Showing 28 results

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. expressing his relief at being able to work again and affirming that he would like to do more preaching. He also refers to communications from Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. and to his distress on not having access to Irish newspapers. Reference is also made to the troubled state of Ireland. He writes ‘the greatest opportunity that came for nearly 800 years lost: it would make one’s blood boil’.

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., confirming that a letter has arrived from the Provincial Minister stating that he has arranged for his travelling to Abbottstown in Pennsylvania. Fr. Albert writes ‘I simply dread the saying good-bye here. But I see I must face it and rely on God’s help to bring me through this as he has brought me through other unpleasant experiences in the past’.

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby, St. Benedict’s Rectory, 320 West End Street, New York, to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., re his arrival in New York and to his meeting with Fr. Solanus Casey OFM Cap. He describes Casey as ‘a New Yorker, a great worker in the cause and a grand Friar of genial but somewhat ascetic type. He speaks at meetings, writes in [the] Press, and is the friend and trusted confidant of the right people’. Fr. Albert also refers to divisions in the Irish community in New York and notes that ‘our friends are split up into pieces – too bad. I’m speaking with a grand type of man who with tears in his eyes spoke of Liam M[ellows] … English gold and English diplomacy is at work in sowing the seeds of discord here’. He concludes that ‘the more I see here the greater my appreciation of Ireland’.

A note from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. referring to his preparations for his departure for the Santa Inés mission in California. Bibby remarks that he arrived in New York City 'almost a wreck' but leaves it in 'pretty good form'.

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., St. Francis Hospital, Santa Barbara, to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., referring to his weakening condition and suggesting that the end is near. He writes ‘I know my dear mother and sisters will feel my death – won’t you write and console them’. He asks to be remembered in a lengthy list of family members and friends. Bibby writes 'Remember me to all the brethren – for no one have I the smallest particle of bitterness, though alas I have often said bitter things for which I in heartily sorrow'.

A group of Capuchin friars with musical instruments in the Kilkenny Friary in c.1905. Identifiable individuals include:
Front row (seated):
First on the left: Br. Edward Walsh OFM Cap. (1881-1961)
First on the right: Br. Ignatius Collins OFM Cap. (1885-1961)

Second row (seated):
First on the right: Br. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap. (1874-1938)
First on the left: Br. Brendan O’Callaghan OFM Cap. (1880-1952)

Third row (standing):
First on the right: Br. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. (1877-1925)
Second on the right: Br. Cyril O’Sullivan OFM Cap. (1887-1921)
Third on the right: Br. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. (1880-1968)
Second on the left: Br. Gregory O’Kelly OFM Cap. (d. 9 Apr. 1947)
First on the left: Br. Philip King OFM Cap. (1885-1952)

Fourth row (standing):
First on the right: Br. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. (1883-1935)
Second on the right: Br. Malachy Hynes OFM Cap. (1879-1955)
Third on the right: Br. Berchmans Cantillon OFM Cap. (1880-1942)
Forth on the right: Br. Columbus Murphy OFM Cap. (1881-1962)
Second on the left: Br. Adrian Sharkett OFM Cap. (1879-1965)
First on the left: Br. Colman Griffin OFM Cap. (1886-1971

An image of a large group of Capuchin friars. A cover annotation reads: ‘Fr. Edwin and students’. Identifiable individuals include:
Second row, second from the right: Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap. (1874-1938)
Second row, third from the right: Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. (1877-1925)
First row, second from the right: Fr. Ignatius Collins OFM Cap. (1885-1961)
Third row, first from the right: Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap. (1886-1971)
Third row, third from the right: Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. (1880-1968)
Third row, fifth from the right: Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. (1883-1935)

A group of Capuchin friars and students at Rochestown Friary, County Cork, in c.1928. The group includes (first row, third from the right) Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap. (1874-1938) and (front row, second from the left) Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. (1880-1968).

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., referring to his arrival in Pennsylvania. He states that he ‘is trying to settle down – but my heart is ever pining to be back. However I’ll stick it until the decree of banishment is revoked. Those who sent me out here gave me the heaviest blow it was possible to give me’. He expresses his joy on hearing of the release of De Valera and Austin Stack. He also refers to Éamon de Valera’s address and concludes that he is a great man. He affirms ‘I never before thought so much of Dev as I do now’. He also refers to his hope that he will meet with Captain Robert Monteith in Detroit.

Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., suggesting that a person of the calibre of Seán French (1889-1937) should be in America as he would ‘heal the wounds and bitterness caused by divisions of the past few years’. Bibby also refers to his ill-health and remarks that he dreaded the idea of 'being buried with the Penn[sylvania] Dutch over 3,000 miles from dear old Ireland '. He also makes some caustic remarks in relation to Fr. Peter Bowe, the Irish Capuchin Provincial Minister, who is on a visitation to the the Western United States mission. He suggests that the Provincial is 'in no hurry – making most of every hour and every place – he has made his journey one joy ride, all the way and all the time. Everywhere you hear he is out for a good time. What an ideal!'.