Draft recollections of deceased Irish Capuchin friars compiled by an unknown author (but certainly by another friar). The texts are titled ‘Some who have gone before’ and ‘Predecessors / A Capuchin Reverie’. The text includes personal recollections of: Fr. Leonard Brophy OFM Cap. (1869-1930) Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. (1877-1925) Fr. Matthew O’Connor OFM Cap. (d. 27 Apr. 1930) Br. Felix Harte OFM Cap. (d. 11 Jan. 1935) Fr. Fidelis Neary OFM Cap. (d. 22 June 1932) Fr. Sebastian O’Brien OFM Cap. (1867-1931) Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap. (d. 20 June 1939) The text also refers to several friars who have been given pseudonyms such as ‘Philemon’, ‘Junius’, and ‘Marcion’. The text includes references to Fr. Albert’s role in the 1916 Rising and in the later revolutionary period. It reads: ‘He felt, as few did, the piercing griefs of the young widows of Easter Week. Often would he visit them of an evening. … He made friends with the wistful little son and daughter who were orphaned by the bullets that took [Thomas] MacDonagh’s life away, and who were made motherless by the cruel waves that closed over the drowning body of the patriot’s bride [Muriel MacDonagh drowned in the sea off Skerries, County Dublin, on 9 July 1917]. For them he had a special corner in his affections. All his heart went out to that wee pair, so tragic, so utterly lonely’. The file also includes an attached clipping referring to the re-interment of the bodies of Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. and Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. in Rochestown Capuchin Cemetery on 14 June 1958
File relating to cures associated with visits to the grave of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Cork. The file was compiled by Fr. Stanislaus Kavanagh OFM Cap. The file includes: • Statements from Hannah Keohane regarding her son who was cured through the intercession of prayers at the grave of Fr. Theobald. (18 Mar. 1943). • Letters to Fr. Stanislaus from Fr. Mel Farrell OFM Cap. and Fr. T.J. Walsh re Annie Nolan, 21 Abbey Street, Cork, who reputedly recovered her sight through the intercession of Fr. Theobald. • Statements and correspondence re Madge Twomey whose throat condition was cured through visits to the grave. • Letters relating to Mrs Kathleen Skillington (née Walsh) whose leg was cured following a visit to Fr. Theobald’s grave. The file includes the testimony of Dr D. F. Hegarty, surgeon. 5 Jan 1938. • Letter from Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap. to Fr. Stanislaus Kavanagh OFM Cap. referring to the cause of Fr. Mathew. He wrote ‘It is to be regretted that there is no one of ourselves free and willing to take an interest in the cause – as according to rumours a great many things occur at the grave. The people come from a distance. No one has any knowledge of themselves, the favours they have received or where they come from’. 28 Jan. 1932. Manuscript, 2 pp. • ‘Father Mathew / Leader and Priest / Cures wrought at his tomb’. The text of a speech given by Fr. Aloysius Travers OSFC on the occasion of the 123rd anniversary of the birth of Fr. Mathew. Oct. 1913. Typescript, 8 pp. • Prayer for the beatification of Fr. Theobald Mathew OSFC. It is noted that this prayer was submitted to the Most Rev. Daniel Coholan, Bishop of Cork, for ecclesiastical approval in May 1928. Typescript, 1 p.
Letter of Fr. Hilary McDonagh OFM Cap., Via Boncompagni, 71, Rome, to Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap., informing him that he has located a letter from the late Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap, in the archives of the General Capuchin Curia. Fr. Hilary writes: ‘I am informed that it is not usual nor advisable to allow such documents into any hands outside the Curia, so I fear it will not be possible to allow it to be used by any historian of the sad period about which it centres – at least for the present’. With cover.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., St. Francis Hospital, Santa Barbara, California, to Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap., stating that he is ‘perfectly resigned to God’s will and wonderfully happy family’. An annotation on the top of page reads: Fr. Albert’s last letter to me. It was posted after his death. Fr. Paul’
Letter from Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap., Brussels, to Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap., St. Mary of the Angels, Church Street, Dublin, regarding information found in continental archives regarding the early Irish Capuchins particularly in respect of Fr. Francis Nugent OFM Cap. With cover.
Letters from Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. to Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap. reporting on his research on the early Irish Capuchins in continental archives including repositories in Troyes and Charleville, ‘home of the Irish Friars of former days’. Fr. Dominic affirms that ‘further communications would be safer if addressed to c/o Mr. Seán T. O Ceallaigh, Grand Hotel, Place de l’Opera, Paris’ (3 Dec. 1919).
Letters to Fr. Aloysius Travers OSFC, Provincial Minister, and Fr. Paul Neary OSFC regarding parish missions and retreats. The letters refer to retreats in County Galway, Glenmore (Waterford), Castlebellingham (Louth) and Ballygawley (Tyrone).
The receipt reads: ‘Received from Fr. Paul [Neary] OSFC – a small sealed parcel – addressed to Mrs McBride – mother of the late Major McBride. Fred J. Allan, City Hall’. With cover
An image of a group of Capuchin Friars in the garden of St. Mary of the Angels, Capuchin Friary, Church Street, Dublin. One of the friars is identifiable. The friar (second on the left) is Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap. (1857-1939). An annotation on the cover gives the location of the photograph.
