Clipping of an article titled ‘Coming of the Capuchin Franciscans’ published in the 'Donegal Democrat'. The article refers to the history of the Ards Estate and to the arrival of the Capuchin friars in Donegal in 1930. With a copy print of Ard Mhuire Friary and a group of Capuchin friars including Fr. Cassian O’Shea OFM Cap. (1897-1981), Fr. Columban McGarry OFM Cap. (1901-1987), Fr. Andrew Carew OFM Cap. (1902-1987) and Fr. Finbarr O’Callaghan OFM Cap. (1879-1963).
Flier marking the Golden Jubilee of the foundation of the Third Order of St. Francis attached to Holy Trinity Church, Father Mathew Quay, Cork. The flier includes an address from Fr. Finbarr O’Callaghan OSFC (1879-1963), Spiritual Director. It reads: ‘On October 4th, 1866, Father Edward (Tommins) OSFC of Kilkenny – a saintly, simple-souled Capuchin Priest – received to membership of the Third Order, 5 young men, the pioneers of the Congregation. Of these pioneers – some of whom entered the First Order subsequently and are known as Brothers Felix and Joseph. … During the past 50 years the Congregation has steadily developed and today it numbers nearly 1,000 members’.
A note with dates and names tracking the arrival and assignment of Irish Capuchin friars to the United States from 1902 to 1926.
The Early Years (1902–1910):
• 1902–1908: Lists Luke (Fr. Luke Sheehan) in Aden, confirming his early mission work in Arabia before moving to America.
• 1910: Shows the initial arrival in Oregon with Luke and Casimir in Hermiston, and Leonard in Harrisburg.
Growth and Expansion (1911–1915):
• 1911: Records Benignus in Harrisburg and Camillus and Edward in Roseburg. A note indicates Edward returned in 1923.
• 1913: Notes the arrival of Fr. Brendan (O’Callaghan) in November, who would later become a long-term leader in Abbottstown.
• 1915: Mentions the arrival of Adrian, Ferdinand, and Anthony in September.
Post-World War (1919–1926):
• 1919–1920: Shows a new wave of friars, including Raphael, Gabriel, Urban, Stephen, Vincent, and Ambrose.
• 1924: A particularly busy year for arrivals, listing Pacificus, Finbarr, Isidore, Albert, Reginald, and Damian.
• 1926: The final entries on this sheet record Berchmans and Enda arriving in January.
Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, discussing the significant debt or assessment of $3,000 sent by the Definitory" (governing council). Father Fenelon expresses concern about how the various American houses will afford their share, noting that some friaries have very low income. He mentions meeting with the archbishop in San Francisco regarding a promise for a new foundation He expresses confidence that a permanent location in ‘the Bay City’ will be secured within the coming year. He also advises the Provincial on the minimum clothing and supplies (‘a simple suit of clothes and underwear’) needed for those coming to the warm California climate. He also mentions Fathers Reginald, Thomas, and Brendan, and their specific missionary roles.
A clipping of an article describing the state of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Fort Bragg, California, at a time when it was classified as a mission church. Fr. Finbarr O’Callaghan OFM Cap. is the pastor. His primary concern is cited as the lack of social life for the parish children due to not having a parochial school or hall. The clipping is taken from ‘The Monitor’ (16 March 1929).
Fr. Finbarr O’Callaghan OFM Cap. (left) with Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, in Watts, Los Angeles.
Photographic print of a procession of Capuchin friars and other religious in Cork city.
An annotation on the reverse reads: ‘Reading from extreme right, front row, Fathers Conrad, Cormac, Matthew, Albert, Gerard; behind … Fathers Eugene, Finbarr, Felix, Columban’.
Photographer/Studio: G. & V. Healy, 85 Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork.
Letter from Fr. Joseph Fenelon OFM Cap. to Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, confirming that he has sent Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. to Santa Inés to cover for Fr. Albert, who remains ill. He plans to call on Fr. Reginald to help cover local Masses while other friars are away on missions. Father Fenelon also refers to upcoming missionary travel for various friars, and improvements to the parish infrastructure in Watts.
A photograph of a group of Capuchin friars on their ordination day in September 1902. The group includes Bernard Clark OFM Cap., Vicar Apostolic of Arabia, Fr. Kevin Moynihan OFM Cap., Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap., Fr. Francis Hayes OFM Cap., Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap., Fr. Finbarr O’Callaghan OFM Cap., and Fr. Adrian Sharkett OFM Cap.
Newspaper clipping of a photograph of a group of Capuchin friars with Fr. Venancio de L'Isle-en-Rigault OSFC, Minister General, in the garden of Holy Trinity Friary in Cork. The printed title reads '"Cork Weekly Examiner" and "Weekly Herald Supplement", July 1st 1916 / The Capuchin Fathers, Cork, with the Superior-General of the Order / Standing: Brother Aidan, Brother Angelus, Rev. Father Angelus, Rev. Father Joseph, Rev. Dr. Edwin, Rev. Father Bernardine, Rev. Father Clement, Brother Egedius, Rev. Father Leonard, Rev. Father Finbarr; Sitting: Very Rev. Father Matthew, Guardian, Cork, Very Rev. Father Aloysius, Provincial; Most Rev. Father Venantius, Minister General, Minister General; Very Rev. Father Bernardine, English Provincial Minister, Father Fredigand, secretary to Superior General’.
Photographer/Studio: 'Cork Examiner'.