I have posted previously about the forthcoming new biography of Fr Doyle that is being written by Carole Hope. The book is almost finished and will hopefully be published next year. It contains much new information about Fr Doyle’s military career that has never been in the public domain before – like me, I’m sure many people await it with great anticipation. In advance of it’s publication, Carole has launched …
Fr Doyle links
March 25, 2013
Melrose in Dalkey, County Dublin. Fr Doyle was born here 140 years ago today. Today is Fr Doyle’s birthday – he was born on this day in 1873. For today we shall reproduce the first few pages of O’Rahilly’s biography which tell us something about Fr Doyle’s early life. William Joseph Gabriel Doyle was born at Melrose, Dalkey, Co. Dublin, on 3rd March, 1873. His father is Mr. Hugh Doyle, …
March 3, 2013
Real devotion to the Blessed Sacrament is only to be gained by hard, grinding work of dry adoration before the Hidden God. But such a treasure cannot be purchased at too great a cost, for once obtained, it makes of this life as near an approach to heaven as we can ever hope for. COMMENT: It is with great satisfaction that we note that Fr Doyle has been announced …
February 26, 2013
The Servant of God Monsignor Bernard Quinn Today is one of the few days in the year when we don’t have a thought FROM Fr Doyle but rather some thoughts ABOUT him. Some time ago I read the Life of Father William Doyle, the Irish Jesuit-Chaplain, who was killed in the late World War. It was made up chiefly from a Diary which he kept, and which, I am sure, …
January 15, 2013
Alfred O’Rahilly’s classic biography of Fr Doyle is a masterpiece of Catholic spirituality. It is also a gripping account of Fr Doyle’s adventures – and heroic suffering – during the war. If you have an interest in Fr Doyle, or an interest in Catholic, and specifically Jesuit, spirituality, it is essential reading. I have reviewed the book in the past, and you may read what I have had to …
November 26, 2012
Across the Divide: An Irish Padre of the Great War: Fr. William Doyle, S.J., M.C., Chaplain to the Forces 1915-1917 – a talk on Fr Doyle’s military career by Carole Hope on this coming Saturday 15th September in the Lecture Theatre in Collins Barracks, Dublin. Doors open at 2pm and the talk commences at 2.30pm. The talk is hosted by the Western Front Association, and there is a small fee …
September 9, 2012
Today we have exciting news about two initiatives to create greater awareness of Fr Doyle and his life. Presentation on Fr Doyle’s military career Readers of this blog may have noticed the many expert comments by Carole Hope on aspects of Fr Doyle’s service as military chaplain. Carole is an expert on Fr Doyle’s military career, and these comments often contain wonderful new titbits of information that have not previously …
August 24, 2012
I am convinced that generally we reach sanctity of life only through a long series of falls from which we get up. COMMENT: Fr Doyle had a very realistic understanding of our human nature. He too struggled with temptations and with his own defects, but like the saints he realised that we do not battle alone, but rather with the help of our loving God, of our guardian angel and …
February 20, 2012
Lent is almost upon us – in fact, Ash Wednesday is in three weeks from tomorrow. One important aspect of our Lenten practice should be spiritual reading. I can think of no better book to read during the holy season of Lent than Professor Alfred O’Rahilly’s biography of Fr Doyle. And the great news is that the publishers have a 20% sale until this coming Friday, so this is a …
January 31, 2012
Each look of love to the Tabernacle causes a beat of grace-laden love in the Sacred Heart. COMMENT: The Lord awaits us in the Tabernacle. Fr Doyle drew much strength from regular prayer before the Lord – often he could be found in prayer right through the night, especially when he was busy preaching a retreat. It seems that the busier he was, the more he approached the Lord …
January 27, 2012