Tuesday, June 1, 2010

History and Growth of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis

John Patrick Doyle 1874-1952
The history and growth of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis in the United States is closely connected with the life and work of this zealous Franciscan priest.
Born near Thules, County Tipperary, Ireland, John Patrick Doyle migrated with his parents to the united States in 1881; they settled in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating n 1897 from St. Francis College(Brooklyn,John decided to become a diocesan priest. He received his doctorate in theology in Rome, Italy and was ordained in 1901.
After several years as and assistant pastor in the Brooklyn diocese, Father Doyle was appointed professor of philosophy at St. Francis College and chaplain to the Franciscan of Brooklyn who ran the college. Two years later he became an assistant pastor again. In 1910, with his bishop's permission, Father Doyle entered the Third Order Regular at Loretto, Pennsylvania.
He soon became president of St. Francis College in Loretto, Pennhsylvania, where he reorganized the curriculum. In 1912 Father Doyle began St. Francis Seminary there for the education of diocesan and Third Regular Order priests. All the students were inspired by the holiness of his life. He was fondly known by the clergy and members of the Order as "Doctor Doyle." The friars benefited from his service as minister provincial (1924-37) and 1947-48).
When Father Doyle died on June 02,1952, hundreds of priests - many coming from distant places - attended his funeral.
QUOTE: Father Doyle liked to quote the Italian proverb "Corragio, il diavolo e morte"
("Have courage, the devil is dead").
Resource: Franciscan Saint of the day - Patrick McCloskey, OFM

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