Part 17 - Letter from Fr. Justin Hyland OFM Cap.

William Hyland was born in the village of Lanesborough in County Longford on 11 February 1894. He joined the Capuchin Franciscans in November 1912 and took Justin as his religious name upon entering the novitiate. He was ordained to the priesthood on 21 May 1921. In 1929 he was transferred to the American mission custody. He was assigned to the community at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Abbottstown in Pennsylvania. Just two years later he was recalled to Ireland and was appointed novice master. For the greater part of his life in ministry, Fr. Justin was involved in the formation and training of student friars. He was a lector of theology and director of students in both St. Bonaventure’s Hostel and in Rochestown Friary in County Cork and was master of cleric novices for twelve years. He also served as master of lay brother novices. In addition, he was guardian (local superior) of Holy Trinity Friary in Cork for seven years and was President of Father Mathew Memorial Hall on Church Street in Dublin from 1943 to 1945. He spent the later years of his life residing with the Raheny community in Dublin. He died on 24 May 1977. He was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.

Baptismal name: William Hyland
Religious name: Fr. Justin Hyland OFM Cap.
Date of birth: 11 February 1894
Place of birth: Lanesborough, County Longford (Diocese of Ardagh)
Name of father: Patrick Hyland (Farmer)
Name of mother: Brigid Hyland (née Brennan)
Date of reception into the Capuchin Order: 22 Nov. 1912
Date of first profession: 25 Mar. 1914
Date of final profession: 22 Dec. 1917
Date of ordination (as priest): 21 May 1921
Educational attainments: BA (1917); MA (1924)
Missionary activities: Travelled to the United States in 1929. He returned to Ireland in 1931.
Date of death: 24 May 1977
Place of death: Church Street, Dublin
Place of burial: Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin