Father Harold Stockert — or Father Hal, as many fondly called him — was a brilliant, humble Byzantine Catholic priest, known for his dry wit, artistic gifts, and deep devotion to teaching the faith. He reposed in the Lord on May 29, 2014, the Feast of the Ascension.

In the 1960s, while researching at Georgetown University’s Riggs Library, Father Stockert stumbled upon a remarkable find — a set of 17th-century letters exchanged between two Jesuit priests, one in Dublin and another in Douay, France. These letters described “The 12 Days of Christmas” as a coded catechetical song, used during the penal years when Catholics in Ireland were persecuted and forbidden to teach the faith openly.

Father Stockert copied the contents of the letters onto his notepad, returned them to the book, and placed it back on the shelf. Years later, in the 1980s, he shared his discovery online, posting the content on The Source — one of the earliest online communities for theologians and tech enthusiasts. He even transmitted one of his manuscripts via a homemade modem, possibly making him one of the first priests to publish a book online.

When his findings went public, skepticism followed. Historians demanded proof of the original letters, which Father could not produce — and so the world dismissed the story as legend. But those who knew him understood his integrity. He was never interested in fame or debate — only in truth, faith, and helping others encounter Christ.

I had the privilege of meeting Father Stockert personally after many attempts to reach him. He welcomed me and my friend Susan into his beautiful church — filled with icons and woodwork he had carved himself — and graciously shared his story on camera. His words confirmed what many of us suspected: The 12 Days of Christmas may indeed have been more than a carol. It was a coded confession of faith, born out of persecution yet rich with joy.

Father Stockert’s legacy lives on in every family who rediscovers the meaning behind this song — a reminder that even in the darkest times, faith finds a way to sing.

📖 Read the official obituary in Eastern Catholic Life (July 2014) — “+Father Harold Stockert Reposes in the Lord”
​🔗 https://www.eparchyofpassaic.com/files/newsletter/ECL-July-2014.pdf