100 Years...

The experience of the God of love and mercy opened the eyes of St. Vincent Pallotti to the needs of the Church of his day. It was on January 9th 1835, as he made his thanksgiving prayer after receiving Holy Communion, that St. Vincent received from God the inspiration to found the Pallottine family, ‘the Union of Catholic Apostolate’. This universal apostolate, common to all classes of people, would consist in doing all that one must and can do for the greater glory of God and for one’s salvation and that of one’s neighbour. This gift or charism of the Holy Spirit, open to all members of the Church, would be dedicated to the renewing of faith and rekindling love in the Church and in the world, bringing all to unity in Christ.

100 years ago, on March 23rd, 1909, at the invitation of Archbishop Fennelly, one of the central communities of the Pallottine family, ‘the Society of the Catholic Apostolate’ (Pallottine priests and brothers), came to Thurles in the persons of Fr. John Webber S.A.C.   (a German Pallottine), John Boyle, (a student) and Austin Ryan (an Australian postulant), and a college for training Pallottine missionaries was established.

Since then, Pallottines have carried the love of Christ and the Pallottine way of living this out, to many countries of the world. Members of what is known as, ‘Mother of Divine Love Provence’, currently live and work in Ireland, England, Rome, the U.S.A., Argentina, Colombia, Scotland, Tanzania and Kenya. Much has been achieved over the years, with lives and communities built-up and transformed by the faith and love and dedication of so many Pallottines.

As we welcome the centenary of our presence in Ireland we see that, in a certain sense, our work is only beginning, as we wrestle to make sense of and give concrete living expression to the vision of the Church which God has given us in the charism of the Union of Catholic apostolate, entrusted to us through St. Vincent Pallotti.

100 YEARS OF THE IRISH PROVINCE OF THE PALLOTTINE FATHERS & BROTHERS: 100 YEARS OF THE “PALLOTTINE COLLEGE” IN THURLES

 by Bishop Séamus Freeman SAC

 Brothers and Sisters in the Risen Lord,

Today, we celebrate the 4th Sunday after Easter. It is also the Feast of St. Philip and St. James, but because it is a Sunday of the Easter liturgical season, that feast is cancelled, this year. However, we do have a very particular reason for this afternoon’s Eucharistic celebration. The Pallottine Family of Ireland is gathered here today to mark the 100th year of presence here in Thurles. I am grateful for the invitation to share some thoughts with you all on this memorable occasion.

Address Of the Provincial Eamonn Monson sac

Civic Reception, Thurles

Beginnings

The Pallottine family had its beginnings in Rome in 1835 when St. Vincent Pallotti received the vision that every baptized person is called to participate in the mission of Christ and the Church. That mission, at its most basic, is the spreading of faith and charity throughout the world, each person using the gifts and circumstances of life given by God.

It is a mission that brought the Pallottines to Thurles on March 23^rd 1909. Mons. James Ryan, who was President of St. Patrick’s College at the time, was friendly with some Pallottines in Rome and London and it was through him that we came here, having received the permission of Archbishop Thomas Fennelly.

As well as playing a key role in our coming to Thurles, Mons Ryan was also a very generous benefactor. On his death he bequeathed to the Pallottines his house (named the Hermitage) and some land. This became the Pallottine Novitiate from 1943 until 1971.