Monsignor Killian Flynn OFM Cap. with religious sisters in a classroom. Original caption reads 'Monsignor Flynn left Lusaka to take up a position in Nairobi in 1951'.
Cutting from the Irish Press reporting on the departure of Fr. Seraphin Nesdale OFM Cap., Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap. and Fr. Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap. for Northern Rhodesia.
Letters of Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap. (1876-1958). The correspondents include: Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, Fr. Kieran O’Callaghan OFM Cap.; Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Vicar. Most of the correspondence relates to the establishment of missions in South Africa and later in Barotseland, Northern Rhodesia. The subjects include: Fr. Casimir’s first impressions of Cape Province (23 Oct. 1929); the journey to Barotseland (30 May 1930); requesting permission to retain Parow parish (26 Feb. 1931); discussions with Monsignor Bruno Wolnik SJ (1882-1960) to establish a local mission a few miles from Livingstone (16 June 1931); the necessity of wearing a white habit. Fr. Casimir wrote: ‘It is almost impossible to wear brown during the hot weather. The Conventual Fathers at Ndola wear white. The Jesuits wear any old things. I suggest a light cream-coloured habit’ (27 Nov. 1931); the need to speak the language in Barotseland ‘before we can hope to gain the hearts of the natives’. (30 Nov. 1931); on the study of the Lozi language (26 Jan. 1932); suggesting that a foundation be established in Barotseland ‘to which Catholics can look to with pride – a large church and school, sufficient for a fifty-mile area’. (3 May 1932); affirming that ‘mission work in Barotseland is going to be a slow business, the obstacles look insurmountable’. Fr. Casimir added: ‘it is a great consolation to know that it can never become a white man’s country’ (23 May 1932); confirming that the new church at Livingstone will cost £3,500 (6 Sept. 1932); referring to the work of Fr. Declan McFadden OFM Cap. and his father (30 Oct. 1932); arrangements for the impending visitation by Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap. (3 Dec. 1934); the activities of the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society. (18 Dec. 1934); Fr. Casimir’s arrangements to travel to Ireland via Marseilles on-board the Italian ship, SS 'Giulio Cesare' (5 May 1938). References are also made to the following Capuchin friars: Fr. Oliver O’Hanlon OFM Cap.; Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap.; Fr. Seraphin Nesdale OFM Cap.; Fr. Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap.; Fr. Declan McFadden OFM Cap. The file includes a letter from Fr. C. C. Martindale SJ to Fr. Cuthbert McCann OFM Cap. offering to collect £100 for Fr. Casimir’s missionary work in Barotseland (16 June 1931).
Minutes of the first General Mission Conference held at the Sichili Mission Station, Northern Rhodesia. The meeting was convened by Monsignor Killian Flynn OFM Cap., Prefect Apostolic. The minutes include decrees in relation to the Horarium, rules and observance, the catechumenate, catechists, preaching, and mass attendance. Reference is also made to building plans, steps to improve proficiency in languages, transport considerations and the running of local schools.
Financial statements for the African missions founded by the Irish Capuchin friars. The file includes: • Note re income derived from masses in the Livingstone (Northern Rhodesia) and in the Cape Town (South Africa) missions from 1931-4. • Statement of income and expenditure for the Livingstone and Cape Town missions submitted to the Provincial Minister and Defintiory, 17 Jan. 1935. • Statement of income and expenditure for the Victoria Falls Prefecture compiled by Monsignor Killian Flynn OFM Cap., Prefect Apostolic, and Fr. Seraphin Nesdale OFM Cap. 15 May 1937. • Financial account for the Victoria Falls Mission from July 1947 to July 1948.
(On the right) Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap., Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap. (1876-1958) and altar servers outside Maramba Mission Church, Livingstone, Northern Rhodesia. The original caption reads ‘First mission chapel outside the centre of Livingstone, at Police Camp Maramba, opened on the Feast of Christ the King, 1932. A better church opened in Marmaba in 1940’.
