EWTN radio in Ireland and the UK will broadcast an interview about Fr Doyle this weekend. It will air at 8am (Dublin/London time) on Saturday and 12 noon on Sunday. I don’t know if those outside Ireland and the UK will be able to access the programme online at that time. However, I will post links to the interview after the event. The programme will also feature an interview about Fr …
WWI
August 8, 2014
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, 2014
A German gas attack seen from the air Today’s account, from 7 August 1917, gives us some small insight into the horrors of the war, especially when it involved the use of poisoned gas. Of note also is the way in which Fr Doyle accepts spending extra days at the front to cover for a priest who never showed up to relieve him. He doesn’t grumble or complain, and in …
August 7, 2014
The events of August 6 1917 in Fr Doyle’s own words. In particular today we note Fr Doyle’s devotion to the Mass. The following morning, though the Colonel and other officers pressed me very much to remain with them on the ground that I would be more comfortable, I felt I could do better work at the advanced dressing-station, or rather aid-post, and went and joined the doctor. It was …
August 6, 2014
We once again resume Fr Doyle’s narrative of the events at the Battle of Passchendaele. This is his account of the events of August 5, 1917. In a particular way, we see Fr Doyle’s tenderness as he describes his tears for the fallen soldiers, as well as his confidence in God’s providence and protection. We also see his incredible sense of fun and adventure, though I for one cannot personally …
August 5, 2014
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 from O’Rahilly’s biography which includes an excerpt of a …
August 2, 2014
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 well as the cheerful spirit with which he accepted it. Morning …
August 1, 2014
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 to sleep. It was the morning of July 31st, the Feast of …
July 31, 2014
RTE has just aired an excellent documentary about the heroic Fr Frank Browne SJ. Fr Browne spent several months with Fr Doyle, and the two of them had great esteem for each other. You can read about Fr Browne’s military service here. And Fr Doyle’s relationship with Fr Browne here. The programme can be viewed at this site (it will be available for a few weeks). The entire programme is …
July 30, 2014
RTE television in Ireland is airing an important documentary this evening about Fr Frank Browne SJ. This documentary is important for at least two reasons. Firstly, it provides a more complete picture of Fr Browne’s life. He is of course justifiably well known for his photography. However, there was a lot more to Fr Browne than this, and tonight’s documentary will allow many people to learn of Fr Browne’s courage …
July 30, 2014