Item 14 - Letter from Fr. Cormac Forrest to Fr. Colman Griffin

William John Forrest was born in Youghal in County Cork on 8 February 1911. He was initially educated in the Christian Brothers’ School in Youghal and later in the Cistercian College at Mount Melleray. He completed his secondary schooling with the Christian Brothers on Sullivan’s Quay in Cork and at the Capuchin College in Rochestown. He joined the Capuchin Franciscans in October 1929 and took Cormac as his religious name. He studied philosophy in University College Cork and received a BA degree in 1933. He was solemnly professed as a Capuchin friar in October 1933 and was ordained to the priesthood in Ard Mhuire Capuchin Friary in County Donegal on 27 June 1937. He served as Dean of Rochestown College in Cork from 1938 to 1946. Afterwards, he was appointed Master of Novices and Vicar in Kilkenny Friary. From 1949 to 1952 he was guardian (local superior) in Kilkenny and from 1952 to 1955 he was guardian of the Rochestown community. He was subsequently transferred to Holy Trinity Friary in Cork serving as Vicar for twelve years. A well-known preacher, retreat-giver, and confessor in his native Cork, he died in Holy Trinity Friary on 19 February 1991. He was buried in the cemetery adjoining Rochestown Capuchin Friary.

Baptismal name: William John Forrest
Religious name: Fr. Cormac Forrest OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 8 Feb. 1911
Place of birth: Youghal, County Cork (Diocese of Cloyne)
Name of father: Simon Forrest
Name of mother: Christina Forrest (née O’Connor)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 3 Oct. 1929
Date of first profession: 4 Oct. 1930
Date of final profession: 4 Oct. 1933
Date of ordination (as priest): 27 June 1937
Educational attainments: BA (1933)
Date of death: 19 Feb. 1991
Place of death: Holy Trinity Capuchin Friary, Cork
Place of burial: Cemetery, Rochetown Capuchin Friary, Cork