Account book of the Irish Jesuit Province
- IE IJA ADMN/16/13
- Item
- September 1921 - 19 July 1925
Account book of the Irish Jesuit Province. Includes an alphabetical index.
Account book of the Irish Jesuit Province
Account book of the Irish Jesuit Province. Includes an alphabetical index.
Account book of the Irish Jesuit Province
Account book of the Irish Jesuit Province. Includes an alphabetical index.
Correspondence with Dr John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin
Correspondence with Dr John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin (mostly holograph letters from the Archbishop and copies of Fr. Provincial’s replies) on various matters. Includes letters concerning:
McQuaid, John Charles, 1895-1973, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin
Part of Irish Jesuit houses of formation
Letters from Fr William Gleeson SJ to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ concerning a debenture and the giving of a parish mission in Kerry.
Gleeson, William, 1862-1951, Jesuit priest
Letter to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Irish Provincial concerning his ‘future work’
Part of Irish Jesuits
Letter to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Irish Provincial John Fahy SJ, concerning Fr Gwynn’s ‘future work’. While Fr Gwynn is keen to go to the missions in China, Fr Fahy is anxious that he should stay in Ireland and work at U.C.D. and University Hall – ‘I write…that you may know how I sympathise with missionary work. A decision will not be made for some time about your future. Meanwhile I think that I should say frankly that, in my opinion, our CCs would for many reasons be opposed to your leaving Ireland – wishing to have you for U.C.D., Dr Coffey is, I understand making arrangements to have a chair in Ancient History founded for you.’
Fahy, John, 1874-1958, Jesuit priest
Part of Irish Jesuits
Letter from Irish Fr Provincial John Fahy SJ to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning the newly founded ‘lectureship in Ancient History in U.C.D.’. ‘I feel that you will be very much disappointed when I ask you… to present yourself as a candidate; for I know that you wish to go to China. Do try to forgive me when I ask you to do something that pleases you less.’
Fahy, John, 1874-1958, Jesuit priest
Letters from Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ relating to the St Joseph’s Young Priests Society
Part of Irish Jesuits
Notes and letters from Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ relating to the St Joseph’s Young Priests Society, with regard to its income, expenditure and general policy. Fr Gwynn played an important part in the Society’s foundation and development (1927-49) and was Honorary Editor of its quarterly magazine Saint Joseph’s Sheaf.
Gwynn, Aubrey, 1892-1983, Jesuit priest and academic
Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning Fr Arthur Cox
Part of Irish Jesuits
Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning Fr Arthur Cox, who died in Zambia on 11 June 1965 following a car crash. Includes: letter from Fr Cox to Fr Gwynn describing how Fr Cox is settling in to his new life in Monze and learning new languages (21 December 1964, 2pp);
– letter from Bishop James Corboy SJ with reference to Fr Cox (23 February 1965, 1p) (see also J10/18);
– letter from Fr Frank O'Neill SJ describing the circumstances of Fr Cox’s death (16 June 1965, 3pp);
– letter from Bishop Corboy following the first anniversary of Fr Cox’s death (17 June 1966, 1p.). Includes ordination and memorial card of Fr Cox.
Aubrey Gwynn and Arthur Cox at UCD together.
Cox, Arthur, 1891-1965, solicitor and priest
Letters and report to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Leonard Sheil SJ concerning missions in Spain
Part of Irish Jesuits
Letters and report to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Leonard Sheil SJ concerning missions in Spain, comparisons with missions in Britain and Ireland and the possibility of Fr Sheil’s working in South America. Includes:
– letter from Fr Sheil to the Irish Fr Provincial seeking permission to go to Spain to study Spanish missions in order to adapt certain practices for use in Britain (7 September. 1961, 4pp);
– copy of a ‘Report on Missions in Spain’ following a visit by Frs Shiggins and Sheil who attended five missions around the country (n.d., 4pp);
– letter from Fr Sheil to the Irish Fr Provincial in which he discusses certain Spanish customs which could be used on Missions in Britain. Remarks that he will send the Provincial a report ‘on the meetings I now hold with Protestant clergymen after missions in Ireland’ and that he has sent in ‘full reports on our missions in Britain’ ‘almost every year for ten years’. Also mentions a new member of the mission staff, Fr Kevin Laheen SJ – ‘You will be glad to know that Fr Laheen on this his first mission did very well. He preaches well and his musical voice was a help to O'Beirne and I. I need not tell you that O'Beirne preaches very well, and is a wonderful companion on a mission. He sleeps badly’ (Fr Gerry O'Beirne) (23 March 1963, 3pp) and
– letters seeking permission to go to Spain (and Italy) as a supply priest (25 May 19?? – 30 November 1965, 4 items).
Part of Irish Jesuits
Letter to Irish Fr Provincial Cecil McGarry from Sr Mary Regis, Mercy Convent, Doon, County Limerick, following Fr Leonard Sheil's death. Encloses letters sent to her from Fr Sheil over a number of years and press-cuttings relating to him, in the hope they might be useful to the Society when writing Fr Sheil's biography. States ‘I thought I would like to do a little for him after all he did for me.…When he started his missions in England I used to make pictures & pieties to help him & send them to the different addresses. He sent me accounts of these missions…He never thought of himself, his aim was to use everything he could to bring souls to God… I have kept letters of his since 1939 & all the years of the war & until he wrote before Christmas to announce his illness’ (Aug. 1968, 4pp). Encloses seven letters from Fr Sheil, thanking her for sending badges and medals and discussing her health and his missions. Includes letter in which he remarks ‘…thanks so much for all your lovely pictures and things. They are immensely valued over here. Sometimes indeed religion is not valued, but I hope that these pictures etc. will make it impossible for them to forget the lovely things of Our Faith. One little boy brought five Protestant pals, mostly bigger than himself, to the mission at West Hartlepool. I have had many conversions of people years away from Mass and the Sacraments. Many others have rejected me. The [leak]age of the children when they leave school, & have no Catholic school, and no good parents, is frightful. I start missions again on January 8th at Coventry and near Northampton. They will be very tough, so help me with your prayers. I bless each house I enter, put them on their knees, if they don’t refuse, and instal (sic.) a holy picture’ (28 Dec. 19--, 2pp). Also includes photocopies of clippings on Fr Sheil from various English newspapers (n.d., 4 items).
Photograph of Fr Leonard Sheil SJ, on a ladder while talking to a chippy
Part of Irish Jesuits
Photograph of Fr Leonard Sheil SJ, on a ladder while talking to a chippy (carpenter), on scaffolding. Taken for the 'Birmingham Post & Mail'.
Part of Irish Jesuits
Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial, mostly from Fr Leonard Sheil SJ, relating to his Mission work throughout Ireland. Includes:
Memorandum listing the number of Irish missions given by Fr Leonard Sheil SJ from 1933 to 1947
Part of Irish Jesuits
Typed memorandum for Irish Fr Provincial listing the number of Irish missions given by Fr Leonard Sheil SJ from 1933 to 1947; his work in Britain which began in 1948, ‘Since then Fr Sheil has given five missions most years and never less than three – during the autumn period in Britain’; and listing his work from 1933 to 1947 in Ireland in the autumn as ‘mostly with the convent school-girls, and occasional retreats in convents and in Jesuit churches.’
Part of Irish Jesuits
Correspondence mainly between Irish Fr Provincial, Fr Leonard Sheil SJ and the English Provincial, relating to Fr Sheil’s Mission work in England. Includes:
– incomplete letter from Fr Sheil to the Provincial referring to a Mission he and Fr Robert L. Stevenson SJ are to give in Peterborough, ‘We will run one mission in a hostel, and another in the church at the same time. There are 180 Irish in the hostel; and there are believed to be about 400 in lodgings around the town. We may, or may not, be able to get at them.’ Also describes his recent travels on the Continent (third page of letter is missing) (12 Sep. 19--, 2pp);
– letter from Fr Sheil to the Provincial describing a ‘country mission in Northampton’ where he “was told to take a different village every day, say Mass in some Catholic house, visit every house – Catholic or no, and ‘hold a service’ on the village green in the evening” (2 September 19–, 7pp);
– covering letter and note (January 1953, 2pp) from Fr Sheil to the Provincial enclosing a memorandum entitled ‘Relations between Irish and English Jesuit Missioners’ (n.d., 3pp);
– covering letter from Fr Sheil (13 April 1953, 1p.) to the Provincial, enclosing a letter he received from the Archbishop of Cius and English Apostolic Delegate following Fr Sheil’s report to him of 1952 Mission work. The Archbishop writes ‘I have read with deepest interest the reports sent to me by the Reverend Father L. Sheil, S.J. and I have informed the Holy See of all the splendid work that has been accomplished. For this most necessary apostolate, certainly the Delegate of the Holy Father must send a cordial blessing in the name of His Holiness and he is confident that, with God’s help, more and more will be achieved for those who stand so much in need of the ministry of their own priests’ (9 April 1953, 1p.);
– copy letter from the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne to the English Fr Provincial Desmond Boyle SJ, regarding Fr Boyle’s ‘wishes concerning the activities of the Irish Mission staff in England’. States ‘I have…instructed Father Leonard Sheil to confine his activities in future to Camp Missions during the autumn months, and, once he has fulfilled his programme in London this autumn, to approach no parish priest about a parish Mission nor to accept any parish Mission without a specific request from Father Farrell.…I think he (Fr Sheil) has done good work for the Irish in England, some of which, such as the Confraternity in Birmingham, may be of permanent worth. But whatever good he has achieved is due in no small measure to the co-operation of the English Province and the support he received from the English parish clergy’ (22 Apr. 1953, 1p.);
– Fr Boyle’s reply thanking Fr Byrne for his co-operation and stating ‘I only hope that we of this Province have not seemed too difficult or dog-in-the-manger-ish. The position was getting rather confused and it seemed desirable to regularize it. Your mission Fathers have done wonderful work in England, and I am quite sure that Fr Sheil will be approached either directly or through Fr Farrell for further missions’ (29 Apr. 1953, 1p.);
– letter to Fr Sheil from Dr James Staunton, Bishop of Ferns in which he remarks ‘I was glad to know that you are going to St. Wilfrid’s York, and I hope your Fathers and yourself will be invited to give many missions in the secondary modern schools, and pioneer in this sphere’ (20 Aug. 1958, 2pp);
– letter to the Provincial from Fr Sheil describing the work of two Irish chaplains in London – Fr Cullen in Warwick Street and the chaplain in Bayswater (Sep. 1967, 2pp).
Also includes list drawn up by Fr Sheil of Jesuits who ‘should give a very good priests’ retreat’ (n.d., 2pp).
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
The Irish Jesuit Mission to Australia was initiated due to the will of Fr John Joseph Therry (1790-1864), who named the Irish Jesuits as beneficiaries to his property in Australia, and by an invitation to the Irish Province by James Alipius Goold, Bishop of Melbourne (later Archbishop) (1812-1886) to set-up a mission in his diocese. The first two Irish Jesuits, Frs William Lentaigne (1805-1884) and William Kelly (1823-1909), arrived in Melbourne in September 1865. Previously, two Austrian Jesuits, Frs. Kranewitter (1817-1880) and Klinkowstroem (1819-1896) had arrived in 1848 after Jesuit expulsion from Austria. The Austrian Mission centred on South Australia and the Northern Territory. In 1901, the Austrian and Irish missions amalgamated. Australia was made a Vice-Province in 1931 and Fr Austin Kelly SJ (1891-1978) was named the first Provincial of the Australian Province in 1950.
The papers of the Australian Mission provide a comprehensive history of the Irish Jesuit Mission, concentrating on the years 1865-1931. The Irish Jesuits worked as missionaries, educators, writers, chaplains, theologians, scientists, pastors and directors of retreats, mainly in the urban communities of eastern Australia.
Subjects touched upon include: agreements with Archbishops in establishing Jesuit houses in a particular diocese; reflections on the journey to and from Australia; administration of schools, colleges, universities and Jesuit residences - (St Patrick’s, Melbourne; St Francis Xavier College, Kew, Melbourne; St Aloysius, Dunedin (NZ); St Aloysius College, Sydney ; St Ignatius College, Riverview, Sydney; St Louis, Claremont, Western Australia; Newman College, University of Melbourne); parishes - (Norwood and Sevenhills in South Australia; Invercargill (NZ); Melbourne; Sydney; Toowong and Indooroopilly in Queensland); financial documents; expansion of the Mission; and correspondence between Father Provincial in Ireland and Jesuits in Australia. By far the greatest number of letters sent to Father Provincial in Ireland was from Fr John Ryan SJ (1849-1922) (Superior of the Mission from 11 February 1901-14 June 1908; 9 April 1913-24 October 1917). Until the creation of the Australian Mission as a Vice-Province, the Irish Provincial was kept informed of every minor detail about the Mission and often decision making in Australia was delayed until approval from Dublin was given.
Although this collection provides a comprehensive history of the Australian Mission, there are some gaps. For example, the collection does not contain any deeds or other legal documents relating to property obtained by the Society of Jesus in Australia and it is presumed that these documents would have been kept by the Superior of the Mission and later the Vice-Provincial of the Vice-Province in Australia, where they remain today.
Superiors of the Irish Jesuit Mission to Australia (1865-1931)
Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ 1865-1866
Fr Joseph Dalton SJ 1866-1872
Fr Thomas Cahill SJ 1872-1879
Fr Joseph Dalton SJ 1879-2 September 1883
Fr Aloysius Sturzo SJ 2 September 1883-5 April 1890
Fr Patrick Keating SJ 5 April 1890-1 February 1895
Fr Timothy Kenny SJ 1 February 1895-11 February 1901
Fr John Ryan SJ 11 February 1901-14 June 1908
Fr Thomas Brown SJ 14 June 1908-9 April 1913
Fr John Ryan SJ 9 April 1913-24 October 1917
Fr William Lockington SJ 24 October 1917-20 June 1923
Fr Jeremiah Sullivan SJ 20 June 1923-19 March 1931
Vice-Provincials of the Vice-Province of Australian (1931-1950)
Fr John Fahy SJ 19 March 1931-25 August 1939
Fr John Meagher SJ 25 August 1939-1 October 1947
Fr Austin Kelly SJ 1 October 1947-1 November 1950
Irish Vice-Province of the Society of Jesus, 1830-
Copy letters from Fr General Peter Beckx SJ to the Superior of the Mission, Fr Joseph Dalton SJ
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Copy letters from Fr General Peter Beckx SJ to the Superior of the Australian Mission Fr Joseph Dalton SJ.
Beckx, Peter, 1795-1887, Jesuit priest and Father General
Letter from the Superior of the Australian Mission, Fr Joseph Dalton SJ to Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letter from the Superior of the Australian Mission, Fr Joseph Dalton SJ, Villa Maria, Hunters Hill, Sydney to Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ concerning the Australian Mission. Refers to a number of topics he wishes to be passed on to Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ when Fr Lentaigne returns to Ireland.
Dalton, Joseph, 1817-1905, Jesuit priest
Letter from the Superior of the Australian Mission, Fr Joseph Dalton SJ to Fr John Ffrench SJ
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letter from the Superior of the Australian Mission, Fr Joseph Dalton SJ, St Patrick's, Melbourne to Fr John Ffrench SJ regarding the Australian Mission and worries expressed by Father General concerning the observance of spiritual matters and the customs of the Society.
Dalton, Joseph, 1817-1905, Jesuit priest
Letter from Fr General Beckx to the Superior of the Australian Mission
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letter from Fr General Peter Beckx SJ to the Superior of the Australian Mission, Fr Joseph Dalton SJ discussing the Australian Mission.
Beckx, Peter, 1795-1887, Jesuit priest and Father General
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Notes written by Fr Joseph Dalton SJ on the Sydney Mission.
Dalton, Joseph, 1817-1905, Jesuit priest
'The Society of Jesus in Australia'
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Book entitled 'The Society of Jesus in Australia.'
Watson, Michael J, 1845-1931, Jesuit priest
Notebook detailing the early history of the Australian Mission, No.1
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Handwritten notebook detailing the early history of the Australian Mission (one notebook appears to be missing).
Dalton, Joseph, 1817-1905, Jesuit priest
Notebook detailing the early history of the Australian Mission, No.2
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Handwritten notebook detailing the early history of the Australian Mission (Victoria).
Notebook detailing the early history of the Australian Mission, No.3
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Notebook detailing the early history of the Australian Mission (in New South Wales).
100 years of the Society of Jesus in Australia entitled 'A Century of Jesuit Achievement 1865-1965'
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Booklet commemorating 100 years of the Society of Jesus in Australia entitled 'A Century of Jesuit Achievement 1865-1965.'
Australian Vice-Province of the Society of Jesus, 1931-
'Our Australian Missions', 1886 & 1898
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Copies of a publication entitled 'Our Australian Missions', 31 July 1896 (2 copies) and 1 September 1898
Australian Vice-Province of the Society of Jesus, 1931-
Cutting with a tribute to Fr Aloysius Sturzo SJ
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Cuttings from 'The Catholic Press' of an article entitled 'How the Irish Came to Queensland. The Voyage of the "Erin-go-bragh" and a tribute to Fr Aloysius Sturzo SJ'.
Australian Vice-Province of the Society of Jesus, 1931-
Report on the mission in Australia
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Report on the mission in Australia written by the Superior of the Mission Fr Jeremiah Sullivan SJ.
Sullivan, Jeremiah, 1877-1960, Jesuit priest
Invitation by the Bishop of Melbourne to the Irish Province to set up a mission in his diocese
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
A file of letters from Joseph Alipius Goold, Bishop of Melbourne, Bishop's House, Melbourne, Australia to Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ concerning an invitation to the Irish Province to set up a mission in his diocese.
Goold, James Alipius, 1812-1886, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letter from Fr John McEncroe, Archdiocese, Sydney, Australia to Fr John Callan SJ concerning the introduction of Fathers from the Society of Jesus into the Diocese of Sydney.
McEncroe, John, 1794-1868, Catholic priest and archdeacon
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letter from Joseph Alipius Goold, Archbishop of Melbourne, writing from Brussels, Belgium to Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ concerning an urgent request by Fr Joseph Dalton SJ for a community of teaching nuns to go to Australia.
Goold, James Alipius, 1812-1886, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne
Letter from the Archbishop of Melbourne concerning the procurement of a community of religious
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letter from Joseph Alipius Goold, Archbishop of Melbourne, Archbishop's Residence, St Patrick's, Melbourne to Fr Thomas Cahill SJ (Superior of the Mission) concerning the procurement of a community of religious to take charge of schools for girls.
Goold, James Alipius, 1812-1886, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Published letter from Fr Michael Watson SJ, St Patrick's College, Melbourne, Australia to the novices of the Irish Province concerning missions given by the fathers in Australia in various parts of the country.
Watson, Michael J, 1845-1931, Jesuit priest
Letter concerning the two fathers setting out from Ireland to establish the Australian Mission
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letter from the Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ, Milltown Park, Dublin to [ ] concerning two fathers setting out from Ireland to establish the Australian Mission (Fr William Kelly SJ and Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ). Refers to Fr Therry's brother in Cork who has agreed to co-operate in anyway so that the Jesuit fathers may secure their bequest.
O'Reilly, Edmund J, 1811-1878, Jesuit priest
Letter from the Superior of the Mission Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ to Father General
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Copy letter from the Superior of the Australian Mission Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ to Father General Peter Beckx SJ concerning the Australian Mission.
Lentaigne, Joseph, 1805-1884, Jesuit priest
Letter from the Irish Fr Provincial to the Bishop of Melbourne, on the arrival of two Jesuits
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Copy of a letter from Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ, Milltown Park, Dublin to the Bishop of Melbourne, James Alipius Goold, concerning the arrival of Frs Lentaigne and Kelly in Australia in order '...to take preliminary steps for the establishment of our Society in Melbourne.'
O'Reilly, Edmund J, 1811-1878, Jesuit priest
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Copy letter from the Superior of the Australian Mission Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ, St Patrick's College, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to Father General Peter Beckx SJ, Rome, Italy concerning the Australian Mission and his visit to Australia.
Lentaigne, Joseph, 1805-1884, Jesuit priest
Letters from Superior of the Mission, Australia to Fr Daniel Jones SJ
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
A file of letters from the Superior of the Australian Mission Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ, St Patrick's College, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to Fr Daniel Jones SJ (Socius) concerning the Australian Mission and the work being carried out.
Lentaigne, Joseph, 1805-1884, Jesuit priest
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Many Jesuit Provinces had missions in China before 1926 when the Vicar Apostolic of Hong Kong, Fr Henry Valtorta (1883-1953), invited the Irish Jesuits to his vicariate. In October 1926, Frs George Byrne (1879-1962) and John Neary (1889-1983) left Dublin for Hong Kong, which became a Mission for the Irish Province. They were joined, in early 1927, by Fr Daniel Finn (1886-1936) from Australia and later by Frs Richard Gallagher (1887-1960), Patrick Joy (1892-1970) and Daniel MacDonald (1891-1957).
The initial work of the mission concentrated in Hong Kong, with some teaching in Canton and Macao. Their works involved: reviving the Catholic journal, ‘The Rock’; the opening of a hostel (Ricci Hall) for Chinese Catholic students at the University of Hong Kong (1929-); their involvement in the Regional Seminary, Aberdeen, Hong Kong (1931-1964), Wah Yan College, Hong Kong (1932-) and Wah Yan College, Kowloon (1952-). Some lecturing occurred in the university, in areas such as archaeology, education, engineering, and geography. In Canton, Frs Michael Saul (1884-1932) and Joseph McCullough (1892-1932) died from cholera. Hong Kong was under Japanese occupation 1941 - 1945. The Irish Jesuits organised a school for refugees from Hong Kong in Macao and the Regional Seminary was also moved to Macao. Wah Yan College was closed in 1941 and reopened in 1945. Fr Thomas Ryan’s account “Jesuits under Fire in the siege of Hong Kong 1941” deals fully with this time.
After World War Two, the Irish Jesuits established a language school, student centre and parish in Canton. They were expelled by the Communists in [1953]. Wah Yan College grew and developed and further works included the foundation of a university hostel at Kingsmead Hall, Singapore and at Xavier Hall, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Other works of note that Irish Jesuits had a hand in establishing and running in Hong Kong include: the Hong Kong Housing Society (1938); Wah Yan Relief Association (1938); Shoeshine Boys Club (1952-1962); the Credit Union Movement (1962); Rehabilitation Centre for the Handicapped (1962); Catholic Marriage Advisory Council (1963); Road Safety Association for Schools (1964); Industrial Relations Institute (1968); Chinese Opera in English (1960s); Fisherman’s Children School (1960s) and Welfare for Police in the Training School. In 1966, Hong Kong became a Jesuit Vice-Province and in 1985, the Province of Macau-Hong Kong was established. Today, Hong Kong is a unit within the Chinese Jesuit Province.
Over a hundred Irish Jesuits have served in Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Singapore - 30 of whom are buried in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Hong Kong and two in mainland China.
Irish Jesuit Mission to Hong Kong, 1926-1966
Material relating to the Irish Jesuit Mission Office (The Ricci Mission Unit) based in Ireland
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
A file relating to the Irish Jesuit Mission Office (The Ricci Mission Unit) based in Ireland. The file contains financial information (accounts, donations and burses) relating to the Hong Kong mission, letters by Fr Thomas Martin SJ, relating to the administration of the Hong Kong mission and personnel/volunteers for the mission.
Ricci Mission Unit, Tullamore, County Offaly, 1928-
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
The Isle of Man Mission material details the building of chapels and schools in Douglas and Castletown by Fr Matthew Gahan SJ (1782-1837) and his work on the island. Born in Dublin, he entered the Society at Hodder, Lancashire, England in 1805 and left for the Isle of Man in 1826. He had previously spent 3 months on the island in 1817 and 1825. When he died there in February 1837, the Jesuit mission to the island ended.
Irish Vice-Province of the Society of Jesus, 1830-
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Since the formation of the Irish Province in 1860, Irish Jesuits have undertaken three main overseas missions (Australia, Hong Kong and Zambia). More than 120 Irish Jesuits have worked in Zambia. The Vice-Province of Zambia was formed in 1969 and the Province of Zambia and Malawi was established in 1992. The Irish Jesuits' work in Zambia is complemented by other Jesuit Provinces such as: Canada; Croatia; Oregon; Poland and Slovenia. The papers of the Zambian Mission chronicle the life and work of Irish Jesuits since their arrival, in what was then Northern Rhodesia, in 1946. The files of correspondence between Irish Jesuits working in Zambia and their Irish Provincials in Dublin illustrate the areas of work that they laboured in: parish work, education and development. Geographically, this took place in the southern part of the country and in the capital, Lusaka. The impact of the Irish presence is seen especially in Canisius High School and Charles Lwanga College of Education in Chikuni, the parishes in the Monze Diocese, and development projects around the diocese.
Irish Vice-Province of the Society of Jesus, 1830-
'Irish Jesuits Among the Mild Batonga'
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Booklet entitled 'Irish Jesuits Among the Mild Batonga' by Rev Joseph McSweeney SJ published by the Irish Messenger Office.
McSweeney, Joseph, 1909-1982, Jesuit priest, chaplian and missioner
Letter concerning the Irish Province decision to send Irish Jesuits to Northern Rhodesia
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letter from Fr Ladislaus Zabdyr SJ, Chikuni, PO Chisekesi, Northern Rhodesia to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin concerning the news that the Irish Province is to send Irish Jesuits to Northern Rhodesia. Explains the situation in the mission. Remarks 'Any man that can be spared and is willing to come will be welcome because at any time one can expect that some one of those still at work here may break down…'.
Zabdyr, Ladislaus, 1890-1968, Jesuit priest and missioner
Maps of Northern Rhodesia depicting SJ mission borders
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Maps of Northern Rhodesia depicting Jesuit mission borders.
Irish Jesuit Mission to Zambia, 1946-1969
Map of Northern Rhodesia depicting the Jesuit Mission stations
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Hand drawn map of Northern Rhodesia depicting the Jesuit Mission stations.
Map depicting educational establishments in Northern Rhodesia, Southern Province
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Map depicting educational establishments in Northern Rhodesia, Southern Province. Scale 1:500,000.
Further letter from Fr Ladislaus Zabdyr SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letter from Fr Ladislaus Zabdyr SJ, Chikuni, PO Chisekesi, Northern Rhodesia to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin imploring him to respond to his request for Irish Jesuits to be sent to the mission (1p). With airgraph copy.
Zabdyr, Ladislaus, 1890-1968, Jesuit priest and missioner
Order of the day in Northern Rhodesia
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Order of the day for the mission, divided into summer time and winter time.
Irish Jesuit Mission to Zambia, 1946-1969
Ecclesiastical administration of the Chikuni Mission in the Vicariate of Lusaka
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Memorandum on the ecclesiastical administration of the Chikuni Mission in the Vicariate of Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia.
Number of religious in the Catholic Mission, Northern Rhodesia
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Statement prepared by Fr Bruno Wolnik SJ, on the number of religious in the Catholic Mission, Northern Rhodesia 'Pro Archivo S.C. de Propangand Fide'.
Wolnik, Bruno, 1882-1960, Jesuit priest, missioner and apostolic prefect
Memorandum from the Procurator of the Missions
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Memorandum from the Procurator of the Missions. Includes a financial statement of the mission fund.
Chikuni Mission
Correspondence between Jesuits in Nothern Rhodesia and the Irish Fr Provincial during the year 1951
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
A file of letters written during the year 1951 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.
Correspondence between Jesuits in Nothern Rhodesia and the Irish Fr Provincial during the year 1952
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
A file of letters written during the year 1952 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.
Correspondence between Jesuits in Nothern Rhodesia and the Irish Fr Provincial during the year 1953
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
A file of letters written during the year 1953 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.
Correspondence between Jesuits in Nothern Rhodesia and the Irish Fr Provincial during the year 1954
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
A file of letters written during the year 1954 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letter from Fr Ladislaus Zabdyr SJ, Chikuni, PO Chisekesi, Northern Rhodesia to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin thanking him for sending two Irish Jesuits to the mission. Asks if more men can be spared for work in the mission. Includes a copy of a reply remarking that more men cannot be spared.
Zabdyr, Ladislaus, 1890-1968, Jesuit priest and missioner
Correspondence between Jesuits in Nothern Rhodesia and the Irish Fr Provincial during the year 1955
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
A file of letters written during the year 1955 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.
Correspondence between Jesuits in Nothern Rhodesia and the Irish Fr Provincial during the year 1956
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
A file of letters written during the year 1956 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.
Correspondence between Jesuits in Nothern Rhodesia and the Irish Fr Provincial during the year 1957
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
A file of letters written during the year 1957 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia. This mission was set up as a separate mission from Lusaka (Polish) in 1 January 1957.
Kozłowiecki, Adam, 1911-2007, Archbishop of Lusaka
Correspondence between Jesuits in Nothern Rhodesia and the Irish Fr Provincial during the year 1958
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
A file of letters written during the year 1958 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.
Kozłowiecki, Adam, 1911-2007, Archbishop of Lusaka
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letter from Fr Patrick J Connolly SJ, 35 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin urging him to consider taking over the Jesuit Mission of Northern Rhodesia from the Polish Province. Remarks 'The mission is a going concern: to take it over would cost nothing save in man-power. It has its residences, chapels, schools, landed property (some thousands of acres waiting to be exploited)'.
Connolly, Patrick J, 1875-1951 Jesuit priest and editor
Photograph of Frs John Coyne, Daniel Meagher and Joseph McCarthy
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Photograph of Irish Jesuits John Coyne, Daniel Meagher and Joseph McCarthy.
Photograph of the mission community, Zambia
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Photograph of the mission community, Zambia. Names on rear, given by Fr John Fitzgerald SJ (25/06/2010).
Seated L - R: Colm O'Riordan, Louis Meagher, Sean McCarron, Thomas Byrne, Jim Corboy, Des O'Loghlen, ?, John Fitzgerald.
1st row: L - R. Barney Collins (?), Eddie O'Connor, Tom McGivern, Joe McDonald, Teddy O'Brien (?), Joe Conway, Bob Kelly, Tommie O'Meara, Danny Byrne, Charlie O'Connor and Shaun Curran.
Back row: L - R. Sean O'Connor, ?,?, Des O'Connell, Fred Moriarty, Pat McDuff, Brother Joseph Duda, Jim Carroll, Br. McKinney, ?, Br. Charlie O'Connor, Paul Brassil, Jim Dunne, Paul Cullen, ?, Paddy Sherry.
Letters written from Nothern Rhodesia to the Irish Fr Provincial during the year 1948
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letters written from Jesuits in Northern Rhodesia to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ.
Historiae Domus for houses in the Chikuni Mission
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Historiae Domus for houses forming part of the Chikuni Mission, divided into sections relating to personnel, apostolic and spiritual life and events of import.
Letters written from Nothern Rhodesia to the Irish Fr Provincial during the year 1949
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letters written from Jesuits in Northern Rhodesia to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ.
Litterae Annuae for the Jesuit houses at Lusaka, Chivuna, Fumbo and Pemba
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
General Annual Histories of the Chikuni Mission with sections on Religious and Intellectual Life, Ministry and Health.
Letters from the Consultors of the Chikuni Mission
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Letters from the Consultors of the Chikuni Mission including Frs John Counihan, Arthur Clarke and Bernard Collins.
Counihan, John, 1916-2001, Jesuit priest
Correspondence between Jesuits in Nothern Rhodesia and the Irish Fr Provincial during the year 1950
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
A file of letters written during the year 1950 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia. Includes numerous letters relating to the announcement that eight Irish Jesuits are to be sent to the Chikuni Mission and the need for these men to learn the language (Chitonga). Many letters express concern over the lack of preparations being made for their arrival and a reluctance to comply with Fr General's instructions that all eight men are to be housed together for one year to obtain a firm grasp of the language.
'Irish Jesuits in Northern Rhodesia'
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Booklet entitled 'Irish Jesuits in Northern Rhodesia' by Rev Joseph McSweeney SJ published by the Irish Messenger Office.
McSweeney, Joseph, 1909-1982, Jesuit priest, chaplian and missioner
Medical expenses of Fr Patrick Walsh SJ
Part of Irish Jesuit Missions
Correspondence between the Archbishop of Lusaka, Fr Adam Kozlowiecki SJ, Fr John Kerr SJ , 87 Eglinton Road, Dublin 4 and Irish Fr Provincial Cecil McGarry SJ, relating to the illness and medical expenses of Fr Patrick Walsh SJ, Secretary to the Archbishop.
Kozłowiecki, Adam, 1911-2007, Archbishop of Lusaka