A special request from Patrick Kenny, President, Father Willie Doyle Association and Fr. John S. Hogan, Postulator.
Friday March 3 is Fr Willie’s 150th birthday.
He was born into this world on 3rd March 1873. Through the example of his life, and the impact of his writings, he is still making an impact 150 years later..
Will you give him a special birthday present?
Perhaps Fr Willie’s story has inspired you? Or maybe, like thousands of others, you feel that Fr Willie has answered your prayers?
This is an opportunity to show your gratitude to him.
You can thank Fr Willie by praying for the success of his canonisation cause and by praying for healings and miracles through his intercession.
But you can also show your gratitude by making a special donation for the expenses associated with his canonisation cause.
The entire process can be expensive. There are printing costs, postage costs, expenses incurred by the theologians and historians who investigate Fr Willie’s life, website costs, office expenses, costs associated with organising promotional events, travel costs, expenses incurred in investigating alleged miracles and healings, as well as a variety of fees at different stages of the process. And then, if the process is successful, beatification and canonisation ceremonies that also have t0 be funded.
But we believe it is all worth it. Canonisations give glory to God and glory to the saints. They also inspire and encourage us by showing us how the Gospel has been lived in the concrete circumstances of a person’s life. Every canonisation cause is itself an act of evangelisation.
In the case of Fr Willie, he shows us the life of a good and holy priest who offered his life to save others, offering his sufferings in reparation for the sins of priests. His writings continue to inspire young men and women to dedicate their lives to Jesus Christ as priests and nuns, and show lay people how to seek holiness in the ordinary circumstances of life. By offering his life to save Anglican soldiers Fr Willie became an icon of unity and fraternity. From a nervous breakdown at the age of 20 when his novitiate building went on fire, to being awarded the Military Cross for his bravery at the Battle of the Somme in his 40s, his transformation is a beacon of hope for all of those who suffer from anxiety in this pressurised age. His example is more relevant, and more needed, now than ever before.
Only one other Irish person has been canonised in over 500 years. Perhaps, with your help, Fr Willie will be the next?
The Father Willie Doyle Association is the official actor for Fr Willie’s cause. We are a private association of the faithful, approved by the Church. We are all volunteers who receive no pay for our work on this project. We rely entirely on donations, and all donations go towards our work of promoting Fr Willie and paying for his canonisation cause.
So, on these days when we celebrate Fr Willie’s 150thbirthday, will you make a special offering to help us in this task?
If you want to donate online, please visit:https://williedoyle.org/
If you wish to donate by cheque, please make it payable to the Father Willie Doyle Association and post it to
Father Willie Doyle Association
Irish Jesuit Provincialate,
Milltown Park,
Milltown Road,
Dublin 6.
D06 W9Y7 Ireland
Alternatively donations can be made directly to the bank account
Bank: Allied Irish Bank
Branch: Dun Laoghaire, Dublin
Account: Father Willie Doyle Association CLG
IBAN: IE31 AIBK 9334 0651 1111 87 (BIC: AIBKIE2D)
Fr Willie once said that God is looking for “big things” from those who are faithful to Him still. He also said elsewhere that “nothing is too small to offer to God”.
Whether you have been blessed by God with the ability to make a “big” donation, or can offer something small, please consider a special donation this weekend.
And if you cannot help us financially at this time, please keep our work in your prayers.
God bless you for your support.
Dr. Patrick Kenny & Fr. John S. Hogan