Blessed Karl Leisner August 12: Feast of Blessed Karl Leisner We will return to some reflections on the life of Fr Doyle in a few days time when we approach the anniversary of his death. Incidentally, there is some dispute about the date of Fr Doyle’s death; some sources give it is August 16, others on August 17. I have also encountered some sources listing it as August 15, but …
Saints
August 12, 2010
St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Co-Patroness of Europe August 9: Feast of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Fr Doyle does not have a specific entry in his letter home for August 9, so we will have one of his typical sayings, and resume his narrative tomorrow. You must bear in mind that, if God has marked you out for very great graces and possibly a holiness of which …
August 9, 2010
Continuing our narrative today, it is hard not to be struck by the extraordinary good humour of Fr Doyle. The “cathedral” to which he refers was, of course, just another dug out or shell hole somewhere in a battlefield. His final comment about being glad not to be asked to say the rosary with bombs falling around him is classic Irish wit. It is important to remember that these letters …
August 8, 2010
St John Vianney August 4 Feast of St John Marie Vianney, Patron of parish priests. Fr Doyle had a great devotion to the then Blessed John Vianney, and visited Ars in 1907. From O’Rahilly’s biography: In spite of missing a train, and after an adventurous journey on a very primitive steam-tram, he found himself in the spot hallowed by the Curé of Ars. Fr. Doyle insisted on seeing everything the …
August 4, 2010
St Ignatius Four Dangers to be Feared after a Retreat: 1 . Dissipation: There, it is over; amuse yourself. 2. Toning Down: Too much, too many, too hard, too often, too etc. 3. Putting Off: Wait a little, rest yourself, take your time. 4. Cowardice: You’ll never do it; you’re no good; it will be the same old story. And Four Remedies: 1. Presence of God: No, it is not …
August 3, 2010
Photo of an Irish soldier taken by Fr Browne We have no more reports from Fr Doyle until August 5th, and we shall take up his narrative once again on that date. What we do know about these days is that Fr Doyle and his men had a few days rest before facing the trauma of battle once again. This might be an appropriate place to give the following excerpt …
August 2, 2010
1st August Feast of St Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church We continue today with Fr Doyle’s narrative of events in the days leading up to his death. Today’s account is somewhat shorter than that of other days. Even if the events of this day are less dramatic than what is to come, we can still glimpse some of the suffering Fr Doyle and the men had to endure, as …
August 1, 2010
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 …
July 31, 2010
"I am sorry to see you are hoisting the devil’s flag of discouragement" I am sorry to see you are hoisting the devil’s flag of discouragement. It is a precious lesson of the spiritual world that there must be ups and downs even with the most earnest efforts and in the holiest lives. “Begin again” is the motto of success in the path of holiness. Remember, too, that faults and …
July 27, 2010
Blessed Titus Brandsma I assure you that you have my entire sympathy as well as my prayers in the trial you are going through. There are few things more painful than to long to know the Will of God and not be able to see it, though it may be quite clear to others. From all that has passed between us I have no doubt that you have a religious …
July 26, 2010