News & Resources

Ireland
Ireland
The opening of SPIRARSI in north Dublin (Spiritan Initiative for Refugees and Asylum Seekers).
September 11, 1999
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Ireland
A Memorial chapel to all deceased Irish Spiritans is erected in Kimmage parish Church.
December 19, 1998
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Ireland
The process for the canonisation of Joseph Shanahan is started.
May 18, 1996
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Ireland
Following the promulgation of SRL, Spiritans in parish and hospital work in Ireland and the USA are grouped into Regional Communities.
May 13, 1989
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Ireland
A decision in principle was taken by the Provincial Council to set up a project in Dublin's inner city. Bishop Joseph Carroll approved the establishment of the Fatima Mansion's Group.…
January 25, 1988
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Ireland
An international Spiritan noviciate is set up in the former provincialate in Cypress Downs, Templeogue, Dublin.
March 2, 1987
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Ireland
The noviciate, shortly to become international, is set up at Cypress Downs, Dublin, in the former Provincialate. The latter moves to a new house in Temple Park, Rathgar.
October 30, 1983
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Ireland
The death of Fr. Francis Griffin at Rockwell at the age of 90. After serving many years on the General Council, he was elected the 17th Superior General (1950-1962), the…
September 6, 1983
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Ireland
Fr Paddy Smyth becomes the first Spiritan parish priest of the parish of Walkinstown Upper in Dublin. It becomes the Holy Spirit Parish of Greenhills. Two other parishes in the…
October 14, 1971
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Ireland
St Michael's College, Dublin, founded in 1944 as a primary school for Blackrock College, now becomes an independent community, operated as a full second-level educational facility.
December 16, 1970
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Ireland
The first Irish Provincial Chapter takes place at Blackrock during the first two weeks of the month.
July 10, 1970
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Ireland
"Concern" is founded to assist refugees during the Nigerian civil war. Later, "African Concern" is formed as an inter-denominational organisation of Irish people devoted to education, economic progress and relief…
March 19, 1968
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Ireland
The Patrician Congress, commemorating the 1,500th anniversary of the death of St Patrick is celebrated in Ireland with Cardinal Agagianian as Papal Legate. Among the highlights is a Missionary Exhibition…
June 18, 1961
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TransCanada
Irish Spiritans open a residence in Woodstock (Ontario) in Canada. This is the first step in the development of the new circumscription.
April 19, 1955
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TransCanada
Some Spiritans from the Irish Province arrive in Montreal en route for Woodstock, Ontario. The Irish Province has been asked to found an anglophone Canadian Province. The community of Woodstock…
October 17, 1954
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Nigeria
The first two Nigerians make their profession in Ireland as Spiritans: Frs. Godfrey Okoye and Anthony Nwedo.
June 14, 1951
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Ireland
John Charles McQuaid is ordained Archbishop of Dublin. He thus becomes the first and only Irish Spiritan to serve as a bishop in Ireland.
December 27, 1940
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Ireland
A property at Kilshane, Tipperary, is purchased in August and opens as a Novitiate for both clerics and brothers. It is able to accommodate 60 residents, novices and staff. Of…
November 7, 1933
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Ireland
The Holy Rosary Missionary Sisters with their Mother House at Killeshandra, Ireland, are founded by Bishop Shanahan. Nigeria is their first mission field but they are now working in 7…
October 7, 1924
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Ireland
The Legion of Mary is founded in Dublin by Mr Frank Duff and Mr Michael Toher, both Blackrock alumni. In 1948, Frank Duff is made an associate member of the…
September 7, 1921
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Ireland
The Faculty of Philosophy is transferred to St Mary's College, Rathmines. The Provincialate also transfers to this location. The faculty of Theology of Irish aspirants, until this year housed in…
March 11, 1917
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Ireland
The faculty of Theology for Irish aspirants, until this year housed in Chevilly, near Paris, is opened in Kimmage Manor with 29 students.
January 9, 1917
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Ireland
The Irish "Mission Band", transferred to the USA, begins its first mission in Harlem on 27 October, 1912. Mother Catharine Drexel (later beatified) offers the Province $ 6,000 a year…
October 27, 1912
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Ireland
Kimmage Manor, Whitehall Road, Dublin is acquired by Fr John Murphy, Provincial. The first clerical Spiritan noviciate in Ireland is inaugurated with Fr Michael Kelly as master of novices. A…
May 23, 1911
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Ireland
Fr Joseph Shanahan sets out from Ireland for Southern Nigeria where he is made Prefect Apostolic in 1905 and Vicar Apostolic in 1920. He is ordained Bishop in Maynooth College…
October 9, 1902
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From the notes and correspondence of Père Leman, the founder of Blackrock...
I don't know what these modest beginning will bring, but each day I am becoming more and more attached to this work in IrelandÀSo as to avoid wasting time and…
September 5, 1900
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Ireland
It is decided to set up a Senior Scholasticate for the Irish Province at St Joseph's, Rockwell. Among the eleven theological students is one Joseph Shanahan. The experiment lasts only…
October 3, 1898
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Ireland
Bro Onuphre Cooney set out from Ireland with Fr Charles Duparquet for the mission of Cimbabasie (Angola), later to be followed by Frs. John Hogan, Gerald Griffin and Joseph Lynch.
March 4, 1878
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Ireland
In a settlement with the Scottish Bishops, brokered by Cardinal Cullen, the Spiritans purchase Rockwell College for the sum of £ 7,000; it is henceforth used as a college and…
January 31, 1874
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Ireland
The first two Irish Spiritans are ordained to the priesthood: Fr Thomas Bracken is appointed to Sierra Leone and Fr William Power to Chandernagor in India.
August 26, 1866
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Ireland
Spiritans undertake the direction of the Scots College, Rockwell, Co Tipperary. It had been founded for the education of priests for Scotland. Fr P. Huvétys is appointed the first Superior.…
July 20, 1864
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Ireland
Brother Francis Carey is professed at Langonnet in France on 28 September and is immediately appointed to Chandernagor in India. He is the first Irish Spiritan to be sent to…
October 19, 1862
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Ireland
Père Jules Leman and three other confreres arrive in Ireland.
October 28, 1859
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Ireland
Death of Mr John Hand, the founder of All Hallow's College for Foreign Missions, Dublin. John Hand visits Libermann at La Neuville in May,1842 and they keep in touch subsequently.
May 20, 1848
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Ireland
Fr. Henry Power, a former student and professor of the Seminaire du Saint-Esprit in Paris, is co-opted as a director of the Congregation and in that capacity is among the…
October 1, 1822
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