C&SI - Fr Willie Doyle SJ - An Irish saint in the making? - 5 Feb 2023 (S03E11)

C&SI are joined on this weeks podcast by Pat Keey, president of the Fr Willie Doyle Association to share with us the story of this heroic priest and chaplain who died during World War I. Posited as an ecumenical martyr of charity who died while attending to soldiers on the front, his cause for canonisation was formerly opened in October 2022 in the diocese of Meath which is the beginning of the formal process to get him beatified and canonised.

We have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends including saints of the week, as well of course as a reflection on this Sunday's gospel which is the reflection on being salt of the earth and being light of the world.

Fr Willie Doyle SJ
Pat Kenny (president of the Fr Willie Doyle Association) joins us on this weeks podcast to share the story of Fr Willie Doyle and the fact that his cause for canonisation has been formally been opened.

Fr Doyle was renowned for his heroism as a military chaplain during World War I, and since his death on 16 August 1917, he has developed a reputation for sanctity and intercessory power. His cause was formally opened at a ceremony in the cathedral of Christ the King on Sunday 20 November 2022.

Willie Doyle SJ was born in Dublin in 1873 to an affluent Catholic family and entered the Society of Jesus in 1891. He taught in two Jesuit schools, Clongowes Wood College and Belvedere College and was ordained in 1908. He volunteered as a chaplain in WW1.

Willie Doyle SJ has touched the lives of many people, especially those he ministered to in the hellish trenches of the First World War. He was renowned for his selfless care of the young soldiers in that war, for his heroism, and his deep penitential spirituality. Many draw attention to his sense of humour, positive attitude, and upbeat disposition which supported the soldiers to whom he was chaplain during dark and dangerous times in the trenches.

He was also known as a practical joker who from an early age displayed tender care for all those he came in contact with, and from an early age. he continues to fascinate people today, one hundred years on from his death in the First World War.

Other resources

• Fr Willie Doyle Association website
• Fr Willie Doyle, pastor to the wounded, troubled and despairing (Irish Catholic)
• 2017 docudrama by EWTN - Bravery Under Fire - The story of Fr. Willie Doyle
• iCatholic interview - Canonisation Cause for Fr Willie Doyle SJ opens
• C&SI podcasts - 2017 interview with Pat Kenny

Notices
A good friend of the podcast Martina Lehane Sheehan is facilitating an upcoming resource for Lent online via Zoom for those interested
 
Lenten programme - "Whispers in the Stillness"
Dates: 27th February- 3rd April (weekly)

This programme will include Meditation, Scripture, Music, Creative Writing, Prayer etc.  The programme also includes an On line Day Retreat on Holy Saturday (8th April)
Cost:  €120

To book please email: info@ruahrest.com