Jennings, Pacificus, 1920-2006, Capuchin priest

James Jennings was born in Ballintober (or Ballintubber) in County Mayo on 12 May 1928. He joined the Capuchin Franciscans in October 1946 and took Pacificus as his religious name. He was solemnly professed as a friar in October 1950 and was ordained to the priesthood on 19 May 1955. He spent five years at University College Cork and earned a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Arts, and a Higher Diploma in Education. He served as Dean of Rochestown College in County Cork from 1955-6 and was Master of Novices in the adjoining friary from 1956-8. He filled the same role in Kilkenny Friary for a further four years. He taught at St. Bonaventure’s Hostel in Cork from 1962-4. He subsequently returned to Rochestown for three years as Vice-Rector before moving to Ard Mhuire Friary in County Donegal where he served as guardian (local superior) from 1970-3. There followed spells as a curate (1975-80) in Priorswood parish in County Dublin and later as spiritual director of the diocesan seminary in Carlow. He later acted as retreat master in Raheny Friary in Dublin and spent a year (1985-6) in ministry with Irish Capuchin missionaries in New Zealand. He returned to Raheny and was appointed a chaplain to Irish schools in the Dublin Archdiocese and acted as editor of ‘The Capuchin’ periodical publication. His final appointment was to Ard Mhuire Friary and Retreat House in County Donegal. He died at Ard Mhuire on 18 March 2006 and was buried in the adjoining cemetery.

Baptismal name: James Jennings
Religious name: Fr. Pacificus Jennings OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 12 May 1928
Place of birth: Ballintober, County Mayo
Name of father: Patrick Jennings
Name of mother: Catherine Jennings (née Lavelle)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 3 Oct. 1946
Date of first profession: 4 Oct. 1947
Date of final profession: 4 Oct. 1950
Date of ordination (as priest): 19 May 1955
Educational attainments: BA 1st class hons. (1950); MA, 1st class hons. (1951); Higher Diploma in Education.
Date of death: 18 Mar. 2006
Place of death: Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary, County Donegal
Place of burial: Cemetery, Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary, County Donegal