and Bible meditation, with his sixth book – “Both Prayed to the Same God’, reflecting that love of the Civil War. He is now working on completing Faith of the Fathers, a study of the 126 Catholic Civil War chaplains. He is now enjoying retirement, writing, traveling and preaching!