We continue Fr Doyle’s account of July 31, 1917 directly after he left off yesterday. Again what is most noticeable is Fr Doyle’s good humour and cheerfulness, even in the midst of this awful war. It was 1.30 a.m. when our first halting place was reached, and as we march again at three, little time was wasted getting to sleep. It was the morning of July 31st, the Feast of …
July 14th, 2014
July 31, 2014
RTE has just aired an excellent documentary about the heroic Fr Frank Browne SJ. Fr Browne spent several months with Fr Doyle, and the two of them had great esteem for each other. You can read about Fr Browne’s military service here. And Fr Doyle’s relationship with Fr Browne here. The programme can be viewed at this site (it will be available for a few weeks). The entire programme is …
July 30, 2014
RTE television in Ireland is airing an important documentary this evening about Fr Frank Browne SJ. This documentary is important for at least two reasons. Firstly, it provides a more complete picture of Fr Browne’s life. He is of course justifiably well known for his photography. However, there was a lot more to Fr Browne than this, and tonight’s documentary will allow many people to learn of Fr Browne’s courage …
July 30, 2014
In advance of this evening’s programme on Irish television about Fr Frank Browne’s heroic service in the First World War, I have invited Carole Hope to contribute a guest post on Fr Doyle and Fr Browne’s relationship. Carole is a military historian who has written a new biography of Fr Doyle entitled Worshipper and Worshipped. This excellent book is the definitive guide to Fr Doyle’s military career, and can be bought …
July 30, 2014
“When one has put in a long day of hard work…the prospect of a stiff march is not too pleasant”. From the last letter of Fr Doyle to his father describing the events of July 30, 1917, 97 years ago today: For the past week we have been moving steadily up to the Front once more to face the hardships and horrors of another big push, which report says is …
July 30, 2014
On August 12 1917 Fr Doyle sent his last letter home to his father. It was a long account of his involvement in the early stages of the Battle of Passchendaele. 5 days later he was hit by a German shell while rescuing a wounded soldier and was killed instantly. His account of the battle commences on July 30 and we shall follow his account in his own words each …
July 29, 2014
28 July 1907, Miltown Park, Dublin. Fr Doyle is marked with an X. My loving Jesus, on this the morning of my Ordination to the priesthood, I wish to place in Your Sacred Heart, in gratitude for all that You have done for me, the resolution from this day forward to go straight to holiness. My earnest wish and firm resolve is to strive with might and main to become …
July 28, 2014
As the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War approaches, there are many television and radio programmes scheduled to commemorate the event. A full list of relevant programmes on Irish television and radio can be found here: http://www.rte.ie/worldwar1/schedule/ Two programmes in particular look very relevant for Fr Doyle. On Monday July 28th there is a documentary about the 4 Irish regiments that took part in the war. And …
July 27, 2014
Blessed Titus Brandsma I assure you that you have my entire sympathy as well as my prayers in the trial you are going through. There are few things more painful than to long to know the Will of God and not be able to see it, though it may be quite clear to others. From all that has passed between us I have no doubt that you have a religious …
July 27, 2014
Fr Sean Coyle, a long time reader of this site (and blogger at www.bangortobobbio.blogspot.com) has sent a message to inform us that Fr Doyle was mentioned by Bishop Richard Moth, the Bishop of the British Forces, in a recent piece on BBC Radio 4. The programme is available here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b049xhfd. The clip featuring Bishop Moth runs from 08:15 to 13:00 and the mention of Fr Doyle is at 11:46. I am …
July 26, 2014