Patriot Priest

The Story of Monsignor WIlliam A. Hemmick, The Vatican’s First American Canon Patriot Priest: The Story of William A. Hemmick, the Vatican’s First American Canon tells one man’s personal experience over several epochs and areas of history. It is also, in part, the story of one unique individual, Msgr. William A. Hemmick. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, and raised in Europe, he became fluent in five languages. When the First World War broke out, he felt committed to help the troops. After the war, he was proclaimed the Patriot Priest of Picardy by the Army and Navy. After years spent in Paris, William Hemmick was asked by the Vatican to come to Rome. Ultimately, he became the only American Canon of St. Peter’s representing the Knights of Malta to the Holy See. It was he who performed the nuptials of American film star Tyrone Power and Linda Christian. He also converted the future Queen Astrid of Belgium. Although many stories and famous people permeate Hemmick’s life through the events of both world wars, this is not only the story of one individual. It is a personal glimpse at an epic era in history, from WWI to Paris between the wars, to WWII and its aftermath. About the Author Although born in La Jolla, California, Patricia Daly-Lipe spent half her childhood in Washington, D.C., the home of several generations of her mother’s family. In 1961, Ms. Daly-Lipe returned to Vassar College with a year at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, and earned a B.A. degree in Philosophy. After living for two years in Rome and Paris, she returned to Washington, DC and wrote for the Evening Star Newspaper . She also completed a Master’s degree followed by a PhD in Creative Arts and Communication. She has taught English composition, literature, and writing in colleges, writing centers, and universities. And, over the years, she has written for magazines, had a newspaper column ( Beach and Bay Press and La Jolla Village News , in California, and The Georgetowner and Uptowner newspapers in Washington, DC).