Did you know that former President Ronald Reagan's adopted son, Michael, was a practicing Catholic?
On January 6, 2024, Michael Reagan's family announced his passing at the age of 80. Catholic News Agency reported,
"Reagan’s family announced his death on Jan. 6 via Young America’s Foundation, which operates out of the 'Reagan Ranch' near Santa Barbara, California. The announcement said Reagan died in Los Angeles, 'surrounded by his entire family.'”
In a 2024 interview with ChurchPOP editor Jacqueline Burkepile, Michael Reagan discussed the "Reagan" movie. Much of the interview also discussed his Catholic faith.
Michael elaborated on his father's friendship with Saint John Paul II, and revealed that his mother, the late Hollywood actress Jane Wyman, was a Third Order Dominican.
Watch the interview with the late Michael Reagan below:
"We're all Catholic...and my mother, Jane, was buried as a Dominican to the Third Order." - the late Michael Reagan
"My dad's brother was Catholic. His father was Catholic. His mother was Presbyterian. My dad was Presbyterian. My mother, Jane Wyman, myself, and my sister Maureen were baptized on Dec. 8, 1954. So we're all Catholic," Michael began.
"My mother, Jane, was buried as a Dominican to the Third Order," he revealed. "A lot of people don't know that."
"My mother was absolutely terrific," he said. "There were a lot of Catholics around my dad."
In response to a question about his thoughts on Saint John Paul II's relationship with President Reagan, Michael said, "It's magic."
"I like to tell the story about you know, my dad was shot. Pope John Paul was shot. But what did the two of them do? The two of them forgave the men who tried to murder them," Michael said. "They honored The Lord's Prayer."
"I feel that because they honored God through the Lord's Prayer--or they forgave--God worked with them, and ended up bringing peace to Poland, wrapping it around, and bringing down the Berlin wall."
Michael concluded the interview by explaining that his dad did not attend Sunday church services until after he left office. He said President Reagan did not want to put anyone in harm's way after the assassination attempt on his life.
However, he said that after President Reagan left office, "He never missed any Sunday from that point on, and when he had Alzheimer's and couldn't go, the pastor would go to the house and minister my dad."
"Every time that happened," Michael continued, "The minister would say, 'I went to minister the president, and he ministered to me.'"
Eternal Rest Prayer for Michael Reagan
Eternal Rest, grant unto Michael Reagan, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.