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A small collection of prints relating to the South African mission assembled by Fr. Benjamin O’Connell OFM Cap. (1938-2010) for historical research purposes. The file includes:
• The exterior of St. Theresa’s School in the Welcome Estate, Cape Town, South Africa. The annotation reads: ‘This part was built in 1933. Two moveable partitions made it one large room for Mass (3 classrooms). The third room (back part) added to the original 2 classrooms’.
• Capuchin friars with Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap. on the occasion of his visitation to South Africa in 1957. The friars include Fr. Jerome McQuillan OFM Cap., Fr. Carthage Ruth OFM Cap., Fr. Damascene McKenna OFM Cap., Fr. Raphael Curran OFM Cap., Fr. Agathangelus Herlihy OFM Cap. and Fr. Didacus McGrath OFM Cap.
• The exterior of Parow Church and Presbytery in Cape Town.
• Fr. Raymond Dillane OFM Cap., Fr. Albert Hayes OFM Cap. (1915-2005) and Fr. Bernard Cronin OFM Cap. in the Welcome Estate, Cape Town, in c.1980.
• Fr. Albert Hayes OFM Cap. and Br. Kees Thönissen OFM Cap. in the Welcome Estate, Cape Town, in c.1980.

Letters from Bishop Bernard Cornelius O’Riley (1868-1956), Vicar Apostolic of the Cape of Good Hope, Western District, and Fr. John Morris, editor of the Southern Cross, to Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Fr. Kevin Moynihan OFM Cap., Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap., Provincial Ministers, and Fr. Kieran O’Callaghan OFM Cap., Provincial Secretary, regarding the prospects for establishing Irish Capuchin missionary foundations in the Athlone, Parow and Langa parishes in the Cape Province, South Africa. Fr. John Morris wrote: ‘There are only about thirty priests in the whole vicariate. This number includes three Jesuits, two Redemptorists, and some six Salesians. … Alas, there are no Franciscans in South Africa. You will therefore be real pioneers’ (16 May 1927). The Bishop wrote: ‘There are pagans and heathens in abundance in my Vicariate which covers some 17,000 sq. miles and I can assure there is endless scope in the Vicariate for the missionary efforts of your good Fathers’ (30 Mar. 1928). Later, he affirmed that the ‘poor people of “Athlone” (which is the name of the place of your first mission in South Africa) are nearly all coloured, a good simple lot, who have been working hard for some months past in their spare time to build with their own hands school-rooms’ (6 Dec. 1928). Reference is also made to the provision of a school for coloured children at Claremont (16 Feb. 1931) and to the financial state of the Vicariate (20 July 1932). The file includes a memorandum and agreement for sale from Bishop O’Riley to the Irish Capuchins of sites at Claremont, at Athlone, and at Parow (1 Nov. 1931), and a letter from Fr. John Morris requesting the Irish Capuchins supply a priest for the Philippi mission in the Vicariate (17 Mar. 1950).

Copy correspondence of Fr. Melchor a Benisa OFM Cap., Fr. Clement Neubauer OFM Cap., and Fr. Paschal Rywalski OFM Cap., General Ministers, to Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap., Fr. Conrad O’Donovan OFM Cap., and Fr. Berard Creed OFM Cap., Provincial Ministers, re the status of the Irish Capuchin missions in Africa. Reference is made to the request made by Bishop John Colburn Garner, Vicar Apostolic of Pretoria, seeking more priests to work in South Africa (see CA AMI/1/6/7). Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap. wrote: ‘We felt that this arrangement with Bishop Garner will lead to an expansion of our work in South Africa’ (21 Dec. 1948). The possibility of separating the mission in Cape Town from that in Rhodesia is also discussed (31 Oct. 1950). Fr. Clement Neubauer OFM Cap. later referred to the establishment of Cape Town as a ‘separate mission’ and to the appointment of a Regular Superior (25 Nov. 1968). See also CA AMI/2/5/7.

Letters from the Most Rev. John Colburn Garner (1907-1993), Archbishop of Pretoria, to Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap. and Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Ministers, offering missionary work to the Irish Capuchins in the Archdiocese. The Archbishop offers the district of Rustenburg (5 Nov. 1948); Zeerust, near the boundary with Bechuanaland. He encloses a copy of an agreement between the Archdiocese and the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptortists) re work in the township of Rustenburg (5 Apr. 1953); the district of Groblersdal (1 Aug. 1955).

Letters from Bishop Hugh Boyle (1897-1986), Vicar Apostolic of Port Elizabeth, to Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap. and Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Ministers, requesting that more priests be sent to South Africa to work on local missions in the Vicariate of Port Elizabeth. The file includes correspondence with the Most Rev. Martin Lucas SVD, Apostolic Delegate to South Africa, referring to the urgent need for more missionaries in the district of Peddie, Cape Province.

Letters from the Most Rev. Owen McCann (1907-1994), Archbishop of Cape Town, to Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap., Fr. Conrad O’Donovan OFM Cap., Fr. Berard Creed OFM Cap. (1923-2004) , Fr. Eustace McSweeney OFM Cap., Provincial Ministers, and Fr. Jarlath Gough OFM Cap. (1902-1983) reporting on the missionary efforts of the Irish Capuchins in Parow (Parish of the Immaculate Conception); Matroosfontein (Parish of the Holy Trinity); Athlone (St. Mary of the Angels); Welcome Estate (St. Theresa’s); Langa (St. Anthony’s). The Archbishop also requests that an Irish Capuchin priest (Fr. Jarlath Gough OFM Cap.) be sent to St. Helena and Ascension Island – part of the Cape Town Archdiocese. He writes: ‘There are 5,000 persons on [St. Helena] Island but only 3 to 4 Catholics at present … the prospect of conversions is uncertain. The Anglicans are well established. The schools are under the Government, as also the hospital’. Reference is also made to an application of Ronald Hinrichsen, a convert from the Dutch Reformed Church, to join the Capuchin Franciscan Order (24 Sept. 1952); to the death of Fr. Oliver O’Hanlon OFM Cap. and the resulting vacancy in Parow parish (16 Aug. 1957); to a draft agreement with the Capuchins re Belgravia parish which has been separated from Parow (1 July 1961); to the need for new priests to meet the growing population in the Cape Flats district (20 June 1966); to Archbishop McCann’s desire to see Fr. Carthage Ruth OFM Cap. return to South Africa (4 Nov. 1968). Later, Archbishop McCann expresses his condolences on hearing of the death of Fr. Christopher Crowley OFM Cap. (22 Mar. 1984).

A collection of black and white photographic prints mostly relating to Monsignor Killian Flynn OFM Cap., Prefect Apostolic of Victoria Falls from 1936-50. Most of the prints have been captioned by his nephew, Fr. Edwin Flynn OFM Cap. and some were published in Mgr. Killian Flynn as seen from his letters (Ndola, 2003). The file includes prints of Fr. Killian:
• As a novitiate and student.
• With his parents.
• With Fr. Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap. and Fr. Seraphin Nesdale OFM Cap. (1897-1980) probably on a ship during their first voyage to Africa in 1931.
• With African porters during a long trek into the bush, 1931-2.
• With Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap. (1876-1958) celebrating the opening of the first mission church on 30 Oct. 1932.
• The exterior of the ‘Stone Police Camp’ at Livingstone, the site of the first mission chapel, 1932.
• With Fr. Oliver O’Hanlon OFM Cap., Fr. Alban Cullen OFM Cap., Fr. Jerome MacQuillan OFM Cap. and Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap., 1935.
• With Paramount Chief Yeta III of Barotseland.
• With Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa, Nairobi Cathedral in 1967.
• At the first all-African Bishops’ Conference in Kampala, Uganda, in 1969.
• At the Zambian Episcopal Conference.
• Receiving an MBE in Livingstone.
• Greeting Pope Paul VI in Kampala, Uganda. The Pope visited Uganda from 31 July to 2 Aug. 1969
• With Capuchin friars from East and Southern Africa in 1972.

A collection of prints including many of Fr. Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap. (Bishop of Livingstone from 1959-74). Most of the prints are un-captioned. The file includes prints collected for publication in 'The Capuchin Annual'. The captioned photographs include:
• Fr. Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap., Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap., Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap. and Fr. Seraphin Nesdale OFM Cap. in Northern Rhodesia in c.1931. The images were probably taken during a trip to Victoria Falls.
• Group of Irish Capuchin friars in Northern Rhodesia. Front row (from left to right): Fr. Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap., Monsignor Killian Flynn OFM Cap., Fr. Oliver O’Hanlon OFM Cap. Back row: Fr. Christopher Crowley OFM Cap., Fr. Seraphin Nesdale OFM Cap., Fr. Timothy Connery OFM Cap., Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap., Br. Alexius Paolucci OFM Cap. and Fr. Jarlath Gough OFM Cap. The photograph was probably taken after the installation of Monsignor Killian Flynn OFM Cap. as Prefect Apostolic on 25 Nov. 1936.
• Bishop O’Shea OFM Cap. at a Parish Council meeting at the new church, Shimano, Mangango Mission. c.1970.
• Bishop O’Shea with Fr. Jude McKenna OFM Cap. in 1967.
• Fr. Agathangelus Herlihy OFM Cap.
• Bishop O’Shea at a retreat in Mongu in Aug. 1974. The group includes religious sisters and Fr. Jude McKenna OFM Cap.
• Bishop O’Shea OFM Cap. with the Little Sisters of St. Francis.
• Bishop O’Shea OFM Cap. with Sr. Colmcille and three new novices.
• Bishop O’Shea OFM Cap. with the President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda.

A collection of Zambian missionary photographs assembled by Fr. Benjamin O’Connell OFM Cap. (1938-2010) for historical research purposes. Some of the prints are copies but the file does include some original prints. Many of the prints are annotated on the reverse. The collection includes images of:
• Fr. Declan McFadden OFM Cap. outside the Rectory in Livingstone, Northern Rhodesia, in 1932.
• Fr. Christopher Crowley OFM Cap., Fr. Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap., Fr. Seraphin Nesdale OFM Cap. and Fr. Fintan Roche OFM Cap. in Northern Rhodesia in c.1935. The annotation on the reverse notes that the original image was taken from an album belonging to Fr. Terence Anglin OFM Cap. On the reverse was written: ‘I think this is not a bad piece of architecture for a school master’s son’.
• Capuchin friars receiving their missionary crosses in Church Street before their departure for the African mission in 1943. The friars are Br. Xavier Cox OFM Cap., Fr. Eustace Burke OFM Cap., Fr. Capistran Singleton OFM Cap., Br. Andrew O’Shea OFM Cap., Fr. Terence Anglin OFM Cap. and Br. Fergus Buckley OFM Cap.
• Fr. Albert Hayes OFM Cap. with a First Communion group in Livingstone in 1952.
• Bishop Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap. with Fr. Patrick Peyton outside St. Theresa’s Cathedral in Livingstone in 1955.
• Fr. Albert Hayes OFM Cap. with religious sisters.
• Fr. Salvator Quinn OFM Cap. in Livingstone.
• Bishop Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap. with local religious sisters.
• Capuchin friars with Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap. during his visitation to Northern Rhodesia in 1957. The friars include Fr. Albert Hayes OFM Cap., Fr. Agathangelus Herlihy OFM Cap., Fr. Alfred O’Mahony OFM Cap. and Fr. Capistran Singleton OFM Cap.
• Capuchin friars with Fr. Albert Hayes OFM Cap. on the occasion of his silver jubilee in 1959.
• Br. Maurice Buckley OFM Cap. (1918-2003) and Fr. Agnellus O’Neill OFM Cap. at a missionary exhibition in Dublin, c.1960.
• Fr. Berard Creed OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, in Sesheke, Zambia, in 1968.
• Capuchin friars with Fr. Berard Creed OFM Cap. during his visitation to Zambia in 1968. The friars include Fr. Salvator Quinn OFM Cap., Fr. Kenneth Reynolds OFM Cap., Fr. Donatus McNamara OFM Cap., Fr. Brian Browne OFM Cap., and Fr. Crispin Brennan OFM Cap.
• Fr. Berard Creed OFM Cap. with Bishop Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap. in 1968.
• Fr. Berard Creed OFM Cap. with Fr. Anthony Boran OFM Cap. and Fr. Capistran Singleton OFM Cap. and religious sisters (Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood) in Sesheke in 1968.
• Various scenes of friars at Malengwa during the visitation of Fr. Berard Creed OFM Cap. in 1968.
• Fr. Berard Creed OFM Cap. boarding an aircraft in Mongu, Zambia, in 1968.
• Fr. Dermot Lynch OFM Cap. and Fr. Bede Dolly OFM Cap. at the grave of Fr. Connor Brady OFM Cap. (d. 20 Apr. 1993) in Kaoma, in c.2001. It is noted that Fr. Bede Dolly OFM Cap. died on 18 Oct. 2004.

Copy of Br. Andrew O’Shea’s oral account of his missionary work in Northern Rhodesia (later Zambia). With a copy cover letter (and reply) from Fr. Edwin Flynn OFM Cap. to Fr. Theophilus Murphy OFM Cap, describing what they affirm is Br. Andrew’s 'Fioretti'. Br. Andrew served as a missionary in Africa from 1943-86. The script is given the following headings:
• Father Alfred O’Mahony OFM Cap. and Brother Xavier Cox OFM Cap. going on a journey.
• As a farmer sees it and as a city lad sees it.
• Somili and the Mubishopo – that is Monsignor Killian Flynn OFM Cap.
• Monsignor and the Maramba Girls Lapa (compound).
• Monsignor and the Sisters’ washing.
• Father Raymond Dillane’s Silver Jubilee.
• Father Raymond Dillane OFM Cap.
• Father Albeus McQuillan OFM Cap. and Linda Friary.
• The visit of the Fatima Statue of Our Lady to Mongu.
• The Holy Ghost and the oil stocks.
• My friend Kadom (by Father Christopher Crowley OFM Cap.).
• Tripe or fishtails.
• Kadom and the radio.
• The grand finale of Kadom.
• Snippets from mission life.
• Father Albert O’Mahony OFM Cap.
• Father James O’Mahony OFM Cap.
• Father Aquinas Carroll OFM Cap.
• African Holy Cross Sisters.
• Sister Rudolf.
• Fr. Capistran Singleton OFM Cap.
• Brother Xavier Cox OFM Cap.
• Sister Martin.
• Father Albert O’Mahony OFM Cap. on his first walking tour.
• Archbishop Matthews.
• Cardinal Spellman.
• A man from the agriculture department visits Lukulu.
• Father Ronan Herlihy OFM Cap. and Brother Andrew go fishing.
• Father Luke Browne’s attempt to cross the Zambezi in a jeep.
• Mission Buildings.
• Father Flannan Buckley OFM Cap. and the jam pots.
• Fr. Theophilus Murphy OFM Cap.
• Monsignor’s typewriter and the donkeys.
• Father Macanise, the donkeys and their scotch cart.
• Father Brian Browne OFM Cap. and his method of winter heating.
• Fr. Jerome MacQuillan OFM Cap. and the Divine Office.
• Spenser flies his plane.
• Father Albeus McQuillan OFM Cap.
• Father Livinus Keane OFM Cap.
• Brother Andrew O’Shea OFM Cap.
• Another cook called Peter, and the marmalade.
• Brother Gabriel McGillicuddy OFM Cap. and the bricks.
• Bishop Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap. and cars.
• The Thames trucks.