There will be a talk about Fr Willie’s heroic holiness, and blessings with his personal crucifix, this Thursday at 7.30pm in St Patrick’s Parish, Corduff, Blanchardstown. Come along, and spread the word.
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May 4, 2026
At the community Mass this morning I again felt an overpowering desire to become a saint. It came suddenly, filling my soul with consolation. Surely God has an object in inspiring me so often with this desire, and has great graces for me if I will only cooperate with Him. Reflecting on this inspiration afterwards, I saw more clearly that the chief thing God wants from me at present is …
May 4, 2026
The more this generous spirit springs up in your heart, the nearer and dearer will you be to Jesus. Love for Love. Blood for Blood. Life for Life. Will you give Him all? COMMENT: God has given us everything we have. The saints were profoundly grateful people – they knew the debt they owed to God. But more than this, they repaid that debt through their love, through their action, …
May 3, 2026
I feel drawn still more to the life of “interior union.” To acquire this I must practise the following: 1 . Constant and profound recollection. 2. To keep my thoughts always, if possible, centred on Jesus in my heart. 3. To avoid worry or anxiety about future things. 4. To avoid useless conversation. 5. Great guard over my eyes, not reading or looking at useless things. COMMENT: Fr Willie’s programme …
May 2, 2026
My Martyrdom for Mary’s Sake. 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, on this the first day of thy month, 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 …
May 1, 2026
As you know I am very anxious to see these retreats started in Ireland, for I believe they would do a world of good and be the means of checking the dreadful irreligious spirit which is beginning to creep in even here in holy Ireland, especially among our uneducated men. … I am very grateful to you all for your good prayers; you must ask St. Joseph to find a …
May 1, 2026
I said my rosary with arms extended. At the third mystery the pain was so great that I felt I could not possibly continue; but at each Ave (Hail Mary) I prayed for strength and was able to finish it. This has given me great consolation by showing the many hard things I could do with the help of prayer. COMMENT: Fr Willie was greatly devoted to the rosary. It …
April 30, 2026
What is it to be a saint? Does it mean that we must macerate this flesh of ours with cruel austerities, such as we read of in the life-story of some of God’s great heroes? Does it mean the bloody scourge, the painful vigil and sleepless night, that crucifying of the flesh in even its most innocent enjoyment? No, no, the hand of God does not lead us all by …
April 29, 2026
We continue today with an excerpt from the original letter detailing some of the work Fr Willie had to undertake towards the end of April, 1916. After these stressful days were ended, Fr Willie was given a few days rest, and he was able to remove and change his clothes for the first time in over two weeks! Such was his exhaustion from serving the soldiers that he slept for …
April 28, 2026
Fr Willie sent the letter below to his father one year after the gas attack of April 1916. In this letter, he reveals more details of what had happened on April 26-28 1916. It seems to have been an even closer scrape with death than he had let on in the original letter, and he seems to have held off telling his father about it in case it caused undue …
April 27, 2026