Item 55 - Letter from Fr. Finbarr O’Callaghan

Edward O’Callaghan was born in Cork on 16 November 1879. He joined the Capuchin Franciscan Order in September 1896 and took Finbarr as his religious name. He was ordained to the priesthood on 28 September 1902. He was among the first Irish friars to be sent to the University of Louvain but his time (1902-4) in Belgium was cut short by ill-health. He spent the early years of his ministry as a priest in Holy Trinity Friary in Cork and was appointed Vicar for that community. In 1924 he was transferred to the United States mission and served as Pastor in Willits in Mendocino County, California. He returned to Ireland in 1936 and was again appointed to Holy Trinity Friary in Cork. He was noted for his work with the Third Order of St. Francis lay confraternity and the Purgatorial Society attached to Holy Trinity Church. He died in Cork on 9 March 1963. He was buried in the cemetery adjoining the Capuchin Friary in Rochestown, County Cork.

Baptismal name: Edward O’Callaghan
Religious name: Fr. Finbarr O’Callaghan OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 16 Nov. 1879
Place of birth: Cork
Name of father: William O’Callaghan
Name of mother: Catherine O’Brien (née O’Brien)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 8 Sept. 1896
Date of first profession: 4 Oct. 1897
Date of final profession: 2 Aug. 1902
Date of ordination (as priest): 28 Sept. 1902
Educational attainments: BA (RUI), 1901
Missionary activities: Travelled to Western United States mission in Apr. 1924. He returned to Ireland in 1936.
Date of birth: 9 Mar. 1963
Place of death: St. Joseph’s Hospital, Cork
Place of burial: Cemetery, Rochestown Capuchin Friary, County Cork