I would like you to note down in a little book the following things. Every day read each item over and put a little cross after it so that you may have constantly before your mind what you have to do and your faults. 1. Number of aspirations made. Number should be increased slowly but steadily. 2. Number of acts of self-denial. Same remark. 3. Fighting against worry, anxiety, …
Ireland
February 1, 2015
Blessed Angelo Paoli For the poor people on Dalkey Hill Willie constituted himself into a Conference of St. Vincent de Paul. He raised funds by saving up his pocket-money, by numberless acts of economy and self-denial; he begged for his poor, he got the cook to make soup, he pleaded for delicacies to carry to the sick. Once he went to the family apothecary and ordered several large bottles of …
January 20, 2015
St Charles of Mount Argus Today is the feast of St Charles of Mount Argus, a Dutch Passionist priest who spent about 30 years of his life in Dublin, dying here in 1893 at the age of 71. He greatly loved by the people of Dublin, primarily because of his humility and simplicity. He was not a great preacher, but he was extremely gentle in the confessional. Like many of those …
January 5, 2015
Fr Doyle wrote the following in his diary on 21 December 1913, 101 years ago today. It relates to a recent trip to the cinema – it’s not clear what date he went to the cinema, but presumably it was the same day or at most a few days beforehand. At the end of the performance of “Quo Vadis?” the words of our Lord seemed to go through my soul. …
December 21, 2014
Fr Doyle featured in a programme on Irish television this evening. The section dealing with his life is about 6 minutes long, and features some comments from me and some footage from his family home in Dalkey, including an interview with the current owner. We also get to see an old toy soldier that was found under the floorboards of the nursery a few years ago. Fr Doyle and his …
November 30, 2014
Spirit Level, a programme on RTE 1 television (in Ireland) has a programme tomorrow on Just War. As part of this programme, there will be small segment on Fr Doyle and his life as a chaplain in World War 1. I was interviewed for the programme, and some filming was also done in the Irish Jesuit archives, as well as at Fr Doyle’s family home in Dalkey. I don’t know …
November 29, 2014
Spirit Level, a programme on RTE 1 television (in Ireland) has a programme this coming Sunday on Just War. As part of this programme, there will be small segment on Fr Doyle and his life as a chaplain in World War 1. I was interviewed for the programme, and some filing was also done in the Irish Jesuit archives, as well as at Fr Doyle’s family home in Dalkey. I …
November 28, 2014
Venerable Fr John Sullivan SJ Pope Francis has approved a decree acknowledging the heroic virtues of Fr John Sullivan SJ, meaning that Fr Sullivan’s life and virtues are worthy of imitation by the faithful. From this point, he is known as Venerable John Sullivan. Fr Sullivan lived a holy life of prayer, humility, service and asceticism. He was born into considerable wealth and privilege, and after some years of travel …
November 8, 2014
The greatest thirst of Jesus on the Cross was his thirst for souls. He saw then the graces and inspirations He would give me to save souls for Him. In what way shall I correspond and console my Saviour? The thought has been very much in my mind during this week that Jesus asks from me the sacrifice of all the pleasures of the world — such as summer …
November 6, 2014
Blessed Dominic Collins Darling Mother Mary, in preparation for the glorious martyrdom which I feel assured thou art going to obtain for me, I, thy most unworthy child, solemnly commence my life of slow martyrdom by earnest hard work and constant self-denial. With my blood I promise thee to keep this resolution, do thou, sweet Mother, assist me and obtain for me the one favour I wish and long …
October 30, 2014