On 13 December 1916 Fr Doyle, who was at the Front at the time, received a Christmas pudding from his sister-in-law. Here is his description: As I write, a huge plum pudding sent by the thoughtful Lady Jane has just walked in the door. A hundred thousand welcomes! The Lord grant I don’t get killed till after Christmas at least, it would be a fearful disaster to leave that treasure …
WWI
December 14, 2017
Sir William Bernard Hickie was Major General of the 16th Irish Division and knew Fr Doyle extremely well. He wrote the following in a letter to friend on 18 November 1917, 3 months after Fr Doyle’s death: Fr Doyle was one of the best priests I have ever met, and one of the bravest men who have fought or worked out here. He did his duty, and more than his …
November 18, 2017
Soldiers from the 16th Irish Division. Fr Doyle was appointed chaplain 102 years ago today Received my appointment from the War Office as chaplain to the 16th Division. Fiat voluntas tua. What the future has in store I know not but I have given Jesus all to dispose of as He sees best. My heart is full of gratitude to Him for giving me this chance of being really generous …
November 15, 2017
Today I am heading to Belgium to visit the war sites associated with Fr Doyle. I am travelling with a film crew who are making a substantial docudrama about Fr Doyle – more on that later. I have never been before and greatly look forward to seeing the land and area on which Fr Doyle made the ultimate sacrifice of his life.
November 11, 2017
From the Tabernacle Jesus seems to say, “Stay with Me for it is towards evening and the day is now far spent”. This should urge me to come to visit Him often. If my resurrection is a real one and is to produce fruit, it must be external, so that all may see I am not the same man, that my life is changed in Christ. COMMENT: Fr Doyle wrote …
November 11, 2017
My offering myself as a war chaplain to the Provincial has had a wonderful effect on me. I long to go and shed my blood for Jesus, and, if He wills it, to die a martyr of charity. The thought that at any moment I may be called to the Front, perhaps to die, has roused a great desire to do all I can while I have life. I feel …
November 10, 2017
I wonder is there a happier man in France than I am. Just now Jesus is giving me great joy in tribulation, though conditions of living are about as uncomfortable as even St. Teresa could wish – perpetual rain, oceans of mud, damp, cold and a plague of rats… Sometimes I kneel down with outstretched arms and pray God, if it is a part of His divine plan, to rain …
November 7, 2017
Fr Doyle wrote the following in his diary on October 25 1916. It refers to the previous night, in other words, this evening and night 101 years ago. It is worth remembering that at this time Fr Doyle was at the Front. His prayer was conducted in a dug out, not in the relative comfort of a Jesuit house far from violence and death. He obviously found it hard, hence …
October 24, 2017
Pray for all, but especially for sinners, and in particular for those whose sins are most painful to His Sacred Heart. With great earnestness recommend to His mercy the poor souls who are in their agony. What a dreadful hour, an hour tremendously decisive, is the hour of our death! Surround with your love these souls going to appear before God, and defend them by your prayers. COMMENT: It’s almost …
October 9, 2017
Our Lady of the Rosary To Mary’s feet in heaven today the angels come in never-ending stream to lay before her the offerings of her loving earthly children. To their Queen they bear fair wreaths of lovely roses. In many a lonely cottage or amid the bustle of the great city have these crowns been formed. Little ones and old folk, the pious nun and holy priest, the sinner too …
October 7, 2017