The tragic and triumphant life of a New York City police officer’s spiritual journey continues to impact citizens of a city, state, nation, continent and yes, the world. This extraordinary life makes a compelling case for, if not (just yet) sainthood, then of a prophetic…

Inside the roofless old Spanish chapel, the first rays of the early morning Texas sun were illuminating the room with a soft golden glow through the acrid air, clouded by black powder smoke. But what was being illuminated by that rising sun in the chapel of this mission called…

In November of 1846, as the war between Mexico and the United States raged, an unusual unit of the Mexican army was formed by General Santa Anna, it was called the San Patricios or St. Patrick's Company. Commanded by John Riley, a deserter from Company K of the 5th U.S. Infantry, who probably gave it the name, it…

Each year, on September 12, Mexico pays tribute to the San Patricios at San Jacinto Plaza.in Mexico City. A Memorial Plaque was installed back in 1959 on the wall facing the plaza. The plaque was designed by Lorenzo Rafael, son of Patricio Cox, who wrote the first book, a novel in…

The National Library of Ireland Willie Pearse

DOMHNAIGH -- On May 4, 1916, the British…

By Michael Hogan, Ph.D.

Historian from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

John Riley, the twenty-eight year-old Irishman who is credited with organizing the San Patricio Battalion during the Mexican War, has been the subject of much…

The True History of the San Patricios

One of the least-known stories of the Irish who came to America in the 1840s is that of the Irish battalion that fought on the Mexican side in the U.S.-Mexico…

A Book Review: "Walls – Travels Along The Barricades"

by Marcello Di Cintio

Soft…

Here's a great review for Michael Hogan's…

Growing up Mexican and Irish, as well as Sicilian had its moments of light and shade. All three are a family-based culture so there was a great emphasis placed on family, loyalty, culture and history. Growing up in the Desert Southwest within a 45 minute drive of the Mexican border also brought about an acute…