25 July 1917: Fr Doyle writes about vocations (Post 3 of 5 today)
In this excerpt from a long letter written 104 years ago today to his father, Fr Doyle writes about his publications on vocations. You will be glad to know, as I was, that the ninth edition (ninety...
View Article28 July 1907: Fr Doyle is ordained alongside Blessed John Sullivan
My loving Jesus, on this the morning of my Ordination to the priesthood, I wish to place in Your Sacred Heart, in gratitude for all that You have done for me, the resolution from this day forward to...
View ArticleThoughts for August 1 (St Alphonsus Liguori) from Fr Willie Doyle
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...
View ArticleFr Doyle’s trip to the cinema 108 years ago today
Fr Doyle wrote the following in his diary on 21 December 1913, 108 years ago today. It relates to a recent trip to the cinema – it’s not clear what date he went to the cinema, but presumably it was the...
View ArticleChristmas at Melrose
O’Rahilly’s biography of Fr Doyle is a remarkable source of information about Fr Doyle’s life and spirituality. However, there is another book about Fr Doyle entitled Merry in God. This is sometimes...
View ArticleChristmas Day 1890: Young Willie decides to become a Jesuit
I was alone in the drawing-room when Father came in and asked me if I had yet made up my mind as to my future career. I answered ‘Yes” – that I intended to become a Jesuit. I remember how I played my...
View ArticleChristmas Day 1914
During midnight Mass at Dalkey Convent I made the oblation of myself as a member of the League of Priestly Sanctity…Our Lord gave me great graces during the Mass and urged me more strongly than ever to...
View ArticleJanuary 10: The anniversary of the death of the Servant of God Fr Paul Ginhac SJ
Today is the anniversary of the death of the Servant of God Fr Paul Ginhac SJ who died on this day in 1895. Fr Ginhac was a French Jesuit whose life and example had an impact on the spirituality of...
View ArticleHappy birthday Fr Willie!
Today is Fr Willie’s birthday – he was born on this day in 1873. It is the start of his 150th year. A big number! Perhaps it will be a big year… For today we shall reproduce the first few pages of...
View ArticleThoughts for May 20 from Fr Willie Doyle
I did not write because I had nothing but disappointment, opposition, cold shower-baths and crosses to chronicle…Your news about the success in England is glorious, and yet I am assured that mine will...
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