July 31st The feast of St Ignatius Loyola, Founder of the Jesuits. We continue Fr Doyle’s account of July 31, 1917 directly after he left off yesterday. Again what is most noticeable is Fr Doyle’s good humour and cheerfulness, even in the midst of this awful war. It was 1.30 a.m. when our first halting place was reached, and as we march again at three, little time was wasted getting …
Life
July 31, 2010
"When one has put in a long day of hard work…the prospect of a stiff march is not too pleasant". From the last letter of Fr Doyle to his father describing the events of 93 years ago today: For the past week we have been moving steadily up to the Front once more to face the hardships and horrors of another big push, which report says is to be the …
July 29, 2010
On August 12 1917 Fr Doyle sent his last letter home to his father. It was a long account of his involvement in the early stages of the Battle of Passchendaele. 5 days later he was hit by a German shell while rescuing a wounded soldier and was killed instantly. His account of the battle commences on July 30 and we shall follow his account in his own words …
July 28, 2010
Pope Benedict preparing to hear Confessions in St Peter's Basilica I, too, used long ago to hate Confession, for no reason whatever, till as a priest I began to realize the fact that it is the biggest help and quickest means to holiness, since a Sacrament pours grace into the soul. COMMENTS: Fr Doyle is of course correct in stating that there is no reason whatever for fearing Confession. But …
July 26, 2010
From a letter from Fr Doyle to his father, 25 July 1917: We shall have desperate fighting soon but I have not the least fear, on the contrary a great joy in the thought that I shall be able to make a real offering of my life to God, even if He does not think that poor life worth taking. God accepted the offering of Fr Doyle’s life three weeks …
July 23, 2010
Fr Doyle in the pulpit during his last homily, July 1917 In the lead up to the anniversary of Fr Doyle’s death on August 16, we shall recount some of the events of those last days on the anniversary of their occurrence. If we have a record of these events they will mostly replace the regular thoughts for each day. Today there is a lengthy quote from O’Rahilly’s biography about …
July 21, 2010
St Lawrence of Brindisi, Doctor of the Church Feast of St Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619), Doctor of the Church “I will give thee hidden treasures.” Isaiah 45. 3. Jesus has treasures which He hides from those who love Him not and do not seek Him. To His favoured ones, His faithful servants, He opens wide the storehouse where they lie and pours His graces forth unmeasured. He is a hidden …
July 20, 2010
Believe me, I feel intensely for you, my child, for I know what you have suffered in the past and how violent the attacks of the tempter have been. But this very thing ought to be a big joy to you, since it shows how much the evil one fears what you are going to do for our Blessed Lord and poor perishing souls. If you were not a dangerous …
July 19, 2010
St Ignatius Loyola I was greatly struck and helped yesterday by these words of the Imitation: “My child, let Me do with you what I will; I know what is good for you”. They gave me courage to place myself without reserve in God’s hands. How happy I feel now that I have done so and made my sacrifice. COMMENT:Fr Doyle is of course referring here to the famous “Imitation …
July 18, 2010
The Seven Works of Mercy, 1504, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam The reformation of one’s life must be the work of every day. I should take each rule and duty, think how Jesus acted, or would have done, and contrast my conduct with His. COMMENT: Fr Doyle’s words today are direct and relevant for us all. The daily reformation Fr Doyle recommends must be immensely practical. We do not reform our lives in …
July 17, 2010