Connolly, Clement, 1875-1963, Capuchin priest

John Connolly was born in Bagenalstown in County Carlow in 1875. He joined the Capuchin Franciscans at Rochestown Friary in County Cork in February 1892. He took Clement as his religious name upon joining the Order. He was ordained on 7 February 1902. He spent the early years of his priesthood teaching at Rochestown College before moving to Kilkenny and later to Holy Trinity Friary in Cork. For some years he was principally engaged in preaching missions and retreats throughout the country and in 1910 he was formally assigned to the missionary staff of the Irish Capuchin Province. Following the Provincial Chapter of 1922, he was assigned to the United States mission. He served initially in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, before moving to the west coast. He returned to Ireland in July 1925. On his return, he was assigned to the Capuchin community residing on Church Street in Dublin. He was appointed Vicar of Holy Trinity Friary in Cork in 1933 and was reappointed to that office after the Provincial Chapter of 1934. He continued to reside in Cork until his death on 20 April 1963. He was buried in the cemetery adjoining the Capuchin Friary in Rochestown, County Cork.

Baptismal name: John Connolly
Religious name: Fr. Clement Connolly OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 30 Nov. 1875
Place of birth: Main Street, Bagenalstown, County Carlow
Name of father: Michael Connolly
Name of mother: Elizabeth Connolly (née Moloney)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 7 Feb. 1892
Date of first profession: 20 Mar. 1893
Date of final profession: 25 Dec. 1897
Date of ordination (as priest): 23 Feb. 1902
Missionary activity: Travelled to Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, United Sates in Dec. 1922; Returned to Ireland in July 1925.
Date of death: 20 Apr. 1963
Place of death: Cork
Place of burial: Cemetery, Rochestown Capuchin Friary, County Cork