John Patrick Mulkeen, the youngest of the two children of John P. Mulkeen and Rose A. Coyle, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 24, 1 940. He attended St. Columbanus and St. Sabina Grammar Schools in Chicago, and St. Leo High School and Calumet High School, also in Chicago.

Upon graduation from high school he entered the Order as a cooperator brother, beginning his postulancy at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory, River Forest, Illinois, in September 1959 and being given the religious name Matthias. His novitiate began there in July 1960, and on July 11, 1961, he made his first profession of vows at the Priory. In September of 1961 he was assigned to St. Rose of Lima Priory, Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked in the laundry, assisted in the kitchen and served as sacristan. In 1964 he renewed his temporary vows and the following year was assigned to St. Vincent Ferrer Priory, River Forest, Illinois, where in addition to his duties in the Priory he taught CCD in the parish. On July 11, 1967, he made his solemn profession at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory, River Forest.

In l 968 Brother John Patrick, as he was now known, moved to St. Dominic Priory, Oak Park, Illinois, and assumed the duties of Assistant Dean of Discipline at Fenwick High School. Three years later he was assigned to the staff of Holy Rosary Parish, Minneapolis, Minnesota. While at Minneapolis he was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) but continued in his ministry and even began some studies at St. Mary's School of Nursing. In 1974 he returned to the Chicago area and for a year worked as an orderly at Little Company of MaryHospital, Evergreen Park, Illinois. In December 1975 doctors advised him that the stress of the job was detrimental to his health and, although he continued to do some work at the hospital, he was assigned to limited service in February 1976 because of his health.

From 1975 until 1997John Patrick resided at St. Vincent Ferrer Priory and for a time was Coordinator of an MA Support Group in Forest Park, Illinois. The nature of his disease, however, meant that he was subject to periodic attacks during which his coordination became increasingly impaired; between attacks there would be periods of remission. As a result of one of these attacks, it was necessary for him to take up residence at St. Patrick's Home, Naperville, Illinois, (November 1996 - May 1997). Physical therapy enabled him to return to community and he was assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Priory, River Forest, Illinois, with residence in the Juan Macias Care Center. His cheerfulness and interest in others in spite of the ravages of MS was an inspiration for all who came to know him. In early 2000 John Patrick's condition had reached a point which required hospitalization and after several weeks he was moved to Resurrection Life Center, Chicago, Illinois. Further hospital care became necessary and on March 20, 2000, he died at Resurrection Hospital. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory, River Forest, Illinois, on March 27, 2000, and burial was in the Dominican Plot in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois.