Showing 28 results

Born: 1594, Limerick City, County Limerick
Entered: 27 February 1670, Limerick
Ordained: Limerick - pre Entry
Died: 28 February 1670, Limerick City, County Limerick (“in articulo mortis”)

Alias Creevy

◆ Fr Edmund Hogan SJ “Catalogica Chronologica” :
Had the General’s permission to enter “in articulo mortis” (cf Foley’s Collectanea)

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ :
Ordained before Ent 1628 Back Lane Dublin
In the Winter 1626-1627 he asked to be received into the Society. The General wrote a letter to the Provincial of Flanders on 24 April 1627 instructing him to receive Fr Creagh into the Novitiate at Mechelen, and he Entered there the following year (1628). During his Noviceship he was advised that the Society was not suitable for him, and so he LEFT on good terms with the Society.
He then returned to Limerick and remained a staunch friend of the Society over the succeeding years.
In 1663 he asked the Superior of the Mission if he could be received into the Society again “in articulo mortis” and the General agreed to his request. Seven years later, the Mission Superior Richard Bourke (de Burgo), while on a visit to Limerick, received him into the Society on 27 February 1670, and he died there the following day 28 February 1670.
He may well be the young priest mentioned as working with Thomas Bourke in Limerick of 1621, and described as an “aspirant” to the Society.

◆ George Oliver Towards Illustrating the Biography of the Scotch, English and Irish Members SJ
CREEVY, ROBERT. He is thus mentioned in F. Richard Burke s letter, dated Galway, the 4th of April, 1670, - “Mr. Robert Creevy, Priest, aged 57, with your permission was admitted at Limerick to the simple vows of the Society, on the 27th of February, and died on the day following

Born: 15 February 1938, Stiles Road, Clontarf, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 23 September 1972, Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin
Died: 18 July 1973, Wicklow Town, County Wicklow

Part of Manresa community, Dollymount, Dublin at time of his death.

Educated at Crescent College SJ, Limerick, and CUS Dublin

1972-1973: Manresa House, Dollymount, Dublin, Novitiate

◆ Irish Province News 48th Year No 4 1973

Obituary :

Mr Brian Delaney (1938-1973)

Brian was what would be called nowadays “a delayed vocation”, entering the novitiate at Manresa at the age of thirty-four. He was born 15th February, 1938, and entered 23rd September 1973. His first contact with the Society was as a small boy at the Crescent. His memories of those days in Limerick were hazy as he left with the family for Dublin when he was nine. He received his secondary education at Marino, O’Connell Schools and CUS.

Equipped with Leaving Cert. and Matric he went into Esso Petroleum Company and spent thirteen years with the firm, the last seven as a representative, In 1961 he obtained the Diploma in Public Administration. From 1969 he ran his own very successful service station,

While in Esso Brian became associated with Manresa Retreat House as a promoter and continued the good work even after he had left the company. During the retreat in January 1972 he came to the present writer for a chat. The burden of his remarks, of which he often spoke afterwards was that he was great for about a month after each retreat and up for early Mass, etc. but that then the effects wore off. In his complete sincerity this worried him so it was arranged that if he did not get in touch after a month he was to be “looked up”.

He was back in a month and all was well; some weeks later, back again to say that his business while prosperous was appearing to lose interest for him and that he would like to be a priest. The next time, with no prompting, he expressed a wish, diffidently but earnestly, to enter the Society. From that time until he was accepted formally his one anxiety was that he may be deemed unsuitable.

As a novice he was happy as never before. He said after several months that he was always wondering when the “let down” would come. Perhaps the only real problem for him was the effort to give up smoking - not surprising since he had contracted a habit of very heavy consumption of cigarettes; he mastered the weakness to the extent that he could accept a cigarette on the community occasions they were available without trepidation of a relapse.

The Irish and English novices had their villa arranged for Wicklow - a reciprocation of last year's villa in the Isle of Wight. On the afternoon of this fifth day of the holiday, July 18th, Fr M P Gallagher who was in charge went golfing in company with Brian and one of the English novices, Stuart Agnew. Brian was an expert and the others merely beginners. He however did not appear to be on his game. Coming up the hill at the fifth hole he got a pain in the chest and had to rest. He thought it a recurrence of an ulcer complaint from which he had suffered formerly. The pain seemed to pass and they decided to continue the game. Not for long, alas, for with the second hole he seemed to stagger and admitted it had come again; they decided to return to the club house, playing a hole going that direction any way. When Fr Gallagher looked towards him he saw him lying on the ground : it was serious. Stuart went for a doctor while the priest gave absolution; the matron of the local hospital was on the links at the next green, and came endeavouring to render artificial respiration but in vain - a coronary attack of a massive type had intervened.

The doctor arrived within ten minutes but too late.

Fr Gallagher continues : “the novices assembled in the improvised chapel where Brian had received Holy Communion that morning seemed possessed with a common recognition that Brian had found the Lord, ‘in the middle of life's span’, in a manner that provided for him great happiness and preparedness to enter into His presence”. RIP

Born: County Wexford
Entered: United States of America Province (USA)
Died: 04 April 1828, St Inigo’s, Maryland, USA

Entered: Tolosanae Province (TOLO)
Died: 11 September 1719, Toulouse, France

Born: 01 April 1809, Barna, County Galway
Entered: 25 September 1839, Novitiate, East 2nd Street, Frederick MD, USA - Marylandiae Province
Died: 26 September 1841. Newtown MD, USA - Marylandiae Province

part of the Novitiate, East 2nd Street, Frederick MD, USA community at the time of death

Brother Novice

1839-1841: Novitiate, East 2nd Street, Frederick MD, USA (MAR), Novitiate

Born: 1672, Rathwire, County Westmeath
Entered: 02 May 1694, Villagarcía, Galicia, Spain - Castellanae Province (CAST)
Died: 13 March 1695, Entered 02 May 1694, Villagarcía, Galicia, Spain - Castellanae Province (CAST)

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ :
Son of Raymone and Eleanor née Morvilla
Had already studied Philosophy at the Irish College Salamanca before Entry 02 May 1694 Villagarcía (name appears in list of students examined there 01 October 1692)
Died at the Novitiate Villagarcía 13 May 1695 - 10 months after admission

Born: 14 January 1868, County Kildare
Entered: 24 March 1897, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Died: 02 October 1898, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly

◆ Menologies
He was a Carpenter by trade.
He died at Tullabeg 02/10/1898 just over a year and a half after Entry.

Born: 10 October 1645, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 23 September 1668, Avignon, France - Ludgdunensis Province (LUGD)
Died: 04 December 1669, Avignon, France - Ludgdunensis Province (LUGD)

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ:
May have been a brother of Nicholas Gaydon
During his Noviceship he died 04 December 1669

Born: 1652, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 1669, Seville, Spain - Baeticae Province (BAE)
Died: 01 January 1670, Seville, Spain - Baeticae Province (BAE)

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ :
May have been a brother of Francis Gaydon
Studied Humanities at Ambert, France before Came to Irish College Seville, and shortly afterwards Ent in Seville July 1669.
He died as a Novice in Seville six months after Ent on 01 January 1670.

Born: 23 September 1860, Banagher, County Derry
Entered: 12 November 1890, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Ordained: - pre Entry
Died: 17 April 1892, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly

Parents National School Teachers

Early education at St Columb’s Derry, St Patrick’s College Maynooth

1890-1892: St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly, Novitiate

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
Contracted flu a year and a half into his Novitiate. He was already a priest. he died at Tullabeg 17 April 1892

Born: 1598, Thomond, County Clare
Entered: 1617, Lisbon, Portugal - Lusitaniae Province (LUS)
Died: 16 November 1619, Lisbon, Portugal - Lusitaniae Province (LUS)

Alias de Amaral

◆ Fr Edmund Hogan SJ “Catalogica Chronologica” :
Two Entries : Gorman (1); Michael Amaraly (2)
Matthew Gorman
DOB Tuam or Thomond; Ent 1616 Portugal; RIP post 1617
Michael Amalary
DOB Ireland; Ent 1619 Lisbon; RIP 01 November 1619

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ :
He died at the Novitiate fifteen months after Ent in Lisbon 16 November 1619

Born: 1818, County Meath
Entered: 24 July 1895, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Died: 23 August 1895, Clongowes Wood, College SJ, Naas, County Kildare

part of the St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly community at the time of death

Took vows on his death-bed?

He was at one time said to be in business, and also said to have means.
He was a Brother Novice for a very short period. He had lived at Clongowes as a “Parlour Boarder” for some years. He was a companion on the farm to Eugene Duffy.

1895-1895: St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly, Novitiate

Place of birth: [County Cork].
Entered: Palermo, Sicily Italy - Siculiae Province (SIC)
Died: 08 February 1734, novitiate, Palermo, Sicily, Italy - Siculiae Province (SIC)

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ
His nationality is not mentioned but his surname suggests he may have been of County Cork origin.

Born: 1785, Ireland
Entered: 30 September 1809, Liverpool, England "in articulo mortis" - Angliae Province (ANG)
Died: 30 September 1809, Liverpool, England - Angliae Province (ANG)

◆ Fr Edmund Hogan SJ “Catalogica Chronologica” :
Was sent to Stonyhurst from Carlow College to complete his Humanities in the Summer of 1805. He passed through the classes from Grammar to Rhetoric with the highest credit, but ill health prevented his entering the Novitiate. In the last week of 1809, he was admitted to Vows in the Society “in articulo mortis” at Liverpool.

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
Died a Novice (Scholastic inserted in pen)

◆ George Oliver Towards Illustrating the Biography of the Scotch, English and Irish Members SJ
JONES, JAMES. This talented native ot Ireland, was sent from the College of Carlow to Stonyhurst in the summer of 1805. For the next two years I had the honour of being his master in Grammar and Syntax. On my quitting the College, he pursued the studies of Poetry and Rhetorick with the highest credit, but bad health would not permit him to join the Novitiate. Just before his death in the last week of September, 1809, F. Sewall received the Vows of this most pious and promising youth at Liverpool.

Born: 08 November 1810, County Tyrone
Entered: 23 August 1834, Novitiate, East 2nd Street, Frederick MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Died: 15 January 1836, Novitiate, East 2nd Street, Frederick MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)

1834-1836: Novitiate, East 2nd Street, Frederick MD, USA (MAR), Novitiate

Born: 1603, Fethard, County Tipperary
Entered: 12 March 1619, Villagarcía, Galicia, Spain - Castellanae Province (CAST)
Died: 04 March 1620, Villagarcía, Galicia, Spain - Castellanae Province (CAST)

1619 Scholastic Novice at Villagarcía Age 16 - had finished his biennium of Philosophy

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ :
Son of Raymond and Helena née Hackett
Had already begun studies at Salamanca before Ent 12 March 1619 Villagarcía, where he died as a First Year Novice 04 March 1620

Born: 14 February 1808, Gormanstown Castle, County Meath
Entered: 24 September 1826, Teignmouth, Devon, England - Angliae Province (ANG)
Died: 24 September 1826, Brookfield House, Teignmouth, Devon, England - Angliae Province (ANG)

Sixth son of Viscount Gormanston - Honourable Edmund Preston and Margaret (Arthur) of Gormastown Castle

Had studied at Stonyhurst, but being attacked by rapid consumption died 24 September 1826 at Teignmouth, Devon

1826-1827: Brookfield House, Teignmouth, Devon, England (ANG), Novitiate

◆ George Oliver Towards Illustrating the Biography of the Scotch, English and Irish Members SJ
PRESTON, EDMUND, was born at Gormanston Castle on the 14th of February, 1808; and was educated at Stonyhurst. This devout Scholastic died of a decline at Brookfield House, West Teignmouth, Devon, on Sunday morning, 24th of September, 1826. A sarcophagus tomb on the north side of West Teignmouth churchyard, near the entrance gate, encloses his remains, and there I copied the following inscription :
SACRED
To the Memory of the Honourable
EDMUND PRESTON,
(Sixth son of the Right Hon. Lord,
Viscount Gormanston, of Gormanston
Castle, County of Meath, Ireland,)
Who died at Teignmouth, 26th Sept. 1826,
in the nineteenth year of his age.

PRESTON, EDMUND, born at Gormanston Castle, on the 14th of February, 1808 : educated at Stonyhurst. This most pious Scholastic died of a rapid decline at Brookfield Cottage, West Teignmouth, on Sunday morning, the 24th of September, 1826. By permission of the Provincial (F. Charles Brooke) his earnest wish was granted to be admitted into the Society, and on the Friday previous to his decease, the Reverend James Laurenson performed the Ceremony. A sarcophagus tomb on the North side of West Teignmouth Churchyard, near the Entrance gate, encloses his remains, and there I copied the following Inscription :
Sacred To the Memory of the Honourable Edmund Preston (Sixth son of the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Gormanston, of Gormanston Castle, County of Meath, Ireland) Who died at Teignmouth, the 24th of Sept. 1826, In the nineteenth year of his age.

◆ Henry Foley - Records of the English province of The Society of Jesus Vol VII
PRESTON, EDMUND, Honble., Scholastic, sixth son of Lord Viscount Gormanston, of Gormanston Castle, Ireland, was born February 14, 1808, and studied his humanities at Stony. hurst College. Being attacked by rapid consumption, he died at Brookfield Cottage, West Teignmouth, on Sunday morning,

Born: 01 January 1811 Ireland
Entered: 24 January 1838, St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Died: 08 October 1838, St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

1838-1839: St Stanislaus College, Howdershell Road, Florissant MO, USA (MIS), Novitiate

◆ https://jesuitarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/chap18.pdf

Jesuits of the Middle United States

Florence Riordan, first scholastic-novice deceased in the Missouri Mission, died
October 8, 1838 Born in Ireland, January 1, 1811 , entered St Stanislaus Seminary, Florissant, January 24, 1838 The printed register of the mission has the
erroneous entry June 24, 1838

Born: 14 July 1611, Cork City, County Cork
Entered: 30 September 1641, St Andrea, Rome, Italy - Romanae Province (ROM)
Ordained: 30 June 1641, Rome, Italy - pre Entry
Died: 07 December 1642, Naples, Italy - Romanae Province (ROM)

Alias Percy

◆ Fr Edmund Hogan SJ “Catalogica Chronologica” :
Slingsby alias Percy
Son of Sir Francis Slingsby (cf Dominic Collins : Captain Slingsby) and Elizabeth née Cuffe (daughter of Hugh Cuffe, of Cuffe Hall, Somerset). Sir Francis’ mother was Lady Mary Percy, the only sister of Thomas and Henry Percy, the seventh and eighth Earls of Northumberland. Thomas led the “Rising of the North” and was executed for treason, and later beatified. Henry, though a Protestant member of the Percy family, also died in the Catholic cause, c 1532. Francis’ father settled in Ireland, and his son, Francis, was born in Cork 1611.
He studied at Oxford and was one of the best mathematicians of his day.
Visiting Rome, he was converted to the Catholic faith at the English College, and entered that College 06/02/1639 as a boarder, to repeat some studies and make Theology. He was Ordained Priest there 30 June 1641. He then entered the Society at St Andrea, Rome three months later 30/09/1641, leaving the English College an example of many virtues.
He was sent then to the Noviciate at Naples for a change of air at the end of his first year noviceship, and he died there soon after, still a novice.
After his conversion, he had returned to Ireland, was arrested and imprisoned at Dublin Castle, and there held the remarkable conference with the Protestant Bishop Ussher, recounted in “Records SJ” Vol V, pp 301 seq (cf also Vol VI, p 348 and Pedigree)
“Esteemed a Saint”; Converted his family; His life is written by Maurice Ward SJ

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ :
Son of Sir Francis and Elizabeth née Cuffe (both English) Brought up and educated in the Protestant faith of his parents.
He studied Humanities in Ireland and later was sent to Oxford University, where he studied Philosophy and Mathematics, showing a special aptitude for the latter.
During a visit to Europe, 1633, he was received into the Church and on his return to Ireland was imprisoned in Dublin for four months but finally released. It was at the insistence of Queen Maria Henrietta, consort of Charles 1, that young Slingsby recovered his liberty, thanks to the efforts behind the scene of Cardinal Barberini and the General of the Society. During his imprisonment, Francis was visited by Protestant Archbishop James Ussher, whose attempts to shake the constancy of the young convert proved unavailing. He was visited also by Robert Nugent, Superior of the Mission, who fervently hoped he would enter the Society.
On his release, Francis expressed his desire to become a priest but gave no indication that he wanted to become a Jesuit. He went to live, however, at the Dublin Residence of the Jesuits, where, with a few other young men, he studied Philosophy under Fr. Henry MacCavell.
Meanwhile, his mother, younger brother and sister followed him into the Catholic Church. As he had now decided to continue his ecclesiastical studies abroad, he made all the necessary legal arrangements for the renunciation of his inheritance in favour of his younger brother.
He entered the English College Rome in February 1639 and was Ordained there 30 June 1641.
The following 30 September 1641 he Entered St Andrea, Rome. At the end of his first year, due to ill health he was sent to Naples to complete his Noviceship, but he died soon after arrival 07 December 1642

◆ James B Stephenson SJ Menologies 1973
Father Francis Slingsby 1611-1642
Francis Slingsby was the son of Sir Francis Slingsby, and his wife Elizabeth Cuffe, of Cuffe Hall, Somerset England. His father settled in Ireland and Francis was born in Cork about 1611.

He studied at Oxford and was reputed one of the best mathematicians of his day. While visiting Rome Francis converted and entered the English College there. After his conversion, he returned to Ireland and held a remarkable conference with Bishop Ussher on religious issues. He was ordained in Rome and entered the Society in 1641,

Not being robust in health, he was sent to Naples for a change of air and to make his noviceship. He died soon after at the early age of 31.

◆ George Oliver Towards Illustrating the Biography of the Scotch, English and Irish Members SJ
SLINGSBY, FRANCIS, converted at Rome in September, 1633, became a Convictor of the English College at Rome on the 1st of February, 1639 : entered the Novitiate of St. Andrew on the 30th of September, 1641. Died at Naples.

Born: 1570, County Meath
Entered: 25 November 1595, St Andrea, Rome, Italy - Romanae Province (ROM)
Died: 04 March 1597, Professed House, Rome, Italy, Romanae Province (ROM)

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ :
Had made Priestly studies in Belgium before Entry 25 November 1595 Rome. He died while still a Novice at Rome 04 March 1597.

Born: c 1784, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 09 October 1821, Hodder, Stonyhurst College SJ, Lancashire, England (ANG)
Died: 09 September 1823, St Stanislaus College SJ, Tullabeg, County Offaly

1821-1822: Hodder, Stonyhurst College SJ, Lancashire, England (ANG), Novitiate
1822-1823: St Stanislaus Colllege SJ, Tullabeg, County Offaly, Novitiate and working

Fr Edmund Hogan SJ “Catalogica Chronologica” :
Temporal Coadjutor (Irish)

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
He was a baker by trade. After his parents had died he went to live with his older brother.
He joined a Third Order community of Carmelites near Dublin, and he spent six or seven years with them.
When the Carmelite congregation was broken up for some reason, he applied to the Society.

He commenced the experiments of the novitiate under Robert St Leger. He was known to be remarkable for his meekness and piety as well as a great spirit of labour. Two years after entry, while the community were preparing for their annual Retreat, he became very unwell. He though his ailment was of no consequence, and so rose to do his daily work. He suffered a relapse, and while two fellow Brothers were at his bedside he declared able to get up, and then suddenly he lost consciousness. he died the following day.

Fr St Leger writes “Diem clausit Supremum hodie Frater Johannes McMahon. Coadj. temp. Novotius relicto post se bonum nominis et integrae vitae exemplo. Sepultus est in Cormiterio Publico Rahanensi die illa, Vespere. RIP”

The site of his grave is not marked by any monument, it is quite near the door of the old church, close to the wall.

◆ George Oliver Towards Illustrating the Biography of the Scotch, English and Irish Members SJ
MAC MAHON, JOHN, this pious lay-brother died at Tullabeg, on the 9th of September,1822.

◆ Henry Foley - Records of the English province of The Society of Jesus Vol VII
M'MAHON, JOHN, Temporal Coadjutor (Irish), entered the Society at Hodder, Stonyhurst, September 7, 1821, and died the following year, September 9, at Tullabeg College. (Oliver, as above.)

Born: 24 November 1875, Charleville, County Cork
Entered: 07 September 1892, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly - for the Neo-Aurelianensis Province (HIB for NOR)
Died: 19 April 1893, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly- Neo-Aurelianensis Province (NOR)

Younger brother of Jerome O’Mahony - RIP 1930

Early education at Clongowes Wood College SJ

1892-1893: St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly (HIB for NOR), Novitiate

◆ Fr Francis Finegan : Admissions 1859-1948 - Died of Cellulitis and took Vows on his death bed

Born: 24 April 1877, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 23 May 1896, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly
Died: 23 January 1897, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly

1896-1897: St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly, Novitiate

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
He lost his father at a very young age and his mother remarried, a man named Judge. He was then known as William Judge, until such time as he Entered the Society when he resumed his original name of Joe Stephens.

He had been befriended by Michael Waters who got him a place in Belvedere and he completed his studies there. In the same class as him were two Scholastic Novices who were Novices at the same time as he was a Brother Novice.

From Belvedere he went to the Apostolic School at Mungret, but his ever delicate health forced him to leave Mungret. Some months later, in the autumn of 1895 he went to Tullabeg as a Postulant, and Entered formally there 23 May 1896.

Seven months after his admission he died at Tullabeg 23 January 1897, after a very short illness of two weeks.

In spite of his very small size, weak frame and health he gave great edification to all as a Postulant and Novice. He was a model to all for his attitude of obligingness, willingness, unsparing hard work, and he was universally liked and respected by all. He was constantly fearful that ill health would cause him to be dismissed, and he wished to die in the Novitiate rather than have to leave.

He is buried in the graveyard at Tullabeg at the feet of Br Patrick Cooney.

Born: 1620, Waterford City, County Waterford
Entered: 1639, Villagarcía, Galicia, Spain - Castellanae Province (CAST)
Died: 21 June 1640, Villagarcía, Galicia, Spain - Castellanae Province (CAST)

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ :
Died at the Villagarcía Novitiate as a Novice

Born: 1594, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 01 November 1610, Villagarcía, Galicia, Spain - Castellanae Province (CAST)
Died: 02 October 1611, Villagarcía, Galicia, Spain - Castellanae Province (CAST)

Nephew of William Bathe - RIP 1614

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ :
Son of John and Gineta née Dillon and nephew of William Bath
He entered the Irish College, Salamanca, where he took the student oath, 8 November, 1609. A short time after he applied to the Provincial of Castile to be admitted to the Society but was rejected because of his youth.
The General on 22 June, 1610 ordered that Thomas should be received into the Novitiate at Villagarcía. His early death occurred there, October, 1611 as a Novice.

Born: June 01 January 1802, Ireland
Entered: 28 November 1833, Novitiate, East 2nd Street, Frederick MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)
Died: 18 July 1835, Novitiate, East 2nd Street, Frederick MD, USA - Marylandiae Province (MAR)

1833-1835: Novitiate, East 2nd Street, Frederick MD (MARNEB), Novitiate

Born: County Waterford
Entered: 1648, Waterford
Died: 23 August 1650, Waterford - described as a Martyr of Charity

Alias Brehon

Name given as a Novice in Waterford 1649

◆ Fr Edmund Hogan SJ “Catalogica Chronologica” :
Ent 1646 as Brother; Died 09 August 1650 of the plague in Waterford as a Novice.

◆ Fr Francis Finegan SJ :
He died in Waterford, a victim of the plague, 31 August, 1650.

◆ James B Stephenson SJ Menologies 1973

Brother Jasper Breen ????-1650
We know very little of Br Jasper Breen, except that he was a Brother Novice at Waterford in 1648, and that he died there of the plague on August 28th 1650.

He is mentioned in the Menologies to emphasise the fact that even in difficult and Penal times, the Irish Province strove to have its own noviceship, and never lacked Novices, both scholastics and brothers.

◆ George Oliver Towards Illustrating the Biography of the Scotch, English and Irish Members SJ
BRIAN, JASPER, was a Novice at Waterford in 1618, “bonae voluntatis”, He died at Waterford of the plague, on the 23rd of August, 1650.

Being selfless in the care of others is a quality to which Jesuits and all Christians aspire. Though he lived only a short life, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga gave his time in the service of God and of those in need.

Aloysius Gonzaga was born in 1568 to a prominent noble Italian family, the eldest of seven children. As the firstborn son, he would inherit the title of Marquis (of high social rank) from his father, and so from an early age his father set about instructing him in the ways of the court, as well as in military training. At five he was sent to a military camp and at eight he served with his younger brother at the court of Grand Duke Francesco I de’ Medici in Florence. Here Gonzaga grew ill, contracting a kidney disease which would remain to trouble him over the course of his life. While convalescing, he read religious books and spent much time in prayer. This spiritual side of Gonzaga began to develop further, at the age of nine he swore a private vow of chastity and at twelve he received first Holy Communion. Shortly after he decided he wanted to become a Jesuit.

Gonzaga’s father, expecting his son to take on the title of Marquis after him, was appalled at the idea. At first he tried convincing his son to give up the idea of entering ecclesiastical service, and when this failed, tried to instead persuade him to become a secular priest, with the notion of assisting his ascension up the hierarchy. Gonzaga refused, and in 1585 travelled to Rome where he entered the noviciate of the Society of Jesus, giving up all rights of inheritance. Two years later he took the three religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and began studying theology in preparation for ordination.

In 1591 a plague broke out in Rome, and Gonzaga volunteered at a Jesuit hospital. Here he cared for the sick and dying, taking them in off the streets and nursing them. After being forbade to continue working at the hospital for fear that he would contract the disease, Gonzaga refused and requested permission to go on working. His superiors relented, but only allowed him help at a different hospital, which only accepted noncontagious cases. Here however Gonzaga fell ill, and remained so for several months before dying at the age of twenty three. Beatified in 1605 and canonised in 1726, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga is the patron saint of young students and of all Christian youth.