In advance of this evening’s programme on Irish television about Fr Frank Browne’s heroic service in the First World War, I have invited Carole Hope to contribute a guest post on Fr Doyle and Fr Browne’s relationship. Carole is a military historian who has written a new biography of Fr Doyle entitled Worshipper and Worshipped. This excellent book is the definitive guide to Fr Doyle’s military career, and can be bought …
WWI
July 30, 2014
“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 July 30, 1917, 97 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 …
July 30, 2014
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 each …
July 29, 2014
As the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War approaches, there are many television and radio programmes scheduled to commemorate the event. A full list of relevant programmes on Irish television and radio can be found here: http://www.rte.ie/worldwar1/schedule/ Two programmes in particular look very relevant for Fr Doyle. On Monday July 28th there is a documentary about the 4 Irish regiments that took part in the war. And …
July 27, 2014
Fr Sean Coyle, a long time reader of this site (and blogger at www.bangortobobbio.blogspot.com) has sent a message to inform us that Fr Doyle was mentioned by Bishop Richard Moth, the Bishop of the British Forces, in a recent piece on BBC Radio 4. The programme is available here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b049xhfd. The clip featuring Bishop Moth runs from 08:15 to 13:00 and the mention of Fr Doyle is at 11:46. I am …
July 26, 2014
Occasionally we post some general information about the war in order to provide context and background into Fr Doyle’s experiences. Here is a link to some fascinating restored pictures of the War. We should all be grateful for the peace and tranquility we enjoy in our lives – previous generations were not so fortunate. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2695644/The-horror-war-youve-never-seen-Reproduced-breathtaking-colour-dramatic-photographs-WW1-carnage-courage.html
July 20, 2014
Fr Doyle had a tremendous joy and cheerfulness that easily communicated itself to others. He also retained this sense of fun despite the suffering of the war and his own personal austerity and mortification. All of this is extremely significant – the saints were always serene and joyful despite their sufferings. Fr Doyle was also known as a practical joker. It’s not known what others thought about his jokes, and …
July 20, 2014
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 the abstract by imagining great things we would …
July 17, 2014
Fr Doyle in the pulpit in St Omer Cathedral Fr Doyle gave his last homily 97 years ago today. Here is Alfred O’Rahilly’s account of this last sermon, complete with valuable first hand testimony from the famous Fr Frank Browne SJ: The 48th Brigade was at rest or rather down for a rifle shooting course near St. Omer. The 2nd and 8th Dublins were in and around the little village …
July 15, 2014
As the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1 is commemorated in the media, we will occasionally post items of general interest relating to the Great War, even if they do not directly relate to the life of Fr Doyle. This story in The Atlantic is a particularly interesting photographic display of some of the scenes associated with the War 100 years on. http://www.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/wwi/century/
July 12, 2014