By Tom Tracy - Florida Catholic

MIAMI SHORES | During a celebration of his 50th anniversary in the priesthood, Father Patrick O’Neill received the Order of Malta’s highest honor, the President’s Award.

The award recognizes outstanding commitment to care of the poor and sick and to defense of the Catholic faith, which is the mission of the centuries-old Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta.

The award was presented May 20 by South Florida representatives of the American Association of the Order of Malta, Sean Clancy and Mark Wolff.

Father O'Neill is the longest serving chaplain in the American Association.

“He is unusual in that he is also a Knight of Malta, along with being our chaplain, and was a founder of our chapter here in Southeast Florida,” said Clancy. “He was very instrumental and progressive in expanding our reach to include women members as Dames of Malta in our local chapter.”

“This is a very special honor which is rarely given,” added Clancy.

Jack Pohrer, the American Association’s president, also sent a letter to Father O’Neill expressing his thanks for his leadership and spiritual guidance over the last 35 years.

Father O’Neill was ordained for the Augustinian Order June 1, 1967 and came to South Florida in 1980 as president of Biscayne College (now St. Thomas University). When he stepped down as president eight years later, after founding the law school, he was named coordinator of special projects for the archdiocese and later director of the Office of Ecumenism and Interfaith relations.

Although he retired from active ministry in July 2010, he continues to assist the archdiocese with special projects, ecumenical and interfaith relations, and by serving on myriad church and civic committees and boards.