Father Gregory Boyle, center, greets supporters while walking from Homeboy Industries to Los Angeles City Hall on Friday, May 17, 2024, ahead of the city’s “Father Greg Boyle Day” proclamation. (Photo by Alejandra Molina)LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The city of Los Angeles has proclaimed May 19th “Father Greg Boyle Day,” honoring the beloved Jesuit Catholic priest who founded Homeboy Industries, regarded as the largest gang-intervention and rehabilitation program in the world.
On the day of the proclamation, Friday (May 17), “Father G,” as he is known, locked arms with his “homeboys” and took a pilgrimage from the downtown Homeboy facility to Los Angeles City Hall, where Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez lauded Boyle for his dedication in “uplifting those who are often left behind in our society.”
“No one should be defined by some of their most traumatic moments in their lives, and Father Greg Boyle acts on that every single day,” Hernandez said, adding that Boyle has fueled a “movement that empowers individuals with the tools they need to regain agency over their lives.”
Made two days before Boyle’s 70th birthday, which fell on Sunday (May 19), the proclamation highlighted the beginnings of his priesthood in the L.A. neighborhood of Boyle Heights, where he rode his beach cruiser and “engaged with the entire community as the first priest to build purposeful relationships.” Boyle, the proclamation declared, “took a stand against the demonization of gang members” and created “a place within the church for immigrants to find refuge.”
Father Gregory Boyle, center, at Los Angeles City Hall on Friday, May 17, 2024, for the city’s “Father Greg Boyle Day” proclamation. (Photo by Alejandra Molina)
Friday’s celebration began at Homeboy, where several dozen people gathered to celebrate Boyle’s upcoming birthday. They sang “Angel Baby” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” as a mariachi group serenaded Boyle, who posed for numerous selfies throughout the morning. Some held signs reading “Gee Day All Day” and “Father Gee Saved My Life.” Many wore pins with an image of Boyle’s face as well as blue T-shirts emblazoned with the words “G Day.”
During the celebration, Boyle, who was ordained a Catholic priest in 1984, spoke of how Homeboy has inspired people on an international level.
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On the day of the proclamation, Friday (May 17), “Father G,” as he is known, locked arms with his “homeboys” and took a pilgrimage from the downtown Homeboy facility to Los Angeles City Hall, where Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez lauded Boyle for his dedication in “uplifting those who are often left behind in our society.”
“No one should be defined by some of their most traumatic moments in their lives, and Father Greg Boyle acts on that every single day,” Hernandez said, adding that Boyle has fueled a “movement that empowers individuals with the tools they need to regain agency over their lives.”
Made two days before Boyle’s 70th birthday, which fell on Sunday (May 19), the proclamation highlighted the beginnings of his priesthood in the L.A. neighborhood of Boyle Heights, where he rode his beach cruiser and “engaged with the entire community as the first priest to build purposeful relationships.” Boyle, the proclamation declared, “took a stand against the demonization of gang members” and created “a place within the church for immigrants to find refuge.”
Father Gregory Boyle, center, at Los Angeles City Hall on Friday, May 17, 2024, for the city’s “Father Greg Boyle Day” proclamation. (Photo by Alejandra Molina)
Friday’s celebration began at Homeboy, where several dozen people gathered to celebrate Boyle’s upcoming birthday. They sang “Angel Baby” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” as a mariachi group serenaded Boyle, who posed for numerous selfies throughout the morning. Some held signs reading “Gee Day All Day” and “Father Gee Saved My Life.” Many wore pins with an image of Boyle’s face as well as blue T-shirts emblazoned with the words “G Day.”
During the celebration, Boyle, who was ordained a Catholic priest in 1984, spoke of how Homeboy has inspired people on an international level.
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