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Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr John MacErlean SJ on various matters

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr John MacErlean SJ on various matters including:
– Fr MacErlean’s censure on a Society Appeal for Funds;
– the progress of his historical research, news from Rome and news about the Society in Australia;
– the establishment of the Society in Ireland including a ‘list of whatever documents exist to my knowledge regarding the establishment of the Society in Ireland…What exactly the establishment of the Society in Ireland means I do not know. It may be a question for a canonist to solve. The canonical succession of the New Society to the Old is disputed, and Rome has never decided the point’;
– the proposed purchase of a volume consisting of ‘the indexes of the first eleven volumes of the Bollandist Acta Sanctorum down to the 3rd volume of April’ and the binding which is ‘much older than the contents…the binding of a Missal that was presented to Father (Nicholas) Leynach in 1613 - 14 by Francis Bray, at a time when Fr Leynach was trying to establish a chapel or oratory of the Society in Clonmel’;
– the Irish College in Rome;
– lists of books the Province could present to ‘the library to be established for the use of the Coll(egium) Scriptorum and a ‘list of those members of our Province who might now or hereafter be fit to cooperate with the Collegium Scriptorum in the production of works’ and a
– ‘Brief Sketch of the Work of the Irish Jesuits from the foundation to the Suppression of the Society 1540 – 1773’ (11pp).

MacErlean, John C, 1870-1950, Jesuit priest, historian and archivist

Correspondence with Dr John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin with the Irish Fr Provincial

Correspondence with Dr John Charles McQuaid, Archbishop of Dublin (mainly holograph letters from the Archbishop and copies of Irish Fr Provincial’s replies) on various matters. Includes letters concerning :

  • information for the Commission established to ‘investigate and report upon the existence and title of all collections for pious purposes in the Diocese of Dublin’;
  • the supply of Altar wine to the Society;
  • the appointment of Fr Thomas Counihan SJ to the Commission on Youth Unemployment;
  • his request ‘not to use candles at the end of Retreats and Missions during the present war-circumstances’;
  • the death of various Jesuits including Frs [Thomas Counihan], Michael Kirwan, James Tomkin, Laurence J. Kieran (former Provincial) and Vincent Byrne;
  • circular comprising the decisions of the 1942 October Meeting of the Hierarchy;
  • 1944 Decree concerning the education of Catholics in non-Catholic Schools, Colleges or Universities of the Dublin Diocese (See also ADMN/3/38);
  • the proposed visit of Fr Adelard Dugré SJ, ‘formerly an Assistant of our late Father General and now an Assistant of our Father Vicar General’ to Ireland and his appointment with the Archbishop;
  • the granting of diocesan faculties to various Jesuits and the results of diocesan examinations;
  • the ‘Solemn Votive mass’ to be celebrated in the Pro-Cathedral on 25 June 1945 on the occasion of the Inauguration of the President, Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh (See also ADMN/3/59 and 76);
  • copies of letters concerning the Archbishop’s instructions as to the ‘attitude to be adopted in regard to the strike declared by the Central Executive Committee of the Irish National Teachers’ Organization’ and the restoration of ‘normal conditions’ in the schools following the Teachers’ Strike;
  • the collection by secondary schools of used clothing ‘for the very destitute young people of Europe, especially the Catholics of Hungary’;
  • the answers of the Milltown Theological Faculty to certain questions posed ‘concerning the question of defining as a dogma of the Faith the doctrine that the Blessed Virgin Mary was assumed bodily into Heaven’;
  • statistical reports on the Society in Ireland required for the ‘Relatio Status’ of the Archbishop to the Holy See and for the Annuario Pontificio;
  • the appointment of Fr Thomas Counihan SJ to conduct the Thirty Days’ Exercises at Holy Cross College, Clonliffe in October 1947 and September 1948;
  • proposals to purchase Churchtown House, Dundrum for use as a secondary school and the alternative plan to build a school on grounds adjoining Milltown Park (See also 1950s correspondence with Archbishop McQuaid);
  • the institution of the ‘Tribunal for the Ordinary Informative Process in the Cause of the Beatification and Canonisation of the Servant of God, John Sullivan, Priest of your Society’ (24 October 1947, 1p.) (See also ADMN/3/24; 48 and 49);
  • the purchase of Baymount Castle, Dollymount for use as a Retreat House (Manresa House) (See also ADMN/3/6 and 74) and
  • letter of condolence following the fire at Milltown Park in 1949 (11 February 1949, 1p.).

McQuaid, John Charles, 1895-1973, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial mostly from various Jesuit Superiors/Rectors seeking Irish Jesuits to fill posts left vacant following and during the War

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial mostly from various Jesuit Superiors/Rectors seeking Irish Jesuits to fill teaching and other posts left vacant following and during the War. Includes requests from Bombay, Madeira, Calcutta, Ceylon and Malta.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Jesuits seeking help relating to post-war travelling arrangements and material aid

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Jesuit Fathers and Provincials seeking help in various matters relating to post-war travelling arrangements and material aid. Includes letters from Jesuits from Germany, Austria, Belgium, Greece, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary seeking opportunities to study in Ireland and correspondence between Irish Fr Provincial and the Department of External Affairs concerning the visit of a German scholastic to Ireland to complete his studies.

Letters to the Irish Provincial on various matters

Letters to the Irish Provincial on various matters. Includes letters concerning:

  • Polish scholastics coming to Ireland to study;
  • the censuring individual scholastics;
  • financial matters of the late Fr Henry Browne SJ;
  • the taking of villas during wartime;
  • a report on Irish theologians in Hong Kong;
  • the question of censorship of various publications (See also ADMN/3/1 and 23);
  • the question of Jesuit support for the Catholic Association for International Relations;
  • a proposal by Fr Patrick J Connolly SJ to open a Jesuit school in Dartry;
  • the Secret Instruction of the Holy See: Normae Quaedam De Agendi Ratione Confessariorum Circa VI Decalogi Praeceptum;
  • the prohibition of female characters in plays produced by scholastics;
  • comments on Director’s Service from Sodality reports of summer 1944 (See also ADMN/3/65 and 74);
  • the publication of a book entitled Selected Writings of Father Ledochowski (See also ADMN/3/44);
  • an invitation to the Irish Fr Provincial to the inauguration of President Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh (see also ADMN/3/43 and 76) in June 1945, signed by Taoiseach Éamon de Valera;
  • relations with the Confederación Nacional de Congregaciones Marians;
  • the proposal to purchase Crawfordsburn Estate, County Down (see also ADMN/3/6);
  • the Chair of Education in University College, Dublin and
  • some suggestions about choirs in the Province.

Belgian refugees in Ireland

Letters, telegrams, memoranda and notes relating to Belgian refugees in Ireland. Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ was a member of the Distribution Committee ‘appointed by the Local Government Board to look after the welfare and distribution of the Belgian Refugees arriving in Dublin’. Most of the letters comprise offers to house refugees or concern schemes to aid them, both physically and spiritually. Includes:
– letter from Dr Bernard Coyne, Bishop of Elphin (1913-1926) to Lady Moloney seeking her assistance in the securement of a disused barracks in order to provide shelter for Belgian refugee families (21 Oct. 1914, 1p.);
– bills from drapers and household stores for items purchased for the refugees;
– letters relating to troubles between Protestants and the Catholic refugees in Portadown;
– letters to Fr Nolan from refugees and members of the Belgian Refugees Committee;
– lists of names and locations of refugees in Ireland and names and addresses of people who housed refugees.

On 17 October 1914, the Father Provincial of the Irish Province of the Society of Jesus, Thomas V. Nolan, received a letter from the Local Government Board to go down to the North Wall at 7.30am on the 18th and meet the 100 Belgian refugees ‘and one hundred each of the following days’. This was due to ‘a few of your Order, who speak Flemish’. Subsequently, the Irish Provincial became a member of the Distribution Committee which looked after the welfare and distribution of refugees arriving in Ireland. The Irish Jesuits received offers to house the refugees and organised schemes to aid them, both physically and spiritually.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial and printed pamphlets relating to the First World War

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial and printed pamphlets relating to the War. Includes: circular sent to the Irish Fr Provincial from the Irish Volunteers protesting against the proposal to introduce conscription in Ireland;
– letter from the Irish National Aid and Volunteer Dependants’ Fund seeking contributions towards their ‘Gift Sale’ in order to raise funds [for the administration of the campaign against the introduction of conscription];
– circular and printed matter from the Irish War Savings Committee seeking support for their ‘Thrift campaign’;
– letter from the Lord Lieutenant’s Private Secretary regarding a proposal to establish a fund ‘to be devoted to the purchase of literature suited to be despatched to Irish Regiments at the front’, also includes copy of Irish Fr Provincial’s reply;
– copy letter from Andrew Bonar Law (Treasury Chambers, Whitehall) to the Irish Fr Provincial seeking a subscription to ‘the new War Loan’.
Also includes printed matter on ‘Catholicism and War’; ‘Voluntary Women Patrols’ and an ‘Address From the French Catholic Association for Young People. To the young Catholics – Allies and Neutrals’.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V Nolan SJ mainly from Archbishop’s House, Westminster

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V Nolan SJ mainly from Archbishop’s House, Westminster, London, England concerning the nomination of various Irish Jesuits as chaplains to the forces. Includes letters concerning Fr Joseph Wrafter’s nomination as chaplain to prisoners of war in Holland, a move contested by the Provincial who saw it in effect, as ‘putting him (Fr Wrafter) on the shelf’ (26 December 1917 – 15 January 1918, 3 items).

McClement, Fr Kerr

Letters from Fr Willie Doyle SJ to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr Willie Doyle SJ written during his time as a chaplain attached to the 8th Brigade Irish Fusiliers, 49th Brigade, and the 8th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, B.E.F., France. Missing original letter 31 December 1915, but have photocopy.

Doyle, Willie, 1873-1917, Servant of God, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ following Fr Willie Doyle’s death

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ following Fr Willie Doyle’s death in action on 17 August 1917, from Fr Kerr McClement, Archbishop’s House, Westminster, Fr William Feran SJ, English Province, Farm Street, London and Fr M. O'Connell, Senior Chaplain (R.C.), H.Q., 16th Division, B.E.F..

Feran, William, 1869-1942, Jesuit priest

Letters and postcards to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr John Elliott SJ

Letters and postcards to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr John Elliott SJ, written during his time serving as a military chaplain in Catterick Camp, Yorkshire and at the Officer's Hospital, Burley on the Hill, Oakham, Rutland, England.

Postcard of Burley on the Hill, Oakham, Rutlandshire - ‘This is a gorgeous place inside + outside. It is the finest house I have ever seen. Charles and I stayed here when it belonged to the Duke of Buckingham’, (28 October 1918) where Fr Elliott convalesced from a bout of double pneumonia (‘I am only 8st 7lbs with my clothes on’).

Elliott, John J, 1857-1942, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Various memoranda sent to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ

Various memoranda sent to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ. Includes lists of Irish Jesuit chaplains and their addresses; estimates for chaplain’s uniform; memoranda concerning the appeal for military chaplains serving at home and abroad and their origins and ‘Memorial to the Irish Hierarchy re Shortage of Catholic Chaplains.’ Includes:

  • remembrance card for the 2nd Battalion of Irish Guards, attending mission in Cologne, January 1919;
  • name card (O.H.M.S) for wounded man's kit, belonging to Lieut Sheil, No 2. Squadron, R.A.F. (Frac. skull);
  • carte postale depicting Fr Frank Browne and Irish soldiers at Loudres, France, 30 October 1918;
  • carte postale depicting Fr Jerome O'Mahony's altar, 23 September 1918;

Documents relating to Fr John FitzGibbon SJ during his time serving as a chaplain

Documents relating to Fr John FitzGibbon SJ during his time serving as a chaplain attached to 23rd and 16th Field Ambulance, B.E.F., France. Includes letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr FitzGibbon (14 March 1916 – [April 1918], 19 items) and documents relating to Fr FitzGibbon’s death in action on 18 September 1918, including official letters from General Headquarters, British Armies in France, solicitors’ letters and official certificate of death (20 September 1918 – 25 May 1919, 16 items).

FitzGibbon, John, 1882-1918, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Documents relating to Fr Joseph Flinn’s during his time serving as a chaplain

Documents relating to Fr Joseph Flinn’s time as a chaplain attached to VI Corps Rest Station North, 10th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, the Munster Fusiliers, the 60th and 88th Brigade, R.G.A., B.E.F., France. Includes: certificate appointing Fr Flinn Chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class, Land Forces (Temporary) (22 March 1917, 1p.);
– letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr Flinn written from the Front (31 January 1917 – 10 October 1918, 21 items).

Flinn, Daniel Joseph, 1877-1943, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to Fr Henry Gill SJ from Mary Maura Ostyn, O.S.B., Prioress of Ypres

Letters to Fr Henry Gill SJ from Mary Maura Ostyn, O.S.B., Prioress of Ypres, 11 Harwood Avenue, London, England asking Fr Gill to salvage the contents of the Benedictine abbey at Ypres. Contains details of all the convent’s treasures and where they have been hidden. Includes letter from Baron H. Kervyn de Letterrhov[e] concerning the destroyed treasures.

Ostyn, Mary Maura, 1868-1940, Benedictine sister

Miscellaneous letters and notes to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ

Miscellaneous letters and notes to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ. Includes rough notes of wages and expenditure of various Jesuit chaplains (n.d., 3pp),and replies from the Senior Chaplain, Australian Imperial Force on transport to Australia for acting chaplain. Includes a note from Fr William Feran SJ, that he has commissioned him (Fr Henry Gill SJ) to discover and exterminate the influenza microbe' (18 December 1918).

Feran, William, 1869-1942, Jesuit priest

Documents relating to Fr John Gwynn's service as a chaplain

Documents relating to Fr John Gwynn's service as a chaplain attached to the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards, B.E.F., France. Includes:

  • letters written by Fr John Gwynn volunteering to be a chaplain (23 August – 8 November 1914, 2 items);
  • documentation dealing with Fr Gwynn's appointment as a military chaplain (9 November 1914 - 16 March 1915, 9 items) including the certificate appointing him chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class, Land Forces, (Temporary) (16 March 1915, 1p.);
  • certificate of safe conduct with attached photo of Fr Gwynn (4 July 1915, 1p.);
  • letters and notes sent to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ (n.d., 3 items);
  • official letters sent to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ following Fr Gwynn’s death in action on 12 October 1915 (11 October 1915 – 19 September 1921, 23 items);
  • pamphlet 'A Great Irish Chaplain: Father John Gwynn SJ' by John Bithrey SJ (n.d., 20pp);
  • material on centenary of Fr Gwynn's death - the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton celebrated Mass at the Sacred Heart Church, Caterham, Surrey, England where the Irish Guards have erected a tablet in Fr Gwynn’s memory (11 October 2015).

Gwynn, John, 1866-1915, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Documents relating to Fr Austin Hartigan's service as military chaplain

Documents relating to Fr Austin Hartigan's service as military chaplain. Includes:
– certificate appointing Fr Hartigan chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class, Land Forces (Temporary) (12 January 1916, 1p.);
– letters written to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ by Fr Hartigan while serving in Mesopotamia with the Connaught Rangers (20 March 1916 – n.d., 5 items);
– documents relating to Fr Hartigan's death in Amara on 16 July 1916 (from jaundice) (27 July 1916 - 15 August 1918, 12 items).

Hartigan, Jeremiah Austin, 1882-1916, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letter and postcard to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr Joseph Hearn SJ

Letter and postcard to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr Joseph Hearn SJ, written during his time serving as chaplain attached to the Australian Expeditionary Force, Dardanelles and the 7th Infantry Battalion, II Infantry Brigade, A.I.F., Mediterranean.

Hearn, Joseph, 1854-1941, Jesuit priest

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr James McCann SJ written during his time as chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr James McCann SJ written during his time as chaplain to the 4th Reserve Battery, R.G.A., Winchester and Sialkot C.F.A. 4th Cavalry Division, Supply Column, B.E.F., France. Also includes items relating to the ill health (The Prince of Wales', Hospital for Officers), renewal of Fr McCann’s contract as chaplain and his demobilisation. (See also CHP1/10/1 which is a letter from Fr McCann to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ 12 June [1917]).

McCann, James, 1875-1951, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Stanislaus MacLoughlin SJ written while serving as a chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr Stanislaus McLoughlin SJ written while serving as a chaplain attached 12th (2nd Reserve) Battalion and the 58th T.R. Battalion, The Welsh Regiment, Rhyl and 53rd S.W.B., Rhyl.

MacLoughlin, Stanislaus, 1863-1956, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters and postcards from Fr Patrick Morris SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial written while serving as chaplain

Letters and postcards from Fr Patrick Morris SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ written while serving as chaplain to 2/8 Battalion, L.F., Sobraon Barracks, Colchester and also in France, before being sent back to England in November 1917 with ‘clinical dysentery.’

Morris, Patrick J, 1882-1966, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters and postcards from Fr Hugh Mulhall SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial written during his time as a chaplain

Letters and postcards from Fr Hugh Mulhall SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ written during his time as a chaplain to the 3/1st East Lancashire Division, Codford, Wiltshire and 5th East Lancashire Regiment, Witley Camp, Surrey and in Park Hall Camp, Oswestry.

Mulhall, Hugh, 1871-1948, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters and postcards from Fr Francis X O'Brien SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ written while a chaplain

Letters and postcards from Fr Francis X O'Brien SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ written while a chaplain attached to the No. 5 Prisoners of War Company, B.E.F., France and the 30th General Hospital, B.E.F., France.

O'Brien, Francis X, 1881-1974, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters from Fr Jerome O'Mahony SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ written during his time as a chaplain

Letters from Fr Jerome O'Mahony SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ written during his time as a chaplain in the 5th Canadian General Hospital Salonika, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, the 43rd General Hospital Salonika, H.M.H.S. “Egypt,” the 78th General Hospital Alexandra and P.L. of C., Haifa, Palestine, E.E.F.

O'Mahony, Jerome C, 1869-1930, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr Bernard Page SJ written during his time as a chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr Bernard Page SJ written during his time as a chaplain with the No. 2 Cavalry Field Ambulance, B.E.F., France. Includes letter of complaint to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ (12 April 1917, 6pp) re Fr Page and Fr Page’s replies (22 – 30 April 1917, 3 items).

Page, Bernard F, 1877-1948, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr Francis M Shaw SJ while serving as chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr Francis M Shaw SJ written while serving as chaplain in France, India and Mesopotamia (3rd General Hospital, B.E.F., France; No. 37 and No. 17 Casualty Clearing Station, B.E.F., France; 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment, B.E.F., France; 11th Field Ambulance, B.E.F., France; No. 16 Casualty Clearing Station, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force).

Shaw, Frank M, 1881-1924, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ concerning Fr Sydes’ death in London on 15 November 1918

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from the Senior Chaplain (R.C.), Australian Imperial Force, [Fr Thomas King] and Frs William Feran and John H Wright, Farm Street, London concerning Fr Sydes’ death in London on 15 November 1918 as a result of bronchitis and thrombosis.

Feran, William, 1869-1942, Jesuit priest

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr Patrick Tighe SJ while serving as chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr Patrick Tighe SJ written while serving as chaplain with the 15th Battalion, A.I.F., B.E.F. and on his way to Australia. Named places have been cut out of a letter (24 January 1917).

Tighe, Patrick, 1866-1920, Jesuit, priest, chaplain and missionary

Correspondence between Thomas V. Nolan SJ, the War Office and T. Stratton, Staff Officer to Principal Chaplain

Correspondence between the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ, the War Office and T. Stratton, Staff Officer to Principal Chaplain (R.C.), concerning the demobilisation of various Irish Jesuits and the need for chaplains for transport ships to Australia.

Nolan, Thomas V, 1867-1941, Jesuit priest

Scrapbook belonging to Rev. Major Henry Gill SJ

Scrapbook belonging to Rev. Major Henry Gill SJ. Includes letters from the War Office and memorabilia relating to his tasks as chaplain to the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles.

Gill, Henry V, 1872-1945, Jesuit priest, scientist and chaplain

Letters and postcards from Fr Frank Browne SJ to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ

Letters and postcards to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ from Fr Francis M. Browne SJ, written during his time serving as a chaplain to the forces – 1st and 2nd Battalions, Irish Guards, British Expeditionary Force, France and 2nd Battalions, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 16th Division.

Browne, Francis M, 1880-1960, Jesuit priest, photographer and chaplain

Letters from Jesuits volunteering to serve as chaplains

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial Laurence J. Kieran SJ from various Jesuits volunteering to become military chaplains following the outbreak of the Second World War. Includes letters from: Frs Michael J. Morrison SJ (See CHP2/29), Arthur Little SJ, Fr Edward J. Coyne SJ, Joseph Garland SJ, Thomas Shuley SJ, Richard Kennedy SJ (See CHP2/23), Leonard Sheil SJ, James McCann SJ and Michael Pelly SJ (See CHP2/33).

Letters and notes to Irish Fr Provincial from various Jesuits during the Second World War

Letters and notes to the Irish Fr Provincial from various Jesuits (former Irish Fr Provincial Kieran) and others, including letters from A. Parisoth (H.Q. Northern Command, York), T.F. Duggan (H.Q. Northern Ireland District, Lisburn) and T.D. Roberts, Archbishop of Bombay. Includes references to chaplains Frs Thomas Martin SJ, Fergus Cronin SJ, Michael O'Meara SJ Michael Pelly SJ and John Hayes SJ, and doctor's bill for examining eight chaplains.

Parisoth, A.

Letters to Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Alan Birmingham SJ written during his time as a chaplain

Letters to Irish Fr Provincial John MacMahon SJ from Fr Alan Birmingham SJ written during his time as a chaplain attached to the 2nd Battalion, The Loyal Regiment in Sussex and Northern Ireland; 32 Casualty Clearing Station in England and France; 4 Army Group Royal Artillery, B.L.A. in France and Germany; 150th Infantry Brigade in Southern India and the Indian Artillery Centre, Kamaredi. Includes description of his role in the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944 (16 November 1944, 4pp) and his last letter written on his way home (29 September 1946, 2pp).

Birmingham, Alan, 1911-1991, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Matthias Bodkin SJ written during his time as chaplain in the Royal Navy

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Matthias Bodkin SJ written during his time as chaplain in the Royal Navy based at R.N. Base, Derry, Northern Ireland (refers to trips to the Arctic Circle and Western Australia) and serving on the battleship H.M.S. Anson in the East. Includes;

  • Letter concerning his finances (February 1945, 10pp) and draft of Fr Provincial’s reply (25 February 1945, 2pp);
  • Letter from Sergeant Major D.J. Fitzgerald (R.M. Detachment) of H.M.S. Anson describing Fr Bodkin’s activities in Malta (4 June 1945, 3pp);
  • Letters describing his trip to Hong Kong, his visit with the Mission there (12 August – 25 October 1945, 12 items);
  • News of the various Jesuits in Hong Kong and how they have fared during the occupation;
  • Description of Tokyo (December 1945, 2 items); a ‘rough memory draft’ of his expenditure (1p.)
  • Draft copy of letter from the Provincial to Fr Bodkin concerning his finances (5 January 1946, 2pp) (letter was never sent).

Bodkin, Matthias, 1896-1973, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr John Burden SJ

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr John Burden SJ written while serving as chaplain in Catterick Camp, Yorkshire and with the 6th King’s Own Scottish Borders in Northumberland; in Nottingham (where he was promoted to Senior Chaplain (S.C.F. (R.C.) ); in India, South Africa and Iraq with Paiforce (Persian and Iraq Forces); 114th Rest/Transit Camp; 162nd Transit Camp in Damascus and Palestine. Some letters in the form of airgraphs. Includes his last letter written on 28 March 1946 concerning his release from the Army in May.

Burden, John, 1907-1974, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Fergus Cronin SJ

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Fergus Cronin SJ written during his time as a chaplain while serving in the Royal Artillery Service Corps in Barry, South Wales; the Faeroe Islands; 101 Military Convalescent Depot, Grange Camp, Bedford and with Paiforce in Iraq. Includes:

  • His first letter reporting that he has been informed by the War Office of his appointment as military chaplain effective from 11 May 1942 (24 April 1942, 1p.);
  • References to the question of his direct repatriation to Hong Kong (9 January – 22 July 1946, 5 items) and waiting in Haifa in July 1946 to go to Cairo, there to await repatriation to Hong Kong.

Cronin, Fergus, 1909-1990, Jesuit priest

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Leo Donnelly SJ

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Leo Donnelly SJ written while serving as chaplain in Great Yarmouth and Stalham, Norfolk with the 11th York and Lancasters; in 35th Casualty Clearing Station; 73rd General Hospital, Hatfield; with 5th Kings Regiment in Scotland; 10th Beach Group in France; 9 [Lines of Communications] Unit in France and 2nd Battalion of the Irish Guards.

Donnelly, Leo, 1903-1999, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Maurice Dowling SJ

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Maurice Dowling SJ written during his time serving as a chaplain in the 11th General Hospital in Peebles; Military Hospital, Drymen, Scotland; with the Shetland Defence Forces in Lerwick; in North Africa with the 58th [Heavy Anti-Aircraft] Regiment, Royal Artillery, B.N.A.F.; 3 L.C.U.; with the 167th Field Ambulance, C.M.F. and 2nd A.G.R.A., C.M.F.; with the 4th Battalion, Oxford and Bucks. in Norfolk and 2nd Army and 21st Army Group in Germany. Includes his first letter written to the Provincial from the 11th General Hospital (1 January 1942, 2pp), Fr Dowling’s memorial card (with photograph), and airgraphs from North Africa.

Dowling, Maurice, 1896-1965, Jesuit priest, chaplain and missioner

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Gerard Guinane SJ

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Gerard Guinane SJ written while serving as chaplain with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Ulster Fusiliers in various locations throughout England, in Hawick, Scotland and in Catterick Camp, Yorkshire.

Guinane, Gerard, 1900-1971, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Documents and letters relating to Fr John Hayes’ career before becoming a military chaplain

Documents and letters relating to Fr John Hayes’ career before becoming a military chaplain. Includes:

  • Letter of John Hayes to the Irish Fr Provincial John Fahy SJ in reply to Fr Fahy’s instructions that Mr Hayes goes to Tullabeg (Novitiate), County Offaly on 1st September (Fr Hayes entered the Society on 1 September 1925) (5 August 1925, 1p);
  • John Hayes’ confidential medical report, prepared by Dr M.S. McGrath for the Provincial (25 June 1925, 1p)
  • ‘Informatio de Candidato’ – reports on John Hayes by five Jesuits for the Provincial (n.d., 5 items);
  • Letter from Mr John Hayes SJ to Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ regarding his application to go on the Mission in Alaska (6 August 1932, 1p) and
  • Copy letter to Mr John Hayes SJ from the Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ relating to ‘two faults…(that)…have been mentioned in the Informationes taken recently concerning you to which I must call your attention’ (26 July 1936, 1p);
  • letter to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ from Fr Louis Lachal SJ, Loyola, Watsonia, Victoria, Australia (20 February 1945, 2pp) enclosing 'a letter for Frank Hayes, John's brother'...'The news of John's death was a big knock to those of us out here who knew him well'. Mentions Fr Victor Turner SJ in POW camp, Tokyo.
    See also CHP2/35 (43);CHP2/35 (44) and CHP2/31
  • Dog collar identification for Rev. John Hayes C.F. RC, 199879. See CHP2/18

Hayes, John, 1909-1945, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr John Hayes SJ written while serving as chaplain

Letters and airgraphs to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr John Hayes SJ written while serving as chaplain attached to 393 Battery, 99th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery; in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire; with 144 Regiment, R.A.C. in Rufford Abbey, Ollerton, Notts., Aldburn Camp, Herts., Minstead and Malwood, Lyndhurst, Hants., Risborough Barracks, Folkestone, Kent; with the 6th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Rye, Sussex and 36th Indian Division in India and Northern Burma. Fr Hayes was made Senior Chaplain (S.C.F. (R.C.) in his division in January 1944. His last communication is a New Years note for 1945 (28 November 1944, 1p.).

Hayes, John, 1909-1945, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial and others seeking chaplains

Letters and telegrams to Irish Fr Provincial Fr Laurence J. Kieran SJ (and from 8 September 1941, Fr John MacMahon SJ) from Monsignor J.M. Coghlan (Principal Chaplain (Roman Catholic) and Vicar General, British Army, War Office) and Fr Edward J. Warner SJ (Staff Chaplain to Mgr. Coghlan), seeking chaplains to serve in the forces and thanking Irish Fr Provincial for those he has offered.

Coghlan, John, 1888-1963, Roman Catholic Monsignor and chaplain

Telegrams and letters to the Provincial from various sources following the death of Fr John Hayes SJ

Telegrams and letters to the Provincial from various sources following the death of Fr John Hayes SJ from typhus on 21 January 1945. Includes: telegram from the Rector of Crescent College Limerick to the Provincial (John McMahon SJ) informing him that the War Office had ‘wired Mrs. Hayes that Father John died of typhus Jan 21st’ (26 January 1945, 1p.);
– note of acknowledgement to the Provincial from Frank G. Hayes (Fr Hayes’ brother) (27 January 1945, 1p.);
– copy of letter sent to the Rector of Belvedere College (James Gubbins SJ) from Old Belvederian (1923-1931) and comrade of Fr Hayes, Captain W.A. Ward following the death of Fr Hayes (27 January 1945, 1p.);
– copy of letter sent by Joseph Gardner, S.C.F. (R.C.) (Senior Catholic Chaplain, Allied Land Forces, South East Asia) to Mgr. John Coghlan (Principal R.C. Chaplain, War Office, London) giving further details of Fr Hayes’ death (28 January 1945, 1p.);
– letter from Mgr. Coghlan to the Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ (29 January 1945; 2pp);
– letters from Rev. A. Clancy (Senior Catholic Chaplain, H.Q. 36th Division, South East Asia) and from Rev. J. Gardner, S.C.F. (R.C.) to Irish Fr Provincial John R McMahon SJ (29 January 1945, 2 items, 1p. each);
– copy of letter sent to Mrs. Hayes by her son’s Commanding Officer, Major-General Francis Festing, following his death (23 January 1945, 2pp);
– letter from Agnes Hayes to Irish Fr Provincial (13 February 1945, 1p.);
– letter to Irish Fr Provincial John R McMahon SJ from George Hickson, the chaplain who was with Fr Hayes before he died (15 February 1945, 3pp);
– copy of letter from Rev. J. Gardner to Fr D. Donnelly SJ (St. Stanislaus High School, Bandra, Bombay) listing the articles of ecclesiastical equipment of the late Fr Hayes, which Fr Gardner is sending to Fr Donnelly (17 March 1945, 1p.);
– copy of an Appreciation of Fr Hayes written by Rev. Terence M. Hogan, C.F. (R.C.)(Fr Hayes’ Senior Chaplain for six months) (19 March 1945, 1p.) and
– label tags ‘O.H.M.S. Deceased Officer’s Kit’ for Fr Hayes’ property (n.d., 3 items).

Coghlan, John, 1888-1963, Roman Catholic Monsignor and chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Laurence Kearns SJ written during his time as a chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Laurence Kearns SJ written during his time as a chaplain serving with various anti-aircraft units: 117 Z.A.A. Battery, 7 (M) Z.A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery: Stockton-on-Tees; 107 Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Surrey; 32 Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade: France; 52nd Lowland Scottish Infantry Division, 157 Infantry Brigade: Holland, Germany, Belsen and in Garrisson Catholic Church, Bordon, Hants. Includes:

  • his first letter to the Provincial from Edinburgh (18 September 1943, 2pp);
    – photographs of Fr Kearns blessing the graves of British falen 1940 and his driver, Liet. Joseph McPatlan (November, December 1944, 6 items: 8½cm x 6cm);
    – copies of extracts from Irish Province News on the chaplains (14 – 28 January 1945, 2 items, 1p. each);
    – letters describing his car accident (24 June 1945, 8pp), operations to rebuild his damaged face and his convalescence (11 July – 21 December 1945, 5 items).

Kearns, Laurence M, 1912-1986, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Documents relating to Fr Richard Kennedy SJ as a Japanese prisoner of war in Taiwan

Documents relating to Fr Richard Kennedy SJ as a Japanese prisoner of war in Taiwan. Includes:
– cutting from The Times listing Fr Richard Kennedy SJ as a POW (1 December 1942, 1p.);
– postcard from Fr Richard Kennedy SJ in a POW camp in Taiwan to Fr Provincial (1943);
– letters from Fr Kennedy’s brother, Denis P. Kennedy SJ to Irish Fr Provincial, informing him of letters received by Fr Kennedy’s family (13 July, 30 September 1944, 2 items).

Kennedy, Richard J, 1906-1986, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Richard Kennedy SJ immediately after the Second World War

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Richard Kennedy SJ from the 5th Replacement Camp, Manila, Philippines, Military Hospital, Moira, County Down and the College of the Rhine Army, Göttingen, following his time as a Japanese POW. immediately

Kennedy, Richard J, 1906-1986, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Sydney Lennon SJ written while serving as a chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Sydney Lennon SJ written while serving as a chaplain attached to 4th King’s Own Scottish Borders at Ford, Midlothian and Alloa, Clackmannonshir in Anti-Aircraft Unit; in various locations around Scotland; in Nottingham and on the hospital ship Dorsetshire. Includes his first letter written to Irish Fr Provincial from Scotland (5 September 1941, 4pp).

Lennon, Sydney C, 1906-1979, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr John Anthony MacSeumais SJ written while serving as a chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Anthony MacSeumais SJ written while serving as chaplain in the R.A.F. at R.A.F. Stations in Cosford, Wolverhampton, Staffs. and Leuchars, Fife, Scotland; with the 5023 Airfield Construction Squadron in Holland and Germany and 124 Wing in Lübeck. Includes his first letter to the Irish Fr Provincial written from Belfast (March 1944, 2pp) and letter in which he lists all the places he has served since arriving in Belgium (1 June 1945, 4pp). This letter also contains Fr MacSeumais’s only reference to Belsen Concentration Camp. Also includes Fr MacSeumais’s memorial card (with photograph) (Fr MacSeumais died on 13 January 1989).

MacSeumais, J Anthony, 1910-1989, Jesuit priest

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Joseph McSweeney SJ written while serving as a chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Joseph McSweeney SJ written while serving as a chaplain in the R.A.F. at R.A.F. College, Cosford, Wolverhampton and at R.A.F. Station, Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire. Includes his first letter to the Irish Fr Provincial written from Cosford (June 1945, 1p.).

McSweeney, Joseph, 1909-1982, Jesuit priest, chaplian and missioner

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Thomas J. Martin SJ written while serving as chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Thomas J Martin SJ written while serving as chaplain with the 4th King’s Own Scottish Borders in Alloa, Clackmannonshire and Buckie, Banff, Scotland; with the 155th Infantry Brigade in Scotland; the 12th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Essex, France and Holland and while based in Palace Barracks, Holywood, Northern Ireland. Fr Martin was sent home from Holland as a result of an eye infection and was released from the Army on health grounds at the end of 1945/beginning of 1946.

Martin, Thomas, 1907-1978, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Michael Morrison SJ written while serving as chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial to Fr Michael Morrison SJ written while serving as a chaplain with 2/5th Bn. Welch Regiment in Sussex; M.E.F. (in a Convalescent Depot, unknown location); No. 13 General Hospital, M.E.F.; 2/8 Lancashire Fusiliers in Derry; 1/4th The South Lancashire Regiment in Castlewellan, County Down; 32 (Br.) Casualty Clearing Station, B.L.A. ; 121 (Br.) General Hospital, B.L.A.; 601 Regiment, Royal Artillery, B.A.O.R. and 113 Light Anti-Aircraft, R.A., B.A.O.R.. Includes letters describing Belsen Concentration Camp (18 April, 31 May 1945, 5pp) and letters concerning an article on Belsen written by Fr Morrison (Fr Morrison was one of the first priests to enter the camp) (17 July - 16 August 1945, 3 items).

Morrison, Michael, 1908-1973, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Memoranda and notes, lists relating to chaplains in the Second World War

Memoranda and notes relating to chaplains and lists of those serving as chaplains. Includes:
– Memorandum on 'Emergency Arrangement for Irish Army Chaplains', Clongowes Wood College, 1939;
– Draft of letter sent by Irish Fr Provincial to Frs Thomas O'Donnell, James Bates, [James] Stephenson and Leo Donnelly; inquiring if they would be willing to ‘work for God as a military chaplain’ (n.d., 1p.);
– Note listing names of first two ‘batches’ of chaplains and the dates of their departures from Dublin (n.d., 1p.)
– Lists of ‘Volunteers for post of Army Chaplain’ (17 February 1942, 2pp, n.d., 1p.).

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Conal Murphy SJ written while serving as chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Conal Murphy SJ, written while serving as a chaplain with the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers in Christchurch and Aldershot, Hants., Langholm, Dumfriesshire and The Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire; 587 Field Company, [Royal Engineers], Estate Camp, Inverkip, Scotland and in North Africa; 78th Division, British North Africa Force in Tunisia and 78th Division, Central Mediterranean Force (C.M.F.) in Sicily and Italy; 67 Garrison, B.N.A.F. in Tunisia and No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station, Italy, C.M.F., and Austria. Includes his first letter to the Irish Fr Provincial written from Salisbury (4 September 1941, 2pp); letter from Ursula Murphy [Fr Murphy’s sister] to Fr Coyne stating she had received word that Fr Murphy had gone overseas (1 December 1941, 1p.); letter to Fr Michael O’Meara (See CHP2/32) (13 October 1943, 1p.) and letter to Fr Provincial from Fr Murphy written on ‘a memorable day, the end of the war in Italy’ (2 May 1945, 2pp). Includes leaflets for the Service of Remembrance and Dedication at St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin in which Fr Conal Murphy SJ contributed to (1976; 1978), and photograph of Fr Conal Murphy SJ in military chaplains uniform, with military ribbon rack underneath.

Murphy, Conal K, 1902-1979, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Conor Naughton SJ written during his time as a chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Conor Naughton SJ written during his time as a chaplain with the 10th Rifle Brigade in Saffron Walden, Essex; in Hadleigh Militia Camp, Chapel Lane, Hadleigh (an Anti-Aircraft unit); in Stoke Military Hospital, North Bovey, Devon; based in St Michael’s House, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot, Hants.; Richmond Arms Hotel, Goodwood, Sussex; 47th General Hospital, Mhow, Central India; with 2nd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment in India; in No. 3 Indian British General Hospital, Poona, India; Combined Military Hospital, Wāltair R.S. and with 14th Battalion, [Durham Light Infantry] in Drake West Camp, Dorset. Fr Naughton took his final vows in Manresa House (England) on 4 February 1942. Includes letter to Irish Fr Provincial from T. Naughton (Fr Naughton’s [father]) (27 July 1942, 1p.) and numerous references to Fr John Hayes SJ (See CHP2/18).

Naughton, Conor I, 1907-1992, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Michael O'Meara SJ written during his time as a chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Michael O'Meara SJ written during his time as a chaplain in Squire’s Gate Camp, Lytham St Annes, Blackpool; Abbots Lea, Woolton, Liverpool; Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire; Park Lea, Park Lane, Salford; Upper Chine School, Shanklin, Isle of Wight; with the 44th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade, B.L.A. in France and Holland; 8th Infantry Brigade, B.A.O.R. in Egypt and I.S. Lan. R., M.E.F. in Egypt.

O'Meara, Michael F, 1909-1998, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Michael Pelly SJ written while serving as a chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Michael Pelly SJ written while serving as a chaplain with 11th York and Lancaster Regiment (218th Infantry Brigade); in Otley, West Yorkshire; The Military Hospital, York; with the British North Africa Force in North Africa; 1st Battalion, The Buffs, C.M.F. in Italy; in 93rd British General Hospital, C.M.F. and in the School of Infantry, Warminster, Wiltshire. Includes Fr Pelly’s first letter to the Provincial written from Bridlington (23 April 1942, 1p.) and letters describing the monastery of Cassino following the battle of Monte Cassino (30 May 1944, 2pp), being in Rome on the day it was taken by the Allies and his ‘semi-private audience with the Pope’ (30 June, 29 July 1944, 2 items).

Pelly, Michael C, 1907-1990, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Cyril Perrott SJ written while serving as a chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Cyril Perrott SJ written while serving as a chaplain with the R.M.P. (Royal Military Police), Broomfield Park, Palmer’s Green, London; in Crofton House, Titchfield, Fareham, Hants.; with an Anti-Aircraft unit in Avendale, Bathford, Bath, Somerset; and in Hockley Sole, Capel le Ferne, Folkestone, Kent; with the 14th Army Group, South East Asia Command in India; 1st (W.A.) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, S.E.A.C. and in a Rangoon hospital. Includes copy of part of letter sent by Fr Perrott to his brother Fr Gerard Perrott SJ concerning a meeting with Frs Charles Day and Edward Sullivan in Calcutta (25 October 1944, 1p.). Fr Perrott was promoted to Senior Chaplain (S. C.F. (R.C.) ) in April 1945.

Perrott, Cyril, 1904-1952, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Biographical information and military documents concerning Fr Cyril Perrott SJ

Biographical information, obituaries and memorial card of Fr Cyril Perrott SJ (4 items). Military file 3601/CH(RC) which contains various documents belonging to Fr Cyril Perrott taken from Irish Provincialate (2010). Includes:

  • 6 black and white photographs of unknown people (perhaps niece and brother who lived in Western Australia, and brother who was a Jesuit in Western Australia);
  • details of his successful application for rate of pay increase;
  • release certificate;
  • details of medical prescription;
  • receipt for demand for civilian clothing;
  • document outlining principles and priestly duties;
  • tax requests;
  • request and reply for contingency allowance;
  • documents outlining ration cards and national registration on return to the United Kingdom and instructions to personnel released or invalided during release period to Eire who are granted leave with pay and who are eligible for medical attendance etc, under army regulations (1945/46);
  • claim for award of 1939/45 Star/Burma Star/Defence Medal;
  • obituary (1952);
  • card to be shown by celebret whenever a Chaplain wishes to say Mass;
  • officers’ kit insurance;
  • copy of gospel in funeral Mass and
  • letters from Captain George P. Grossmith.

Perrott, Cyril, 1904-1952, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Daniel Shields SJ written during his time as a chaplain

Letters and telegrams to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Daniel Shields SJ written during his time as a chaplain with the Royal Artillery in Larkhill, Wiltshire; in the Imperial Hospital, Natal, South Africa; in Oribi Military Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, Natal; with the 8th Sherwood Foresters in Wrotham, Kent; on the hospital ship Atlantis; in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall and in the Army Technical School, Arborfield, Reading, Berks.

Shields, Daniel J, 1898-1986, Jesuit priest, chaplain and missioner

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial John McMahon SJ from Mgr J.M. Coghlan

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial John R McMahon SJ from Mgr John M. Coghlan (Principal Chaplain (R.C.) concerning the chaplains’ release from the Army; the War Office’s request to retain the services of a number of them and the urgent need for Jesuits to work on the Hong Kong Mission. Includes copy letter to Fr Edward J. Warner SJ (Staff Chaplain to Mgr. Coghlan) from the Irish Fr Provincial in reply to the War Office’s request to retain the services of Fr Conal Murphy SJ. ‘I am sorry to say that I am worse off than ever for men, having received the other day a cable from Fr Joy, the Superior of our Hong Kong Mission, asking me to send out twelve men. As he and his fellow-missioners have been through a very rough time, as you can well imagine, I am anxious to send this help as soon as possible…I regret very much, then, that I cannot spare Fr Murphy, as I know by experience what it means to have vacancies yawning wide around one and none to fill them!’ (1 October 1945, 2pp).
Also includes letters to Irish Fr Provincial concerning Fr Richard Kennedy ‘ex P.O.W. from (the) Far East’ (7 January 1946 – 17 January 1947, 5 items).

Coghlan, John, 1888-1963, Roman Catholic Monsignor and chaplain

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Jesuits in response to call to serve as chaplains

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from various Jesuits in response to Fr Provincial’s letter (16 April 1941, 1p.) seeking volunteers to serve as chaplains: ‘Mgr. Coghlan (an Irishman from the diocese of Meath) who is in charge of the military chaplains has called upon me and informed me that the need of chaplains is acute and urgent, in some areas Catholic soldiers have no priests to look after them’. Includes responses from: John Hayes SJ (See CHP2/18); John Burden SJ (See CHP2/13); Thomas O'Donnell SJ; Cyril Perrott SJ (See CHP2/35); Conal Murphy SJ (See CHP2/30); Thomas P. Kelly SJ; Brendan Lawler SJ; John McCarron SJ; Brian MacMahon SJ; Daniel Shields SJ (See CHP2/37); Maurice Dowling SJ (See CHP2/16); Frank O'Riordan SJ and Joseph Garland SJ.

Miscellaneous items belonging to Fr Michael Morrison SJ

Miscellaneous items belonging to Fr Michael Morrison SJ. Includes:

  • photograph (8½cm x 13½cm) of Fr Michael Morrison SJ, (1945-1955);
  • group photograph (8½cm x 6cm) of Jesuits including: back, l-r, Michael O'Grady, [Frank Finegan], Michael Morrison, J. Kelly, Maurice Dowling, Conal Murphy, Sydney Lennon. Front, l-r: Perrott, John McAvoy and Michael O'Meara;
  • pouch containing various documents belonging to Fr Michael Morrison SJ such as: British Forces Identification Card (with photograph); Chaplains’ Identification Cards; Officer’s Ration Card; War Department Driving Permit; British Red Cross Identity Certificate; travel permit, ‘Authorisation for Travel To and From Eire by Personnel During Release Leave’; Services Clothing Coupon Sheet; details of his eyesight from Davidson & Regenstreif ‘Ophthalmic Opticians’ in Cairo and ‘Most Secret’ list of ‘Unit Vehicle Numbers’ of the First Armoured Division (194[1]-194[6], 12 items);
  • leather cover (9cm x 14½cm) for the identity card of Fr Michael Morrison SJ;
  • ‘Field Service Pocket Book. Part I – Pamphlet No. 13. Discipline, Office Work, Pay, and Burial Parties’ (June 1943, 25pp);
  • booklet entitled ‘Infantry Training. Part I – The Infantry Battalion' (1943, 54pp);
  • booklet entitled ‘Memorandum for Catholic Army Chaplains and Officiating Chaplains to the Forces’. With annotations by Fr Morrison (1941, 59pp);
  • signed photograph (10cm x 7cm) of five girls/woman, dated ‘Belsen 24-8-45’ [24 August 1945], [Eva Nuosnovicz], Geūia Freūkiel, with my friendship [Feuier], Best regards from Cecilia, Best wishes [ ]';
  • typescript account of the ‘Chaplains’ Work in Belsen’ by Fr Michael Morrison SJ (1947, 3pp);
  • illustrated booklet ‘The Story of Belsen’ written by Captain Andrew Pares, Adjutant of the 113 L.A.A. Regiment, R.A. (D.L.I.) T.A.. (Cover is detached) (n.d., 12pp);
  • medals belonging Fr Michael Morrison SJ. Includes ‘The 1939-1945 Star’; ‘The France and Germany Star’; ‘The Africa Star’; ‘The Defence Medal’ and a medal for serving from ‘1939-1945’. Includes original box in which the medals were sent to Fr Morrison in Australia in March 1950 by the War Office (6 items, 1950) and
  • file relating to the exhibition in Belvedere College of two cases of material from the Fr Michael Morrison SJ collection as part of a commemoration ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Belsen concentration camp. Includes a copy of the labels used for the exhibition, a programme of events for the commemoration ceremony and copies of photographic slides taken from the Imperial War Museum of Belsen concentration camp (April 2005, 5 items).

Morrison, Michael, 1908-1973, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Letters in response to Irish Fr Provincial following his letter seeking volunteers to serve as chaplains

Letters in response to Irish Fr Provincial following his letter (10 July) seeking volunteers to serve as chaplains in the forces. Includes;
– Copy of Irish Fr Provincial’s letter (10 July 1941, 1p.);
– Responses from; Frs Gerard Guinane SJ (See CHP2/17), Joseph Kelly SJ, Conal Murphy SJ (CHP2/30), Sydney Lennon SJ (See CHP2/25), Robert Stephenson SJ, Henry Croasdaile SJ, William Prendergast SJ, Fergus Cronin SJ (See CHP2/14), Frank O'Riordan SJ and Richard O'Mahony SJ

Responses to Irish Fr Provincial's letter seeking volunteers to serve as chaplains

Responses to Irish Fr Provincial's letter seeking volunteers to serve as chaplains. Includes;

  • Copy of Provincial’s letter (16 February 1942, 1p.)
  • Responses from Frs Michael O'Meara SJ (2 letters, See also CHP2/32), Peter MacSeumais SJ, Brian MacMahon SJ, Fergus Cronin SJ (See CHP2/14), Thomas J. Martin SJ (See CHP2/28), Aidan Ennis SJ, Gerard Perrott SJ (brother of Cyril Perrott SJ) (2 letters) (See CHP2/35), Brendan Lawler SJ, Gerard MacLoughlin SJ and Thomas O'Callaghan SJ.

Correspondence between the Air Ministry and Chaplains Branch, concerning the R.A.F.’s request for Catholic chaplains

Correspondence between the Air Ministry and Chaplains Branch,R.A.F. H.Q., Northern Ireland, mainly from Monsignor H. Beauchamp, (Principal Chaplain (R.C.) R.A.F.) and the Irish Fr Provincial (Laurence J. Kieran SJ, then from 8 September 1941, John MacMahon SJ) concerning the R.A.F.’s request for Catholic chaplains; Fr Tony MacSeumais’ acceptance of a post with the R.A.F. in July 1943 and Fr Joseph McSweeney’s acceptance in 1945. Includes;

  • Letter from Mgr. Beauchamp to Fr MacMahon: ‘You are probably aware that I am very short of chaplains in the Royal Air Force. At many Stations there are as many as 300 young airmen who…have no chaplain to prepare them for their great ordeals…You probably know as well as I do the temptations that young Priests in the Services, particularly in the Royal Air Force come up against, hence you will know the special type of man that is wanted’ (12 March 1942, 1p.)
  • Letter from G.J. Corboy, Senior Chaplain (R.C.), R.A.F. H.Q., Northern Ireland to Fr MacMahon: ‘I met Father Sweeney (sic) last week, when I was down, and I am very grateful to you for the offer of his services, as a R.A.F. Chaplain’ (30 April 1945, 1p.).

Beauchamp, Henry, 1883-1948, Roman Catholic Monsignor and chaplain

Letters to Irish Fr Provincial Laurence J. Kieran SJ from Fr Richard L. Guilly SJ regarding proposed trip to Dublin and the chaplains under his care

Letters to Irish Fr Provincial Laurence J. Kieran SJ from Fr Richard L. Guilly SJ (Senior Catholic Chaplain, British Troops, Northern Ireland) concerning his proposed visit to Dublin, news of the Jesuit chaplains under his care and arrangements for chaplains regarding banking in England (encloses a list of the ‘ordinary emoluments due to chaplains’ (17 May 1941, 3pp and 1p.).

Guilly, Richard Lester, 1905-1996, Jesuit priest, bishop and chaplain

Letters from Fr Patrick O'Mara SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning his commission to join an Irish regiment as a chaplain in the war

Letters from Fr Patrick O'Mara SJ, Leighlinbridge, County Carlow to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V Nolan SJ concerning the taking of a retreat provided he can have a rest beforehand and his commission to join an Irish regiment as a chaplain in World War One.

O'Mara, Patrick, 1875-1969, Jesuit priest, chaplain and missioner

Letters from Fr James Brennan SJ, Superior, Rathfarnham Castle to Irish Fr Provincial concerning life at Rathfarnham Castle

A file of letters from Fr James Brennan SJ, (Superior), Rathfarnham Castle, Rathfarnham, County Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V Nolan SJ concerning the move of the community to Rathfarnham, the running of the house, bills and finances and the care of the Juniors. Includes:

  • a letter concerning the various work being carried out in preparation for the community occupying the Castle. Remarks 'This is the first letter written by a Jesuit from the above address.' (6 August 1913, 4pp);
  • a letter referring to the ceiling paintings in the refectory. Remarks 'I think it would be wise not to put up the pictures in the refectory until we get the complete set.' (18 April 1914, 3pp);
  • a letter referring to a consultation at which it was remarked that the Juniors are not as well fed as they should be. Remarks that the lunch needs to be improved. (20 September 1914, 4pp);
  • a letter referring to workmen needed to clean out the pond and work on the farm. Refers to injuries sustained by Fr John Gwynn as a military chaplain. Asks Irish Fr Provincial to ask the newly appointed Fr General to bless the Irish Juniorate (14 February 1915, 4pp);
  • a letter referring to the success of the Juniors in the University exams. (30 June 1915, 2pp);
  • a letter referring to the scholarships won by the Juniors (amounting to £1,000). Remarks 'it would argue want of taste to suggest any limit to Provincial generosity in this matter, but we have fallen on evil days, when retrenchment is in the air and I venture to suggest that if your Reverence returned me the very smallest of the four cheques it would furnish means for an "outing" - fresh air and food - in harmony with the lean years through which we are passing.' (6 November 1915, 2pp);
  • a letter concerning the possibility of Fr Brennan being assigned another task. Remarks '...not only should I feel not hurt but I would regard such a change as a very great relief.' (29 July 1916, 1p);
  • a number of letters concerning a trip by the Juniors to Jersey and the concern he feels for them travelling during the war. (7 August 1916 - 26 August 1916, 3 items).

Brennan, James, 1854-1941, Jesuit priest

Letters from Fr Willie Doyle SJ, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ

A file of letters from Fr Willie Doyle SJ, Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ. Includes a letter remarking 'May the Lord reward you for getting us this place; it is like a paradise to come back to after the bustle and rush of the missions' (13 January [1914], 1p). Includes letters volunteering to serve as a war chaplain (4 - 26 November 1914, 3 items).

Doyle, Willie, 1873-1917, Servant of God, Jesuit priest and chaplain

Correspondence relating to Fr Aubrey Gwynn’s life-long friend Fr Thomas J. Fullerton

Correspondence relating to Fr Aubrey Gwynn’s life-long friend Fr Thomas J. Fullerton. Includes:
– letters from Fr Fullerton to Fr Gwynn (17 September 1971 – 1975, 3 items);
– note to Fr Gwynn from Gearoid Cr[ookes], Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2, following Fr Fullerton’s death in 1976, enclosing four letters Fr Gwynn wrote to Fr Fullerton from 1916 and 1932. Includes references to Fr Gwynn’s brother Edward Lucius’ departure for Australia, his brother Denis (a soldier who had just been gazetted to the 5th Munsters at the Curragh) (18 November 1916, 4pp), political and social events at home and academic life in U.C.D. (16 April 1932, 2pp).

Gwynn, Aubrey, 1892-1983, Jesuit priest and academic

Letters to Fr John Conmee SJ from various bishops regarding the Cause of the Irish Martyrs

  • IE IJA J/13/10
  • File
  • 8 December 1902 - 12 April 1905
  • Part of Irish Jesuits

Letters to Fr John Conmee SJ from various bishops regarding the Cause of the Irish Martyrs. Most of the letters are from Dr William J. Walsh, Archbishop of Dublin but also includes letters from Dr John K. O'Doherty, Bishop of Derry, Dr John Coffey, Bishop of Ardfert, Dr Robert Browne, Bishop of Cloyne, Dr John Healy, Archbishop of Tuam and Dr Thomas O'Dea, Bishop of Clonfert.

Letters from Fr Patrick Duffy SJ to Sr Mary Agnes, Carmelite Convent, Firhouse, Tallaght, Dublin

  • IE IJA J/130/1
  • File
  • 10 September 1873 - 9 February 1901
  • Part of Irish Jesuits

A file of letters from Fr Patrick Duffy SJ to Sr Mary Agnes (later Mother Prioress), Carmelite Convent, Firhouse, Tallaght, Dublin concerning his life and work as a priest. The majority of these letters are written from Australia and describe his work in this mission. The letters also discuss news from the convent of Firhouse and Fr Duffy offers constant encouragement in spiritual matters and discusses the numbers of novices in the convent. Many of the letters were written while his sister (Sr Mary Gabriel) was ill and could not write herself. Includes a letter concerning his sister's health. Remarks that he is glad to have been told how serious her attack was. Remarks 'I am anxious about her, of course I am, we are brother and sister and the last remaining two of a family of eleven. No wonder, then, that we should look towards each other - now especially, when we are both coming so near to the end of the journey.' (21 June 1894, 4pp). Includes a letter congratulating Sr. Mary Agnes on becoming Mother Prioress of the Carmelite Convent in Firhouse. Remarks 'And so the burden of authority has been laid upon your shoulders! Well - God's will be done. And that it is God's will that you should be put into your present position.' (25 April 1895, 4pp). Includes a letter enclosing a cutting from The Argus concerning Edward Grennan who took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. Advises Sr Mary Agnes to read the cutting to the novices. Remarks 'The lesson taught is grand! I would advise the Mistress of Novices to read both (cutting and letter) to her novices and give them a lecture on obedience. The analogy between the two warfares, the warfare of this world and the warfare of the soul is very close.' (22 November 1896, 2 items).

Letters from Fr Patrick Duffy SJ to Sr Mary Gabriel, Carmelite Convent, Firhouse, Tallaght, Dublin

  • IE IJA J/130/2
  • File
  • 3 May 1879 - 15 August 1897
  • Part of Irish Jesuits

A file of letters from Fr Patrick Duffy SJ to his sister Sr Mary Gabriel, Carmelite Convent, Firhouse, Tallaght, Dublin concerning his life and work as a priest in Australia and elsewhere. The vast majority of the letters (over 50) are written from Australia describing in detail his work and life in this mission. Includes letters discussing his health, his sister's health, family matters, retreats and missions he gave in Australia and masses and prayers offered for the convent and community at Firhouse. Includes a letter from Fr Duffy, Ursuline Convent, St Joseph's, Sligo to Sr Mary Gabriel. Remarks 'Now that you and I are alone left of all we must, from this on, take on more than ever special interest in each other.' (6 August 1888, 4pp). Includes a letter informing his sister of his departure for Australia. Remarks 'Say God's will be done for it is the will of God. Don't fret about me, for before very long you and I will meet in a happy eternity.' (15 August 1888, 4pp). Includes a letter concerning his sister's health and the loss of sight in one of her eyes. Encourages her not to read if she finds it a strain. Refers to the noviceship in her convent. Remarks 'Put away those gloomy thoughts about the noviceship. There is nothing wrong in your convent. Just let us keep on praying and trusting and leave the future to God.' (22 August 1891, 4pp). Includes a letter concerning his move from North Shore to Hawthorn. Remarks that he has more work to do in Hawthorn and that it is 'more pressing'. Remarks 'As I write the weather is harsh and we have much sickness - the influenza - and many deaths.' (7 October 1891, 4pp). Includes a letter referring to the death of Fr General (Fr Anderledy SJ) at Fiesole. Remarks 'He and I were fellow students in the Roman College of the Society, some 44 years ago! He was about my age. A warning to look out!' Refers to his change of address and remarks that he will be working at Kew, Melbourne. (letter dated 4 December 1891, 4pp, section dated 20 January 1892). Includes a letter written from New Zealand where he was conducting retreats. Remarks 'I am in my element.' Continues 'I like New Zealand very much a fine country and climate - greatly superior to Australia. Every one is kind to me and I get on well. Wellington is a nice clean city with a fine harbour and a brisk trade.' Describes a journey to Reefton to give a retreat to the Mercy nuns. Remarks that he made the journey on top of a stage coach 'Pretty smart going! Through the bush and over the mountains! Five horses to the coach and galloping all the time for nearly 4 days! What say you to that? But young men like me don't mind these things.' (this section dated 8 January 1893) (29 December 1892, 4pp). Includes a letter referring to his duties at St. Francis Xavier's College in Kew. Remarks that he is in charge of the Sodality of the B V Mary 'Tis from the sodalities in our colleges that the noviceship is recruited.' (7 February 1892, 4pp). Includes a letter describing a visit he made to one of the Melbourne hospitals to see an old friend, Edward Grennan, '…Irish and Catholic a native of Mountrath, Queen's county. He had been in the army - a cavalry regiment - Lord Cardigan's Light Brigade - had ridden in the famous charge - 25 October 1854. He is now the remnant of a well looking man - was then a youth of 20. Well we fraternized of course - he and I old Crimean-and fellow-soldiers. We chatted of the war, and of the Charge of the Light Brigade, his brigade in particular. Step by step we got along until I stood with him and his companions 600 strong - in thought and imagination - at the end of the valley - at the other end of which was the Russian Battery of some 10 or 12 pairs of canon.' Describes how the order was given to seize the guns. Continues 'Without a moments hesitation, the 600 are in their saddles and away they go…Oh! My poor fellows, my poor brave fellows! Over 600 they commence their ride to return later on all that was left of them about 200 men! Half an hour did the whole business.' (21 November 1896, 4pp).

Material relating to Fr Leonard Gallagher SJ and his brother, Frank Gallagher

  • IE IJA J/160/1
  • File
  • April 1920 - 14 July 1942
  • Part of Irish Jesuits

Material relating to Fr Leonard Gallagher SJ and his brother, Frank Gallagher. Includes Frank's anti-treaty material, material relating to the Irish civil war, letters from Frank to Fr Leonard from Gormanstown Internment Camp (17 January - 4 August 1923, 9 items) and letter from Joseph Cripps to Fr Leonard from Gormanstown Internment Camp (30 August 1923, 1p). Includes some biographical information on Fr Leonard Gallagher SJ.

  • brief details of Patrick O'Reilly and Michael Fitzgerlad, Youghal, County Cork who were arrested on possession of Arms and Ammunition at Ballinaclash, Clashmore, County Waterford;
  • typed correspondence and accounts relating to anti-treaty publicity (1922-1923);
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