Over sixty years ago in Baltimore, a young usher of “The Basilica of the Assumption” overheard Archbishop Francis Patrick Keough ask, “Why isn’t there a chapter of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick here in Baltimore?”

The young usher, George B. Cavanaugh, Esquire, met with Louis “Peck” Lauer, Congressman George Fallon’s administrator, along with Paul Reed of St. John’s Parish. Together the men contacted everyone who they knew in Baltimore. Many men came forward and among them were D. Chester O’Sullivan and John C. McGeehan. Officers were elected through a nominating committee and the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Baltimore was born.

After much discussion, the group decided to focus their charitable contributions on the “Little Sisters of the Poor,” which still receives contributions today. The Friendly Sons provided grants to BPOE Orphans, Mercy Hospital, Bon Secours Hospital, and Calvert Hall College.

Fundraising activities included an annual roast and an annual luncheon, which have continued to the present. The annual luncheon presents honored guest speakers such as Art Donovan and Reverend “Monk” Malloy, president of the University of Notre Dame. Other prominent speakers of the past include Senator John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, who were instituted as life members of the Society.

Any individual wishing to contribute information or to donate research hours are encouraged to contact Friendly Sons Webmaster.