Fr. Willie Doyle “Martyr of Charity”

Published on November 8, 2022

The Cause of Fr William Doyle SJ

You are cordially invited to the
Opening Session of the Diocesan Inquiry of
THE CAUSE OF THE BEATIFICATION AND CANONISATION
OF
THE SERVANT OF GOD,
FATHER WILLIAM DOYLE SJ
following Vespers for the Solemnity of Christ the King,
at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath,
on Sunday 20th November 2022 at 5pm.
Most Rev. Thomas Deenihan,
Bishop of Meath,

,

Last week Bishop Deenihan promulgated an Edict announcing that he was opening
the Cause for the Beatification and Canonisation of the Servant of God, Father William Doyle SJ
(1873-1917). The Opening Session of the Cause will take place at the Cathedral on Sunday 20
November 2022 at 5pm, following Sung Vespers of the Solemnity of Christ the King.
Father Doyle is renowned for his holiness and heroism and, though he died over a hundred years
ago, his reputation for sanctity and intercessory power endures and devotion is stronger than ever
throughout the world. A whole new generation is discovering him and he is winning the hearts of
young Catholics who are impressed with his heroic spirit, his vibrant personality, and his intense
spiritual life.
Father Willie’s connection with our diocese is an important one. He entered the Jesuits at the
college in Rahan in March 1891 and the two years he spent there were among the most formative
in his life. It was there, in May 1893, he made the Oblation of his life, through the hands of Mary,
to live a life of martyrdom even to the point of physical martyrdom. Not only did Willie remain
faithful to that offering but his death on the battlefield as a ‘martyr of charity’ on 16 August 1917,
as he was trying to save two wounded soldiers is seen by many as the consummation of that
offering. The official website for his Canonisation offers details on his life, holiness, and sacrifice,
see: williedoyle.org.