Lectures on the history of the Irish Capuchin missions (primarily in Africa) compiled by Fr. Angelus Healy OFM Cap. The talks were likely prepared for promotional and educational purposes. They include copy documents including a letter from the Most Rev. Bernard O’Riley, Vicar Apostolic of Cape Town, to Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, requesting a Capuchin foundation in his diocese (12 May 1927), and copy letters from Archbishop Carlo Salotti, Secretary of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, to Fr. Melchor a Benisa OFM Cap., Minister General, re the Irish Capuchin mission in Barotseland, Northern Rhodesia (Jan. 1931).
Letters of Fr. Agathangelus Herlihy OFM Cap. (1911-1968) referring to his early experiences as a missionary in Northern Rhodesia and later to developments in South Africa (particularly in the Capuchin Vicariate established in Cape Town in 1949). Correspondents include Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister; Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Minister; Fr. Stanislaus Kavanagh OFM Cap., Provincial Secretary.
Letter from Br. Alexius Paolucci OFM Cap. (1898-1983) to Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, on the progress of building work in Northern Rhodesia. He writes: ‘These buildings of course will be of native constructions, up to the time that the Fathers will have enough bricks made to build good buildings’.
Photographic album of Fr. Jarlath Gough OFM Cap. The album contains un-captioned black and white photographic prints. Fr. Jarlath was resident in Northern Rhodesia from 1936-49. The collection includes some views of local worshipers and parishioners (in Northern Rhodesia and in South Africa). Includes prints of Fr. Christopher Crowley OFM Cap., Fr. Luke Sheehan OFM Cap., Fr. Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap., Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap., Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap. (Provincial Minister from 1931-7) with Fr. Paschal Larkin OFM Cap., Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap. and others, a group of young friars at St. Bonaventure’s Friary, the voyage of the Union Castle Line ship, RMMV 'Cape Town Castle', in December 1947.
Letter from Fr. Timothy Connery OFM Cap. (1908-1996) to Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, affirming that his health has improved and thanking him for his kind words of encouragement. The file includes a copy medical report affirming that Fr. Timothy is ‘quite unfitted for work in the bush’ (28 Apr. 1938). With a letter from Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap. referring to Fr. Timothy’s medical examination in Cape Town and thanking him for his three years’ work in Africa (24 June 1938).
Copy report by Monsignor Killian Flynn OFM Cap. on the Livingstone-Barotseland Mission for Fr. Virgilio de Valstagna OFM Cap., Minister General. With a cover letter to Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister. The report notes that the mission is intended to be raised to the status of a Prefecture. The report is divided into the following sections: Territory Population Local Tribes and Languages Towns Government Non-Catholic Missions Other Sects Religious Beliefs of the Europeans Attitude towards Catholicism Education in Barotseland and Livingstone Historical Resume of Capuchin Endeavour a. Livingstone b. Barotseland c. Early Mission Policy d. Teachers and Catechists e. Turn in the Tide f. In the Lealui District g. In the Senanga District Material Grand Total Mission Difficulties Summarised Mission Prospects Conclusion
Letters from Fr. Jarlath Gough OFM Cap. (1902-1983) to Fr. Kieran O’Callaghan OFM Cap. and Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, describing his arrival in South Africa and his impressions of the ‘truly astonishing’ work being done by the Irish Capuchins in Northern Rhodesia.
Copy report by Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap. on the mission of Livingstone-Barotseland in the Prefecture of Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia. The report is divided into the following sections: I. Situation, area, population etc. II. Historical Survey I. Prior to the coming of the Capuchin Fathers II. Coming of the Capuchin Fathers Livingstone Loanja Loanja Out-Schools Momba Mulobezi III. Applications for New Stations Translations of Catechisms IV. Details and Statistics Babemba Church and School, Livingstone Church of the Little Flower, Livingstone Barotse Church and School, Livingstone Loanja Momba Mulobezi V. Sphere of Influence of each Station Loanja Kabompo Lumbi VI. Method of Converting the Locals Results Secured VII. Working of Schools Babemba school, police camp, Livingstone Zambesi Saw-Mills Compound School, Livingstone School at Loanja Mission School at Saw-Mills Compound, Mulobezi VIII. Difficulties Hampering Work Influence of Protestant Missionaries Poverty of Districts Transport IX. Prospects for the Future X. Tribes XI. Languages XII. Financial Outlay of Mission from Beginning A manuscript note by Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap. reads: ‘This amount does not include monies spent in building church and schools in Athlone parish and church in Parow parish, South Africa, amounting to over £7,000’.
Draft and copy letters of Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap. relating to the Irish Capuchin missions in Africa. The file includes copy letters to Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, Fr. Sylvester Mulligan OFM Cap., General Definitor, and Fr. Maurice Dowd OFM Cap., and a letter from Fr. Hilary McDonagh OFM Cap. On 21 May 1948, Fr. James wrote ‘We feel that there is great future for the Irish Province in South Africa where the Irish Capuchins were the first, and still stand alone, in their mission to pure natives in the Langa Compound’.
