Photograph of Irish Jesuits John Coyne, Daniel Meagher and Joseph McCarthy.

Historiae Domus for houses forming part of the Chikuni Mission, divided into sections relating to personnel, apostolic and spiritual life and events of import.

Letters from the Consultors of the Chikuni Mission including Frs John Counihan, Arthur Clarke and Bernard Collins.

General Annual Histories of the Chikuni Mission with sections on Religious and Intellectual Life, Ministry and Health.

Correspondence between the Archbishop of Lusaka, Fr Adam Kozlowiecki SJ, Fr John Kerr SJ , 87 Eglinton Road, Dublin 4 and Irish Fr Provincial Cecil McGarry SJ, relating to the illness and medical expenses of Fr Patrick Walsh SJ, Secretary to the Archbishop.

Letter to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ from Irish Provincial John Fahy SJ, concerning Fr Gwynn’s ‘future work’. While Fr Gwynn is keen to go to the missions in China, Fr Fahy is anxious that he should stay in Ireland and work at U.C.D. and University Hall – ‘I write…that you may know how I sympathise with missionary work. A decision will not be made for some time about your future. Meanwhile I think that I should say frankly that, in my opinion, our CCs would for many reasons be opposed to your leaving Ireland – wishing to have you for U.C.D., Dr Coffey is, I understand making arrangements to have a chair in Ancient History founded for you.’

Letter from Irish Fr Provincial John Fahy SJ to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning the newly founded ‘lectureship in Ancient History in U.C.D.’. ‘I feel that you will be very much disappointed when I ask you… to present yourself as a candidate; for I know that you wish to go to China. Do try to forgive me when I ask you to do something that pleases you less.’

Booklet 'Korte Levensschets van Pater William Doyle, S.J. 1873-1917' by Fr J. Van Rijckevorsel SJ.

Copybook containing notes on a Retreat given by Fr John Conmee SJ in Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare. Notes made by Fr John A. Byrne SJ.

Handwritten texts of sermons given by Fr John Conmee SJ and notes relating to the Tridium and Retreats.

Booklet commemorating 100 years of the Society of Jesus in Australia entitled 'A Century of Jesuit Achievement 1865-1965.'

Report on the mission in Australia written by the Superior of the Mission Fr Jeremiah Sullivan SJ.

Published letter from Fr Michael Watson SJ, St Patrick's College, Melbourne, Australia to the novices of the Irish Province concerning missions given by the fathers in Australia in various parts of the country.

Correspondence between Fr Leonard Sheil SJ and Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ concerning the relationship between the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Legion of Mary.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial, mostly from Fr Leonard Sheil SJ, relating to his Mission work throughout Ireland. Includes:

• letters concerning a Retreat given by Fr Sheil in Killorglin, County Kerry, a lecture in Cashel, County Tipperary and Missions in Cobh, County Cork and Harrington Street, Dublin (24 November 1943 - 7 August 1945, 6 items);
• letter from Fr Sheil offering to ‘go to any country where…I would be of use in the service of God, Africa, Australia, China or the Continent.’ Also seeks permission to become the Spiritual Director of the International Catholic Girls’ Protection Society (see also J16/5). ‘Their work (they are some thirty years in existence in Dublin) was chiefly the meeting and protecting of girls travelling, especially to England. Now it includes a registry office of which the object is to find work for girls in Ireland and so obviate the necessity of going to England.…They hope to start a small training hostel for domestics. The Archbishop is very favourable.…I have given their radio broadcast for the past five years, bringing in £100 more or less each year. The work of the Spiritual Director would be to attend the monthly meeting of the Committee…and on these occasions to give what assistance he can as a priest.…In favour of it,…it offers a field of work for youth; and…perhaps no class of youth needs help more than the young country girl, perhaps from a convent orphanage, who comes to Dublin to domestic service…’ (21 Feb. 1946, 3pp);
• letter from Socius Fr John Coyne SJ to the Irish Provincial relating to a report in the 'Irish Press' of a lecture on ‘Friends of Soviet Russia’ given by Fr Sheil to the Ringsend C.Y.M.S. in which Fr Sheil referred to Dáil Éireann members as ‘frightful loafers’. Encloses clipping of report (2 Dec. 1946, 1p.) and letter from Fr Sheil to Fr Coyne explaining the circumstances of the lecture (n.d., 2pp);
• letter from Fr Sheil reporting on a number of young men who wish to join the Society and his activities on a recent visit to the North of Ireland (2 Apr. 1947, 4pp) and
• letter to the Irish Provincial Fr Thomas Byrne SJ from Dr Edward Doorly, Bishop of Elphin stating ‘Father Sheil did not give any offence worth mentioning and further…he gave a splendid Retreat to the priests’ (18 May 1949, 1p.).

Typed memorandum for Irish Fr Provincial listing the number of Irish missions given by Fr Leonard Sheil SJ from 1933 to 1947; his work in Britain which began in 1948, ‘Since then Fr Sheil has given five missions most years and never less than three – during the autumn period in Britain’; and listing his work from 1933 to 1947 in Ireland in the autumn as ‘mostly with the convent school-girls, and occasional retreats in convents and in Jesuit churches.’

Letters and report to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Leonard Sheil SJ concerning missions in Spain, comparisons with missions in Britain and Ireland and the possibility of Fr Sheil’s working in South America. Includes:
– letter from Fr Sheil to the Irish Fr Provincial seeking permission to go to Spain to study Spanish missions in order to adapt certain practices for use in Britain (7 September. 1961, 4pp);
– copy of a ‘Report on Missions in Spain’ following a visit by Frs Shiggins and Sheil who attended five missions around the country (n.d., 4pp);
– letter from Fr Sheil to the Irish Fr Provincial in which he discusses certain Spanish customs which could be used on Missions in Britain. Remarks that he will send the Provincial a report ‘on the meetings I now hold with Protestant clergymen after missions in Ireland’ and that he has sent in ‘full reports on our missions in Britain’ ‘almost every year for ten years’. Also mentions a new member of the mission staff, Fr Kevin Laheen SJ – ‘You will be glad to know that Fr Laheen on this his first mission did very well. He preaches well and his musical voice was a help to O'Beirne and I. I need not tell you that O'Beirne preaches very well, and is a wonderful companion on a mission. He sleeps badly’ (Fr Gerry O'Beirne) (23 March 1963, 3pp) and
– letters seeking permission to go to Spain (and Italy) as a supply priest (25 May 19?? – 30 November 1965, 4 items).

Correspondence mainly between Irish Fr Provincial, Fr Leonard Sheil SJ and the English Provincial, relating to Fr Sheil’s Mission work in England. Includes:
– incomplete letter from Fr Sheil to the Provincial referring to a Mission he and Fr Robert L. Stevenson SJ are to give in Peterborough, ‘We will run one mission in a hostel, and another in the church at the same time. There are 180 Irish in the hostel; and there are believed to be about 400 in lodgings around the town. We may, or may not, be able to get at them.’ Also describes his recent travels on the Continent (third page of letter is missing) (12 Sep. 19--, 2pp);
– letter from Fr Sheil to the Provincial describing a ‘country mission in Northampton’ where he “was told to take a different village every day, say Mass in some Catholic house, visit every house – Catholic or no, and ‘hold a service’ on the village green in the evening” (2 September 19–, 7pp);
– covering letter and note (January 1953, 2pp) from Fr Sheil to the Provincial enclosing a memorandum entitled ‘Relations between Irish and English Jesuit Missioners’ (n.d., 3pp);
– covering letter from Fr Sheil (13 April 1953, 1p.) to the Provincial, enclosing a letter he received from the Archbishop of Cius and English Apostolic Delegate following Fr Sheil’s report to him of 1952 Mission work. The Archbishop writes ‘I have read with deepest interest the reports sent to me by the Reverend Father L. Sheil, S.J. and I have informed the Holy See of all the splendid work that has been accomplished. For this most necessary apostolate, certainly the Delegate of the Holy Father must send a cordial blessing in the name of His Holiness and he is confident that, with God’s help, more and more will be achieved for those who stand so much in need of the ministry of their own priests’ (9 April 1953, 1p.);
– copy letter from the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne to the English Fr Provincial Desmond Boyle SJ, regarding Fr Boyle’s ‘wishes concerning the activities of the Irish Mission staff in England’. States ‘I have…instructed Father Leonard Sheil to confine his activities in future to Camp Missions during the autumn months, and, once he has fulfilled his programme in London this autumn, to approach no parish priest about a parish Mission nor to accept any parish Mission without a specific request from Father Farrell.…I think he (Fr Sheil) has done good work for the Irish in England, some of which, such as the Confraternity in Birmingham, may be of permanent worth. But whatever good he has achieved is due in no small measure to the co-operation of the English Province and the support he received from the English parish clergy’ (22 Apr. 1953, 1p.);
– Fr Boyle’s reply thanking Fr Byrne for his co-operation and stating ‘I only hope that we of this Province have not seemed too difficult or dog-in-the-manger-ish. The position was getting rather confused and it seemed desirable to regularize it. Your mission Fathers have done wonderful work in England, and I am quite sure that Fr Sheil will be approached either directly or through Fr Farrell for further missions’ (29 Apr. 1953, 1p.);
– letter to Fr Sheil from Dr James Staunton, Bishop of Ferns in which he remarks ‘I was glad to know that you are going to St. Wilfrid’s York, and I hope your Fathers and yourself will be invited to give many missions in the secondary modern schools, and pioneer in this sphere’ (20 Aug. 1958, 2pp);
– letter to the Provincial from Fr Sheil describing the work of two Irish chaplains in London – Fr Cullen in Warwick Street and the chaplain in Bayswater (Sep. 1967, 2pp).
Also includes list drawn up by Fr Sheil of Jesuits who ‘should give a very good priests’ retreat’ (n.d., 2pp).

Photograph of Fr Leonard Sheil SJ, on a ladder while talking to a chippy (carpenter), on scaffolding. Taken for the 'Birmingham Post & Mail'.

Handwritten register of the Apostleship of Prayer and of the Crusaders of the Blessed Sacrament, St Ignatius College, Galway. Details list of classes, Spiritual Directors, President, Secretary, Treasurer, Promoter and members. Includes loose inserts of notes on; the Apostleship of Prayer; souvenir of reception for the Crusaders of the Blessed Sacrament; certificate of membership of the Apostleship of Prayer; list of members of the Apostleship of Prayer Cumann Brigid 1946.

Bound handwritten register of the female and male members of the Apostleship of Prayer and Confraternity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Includes lists of promoters; inserts of a Certificate of Enrolment to the Apostleship of Prayer of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1877); list of books in library used for different subjects: Latin, Greek, Theology, Physics, German, Jesuitica, Mathematics. English Literature, Periodicals and Religion (1633-1918).

With signatures and practice handwriting by Daniel Leap[e], Bolart, Clara, King's County, 9 October 1912 and James Dolan, Roscommon.

Register for Apostleship of Prayer, St Ignatius Church, Galway giving names, address and date.

Register for the Holy League of the Sacred Heart, Daily Mass, at St Ignatius Church, Galway giving name and address.

Volume of candidates (male) proposed and received into the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary and various guilds. Handwritten entries divided by name, occupation, date when admitted, residence, guild and remarks.

Copy book attendance registers, with Fr Peader O'Higgins SJ as master. Includes aspirant names for the Sacred Heart Guild, Blessed Virgin Mary Guild, Mary Immaculate Guild, Realt na Maidne Guild, Mother of Good Counsel Guild, Mother of Christ Guild, Our Lady of the Rosary Guild, Our Lady of the Wayside Guild, Star of the Sea Guild, Our Lady of Lourdes Guild, Mother of Mercy Guild, St Aloysius Guild, Our Lady of the Perpetual Succour Guild, Holy Name of Jesus Guild, St Francis Xavier Guild, St Ignatius Guild, St John Guild, Seat of Wisdom Guild, St Nicholas Guild, St Patrick Guild, Queen of Heaven Guild, Good Shepherd Guild, St Brigid Guild.

Medals for:
Prefect of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Ignatius, Galway;
Congregation of the Holy Angels;
Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Ignatius, Galway for R. Fr[ancis] Mullery, 2nd July 1871.

Handwritten register of the Boy’s Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Ignatius, Galway. Details that ‘there is no record…of the date or circumstance of its establishment’ however ‘there is in existence a recording of the Sodality during 1887-1888 and subsequent years’. Includes member’s names and signatures and notes from meetings.

Black and white photograph taken in the Sodality Room, St Ignatius, Galway with Fr Edward Masterson SJ and six other pupils seated
around a table. 17th century pictorial map of Galway City in background.

Letters written from Jesuits in Northern Rhodesia to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ.

• Includes a letter from Fr Patrick J Walsh SJ, PO Box 87, Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia referring to the imminent opening of the secondary school in Chikuni. Remarks that without Frs Dowling and Gill they would not have been able to open the school. Remarks that they are still waiting for the rains to come so that the maize crop can be sown (4 January 1949, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr Patrick J Walsh SJ, PO Box 87, Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia describing the difficulties of the mission while it remains under complete control of the Polish Province (30 October 1949, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr Patrick J Walsh SJ, PO Box 87, Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia concerning the possibility of the Irish Province taking over the Lusaka Prefecture. Remarks that he would welcome the development as long as it was entirely independent of the Polish Jesuits (5 December 1949, 4pp).

Notebooks with handwritten entries related the minutes of committee meetings of Our Lady’s Girls’ Club. The insertions details expenses for 1951. Includes two black and white photographs of girls’ club members at an outing at the beach.

Minutes of Committee meetings of Cumann Teresa, part of Our Lady’s Girls’ Club, for girls of 14-18 years of age who have left school. Givens names of President, Secretary and Treasurer. Insertions detail attendance: removals, full, partial and low. Minutes cover topic such as annual reports, rules, appointments, finance, duties, attendance and punctuality for example.

Letters to the Irish Fr Provincial from Fr Leonard Sheil SJ, various Jesuits and others relating to Fr Sheil’s work in the Jesuit church in Galway. Includes:
– letters from Fr Sheil and the Secretary of the International Catholic Girls’ Protection Society (Veritas House, Lower Abbey Street, Dublin) regarding radio broadcasts for Irish emigrants in England and an appeal for funds for the I.C.G.P.S. (see also J16/6) (7 November 1941 - 6 June 1942, 3 items);
– letters from Fr Hugh Kelly SJ (Rector, Rathfarnham Castle) and Fr Patrick O'Kelly SJ (Director of the Pioneers Association) reporting complaints about Fr Sheil’s behaviour with regard to the content of his lectures to secondary school girls, his running of the Sodalities in Galway and his comments to a young girl who came to him for religious instruction (17 November - 20 December 1942, 4 items);
– letters from Fr Sheil, Fr Hugh Kelly SJ and the Superior of the Presentation Convent, Dundrum, County Tipperary requesting permission for Fr Sheil to give various lectures and retreats and to act as Special Confessor to the nuns of Dundrum Presentation Convent (26 January - 24 May 1943, 3 items) and
– letter from Fr Sheil enclosing a list of his sodality work in Galway, to help his successor, ‘I have tried all these two years to get these works into such order that anyone could carry them on, but I have not had the time. Many details of organization have still to be put into practice. The walls are built but the roof is not yet on. However there is plenty of brains and holiness among the men and women engaged in the work. If I could have any wish where obedience is concerned, I would wish to stay with them’ (8 August 1943, 3pp).

Letters to Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ concerning Fr Arthur Cox, who died in Zambia on 11 June 1965 following a car crash. Includes: letter from Fr Cox to Fr Gwynn describing how Fr Cox is settling in to his new life in Monze and learning new languages (21 December 1964, 2pp);
– letter from Bishop James Corboy SJ with reference to Fr Cox (23 February 1965, 1p) (see also J10/18);
– letter from Fr Frank O'Neill SJ describing the circumstances of Fr Cox’s death (16 June 1965, 3pp);
– letter from Bishop Corboy following the first anniversary of Fr Cox’s death (17 June 1966, 1p.). Includes ordination and memorial card of Fr Cox.

Aubrey Gwynn and Arthur Cox at UCD together.

Letter from Fr Ladislaus Zabdyr SJ, Chikuni, PO Chisekesi, Northern Rhodesia to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin concerning the news that the Irish Province is to send Irish Jesuits to Northern Rhodesia. Explains the situation in the mission. Remarks 'Any man that can be spared and is willing to come will be welcome because at any time one can expect that some one of those still at work here may break down…'.

Letter from Fr Ladislaus Zabdyr SJ, Chikuni, PO Chisekesi, Northern Rhodesia to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin imploring him to respond to his request for Irish Jesuits to be sent to the mission (1p). With airgraph copy.

Letter from Fr Ladislaus Zabdyr SJ, Chikuni, PO Chisekesi, Northern Rhodesia to Irish Fr Provincial John R MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin thanking him for sending two Irish Jesuits to the mission. Asks if more men can be spared for work in the mission. Includes a copy of a reply remarking that more men cannot be spared.

Letter from Fr Patrick J Connolly SJ, 35 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin urging him to consider taking over the Jesuit Mission of Northern Rhodesia from the Polish Province. Remarks 'The mission is a going concern: to take it over would cost nothing save in man-power. It has its residences, chapels, schools, landed property (some thousands of acres waiting to be exploited)'.

A file of letters written during the year 1950 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia. Includes numerous letters relating to the announcement that eight Irish Jesuits are to be sent to the Chikuni Mission and the need for these men to learn the language (Chitonga). Many letters express concern over the lack of preparations being made for their arrival and a reluctance to comply with Fr General's instructions that all eight men are to be housed together for one year to obtain a firm grasp of the language.

• Includes a letter from the Apostolic Delegation, PO Box 468, Mombasa to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ concerning the division of the mission between the Irish and Polish Jesuits. Advises Fr Byrne to send a suitable Jesuit to Northern Rhodesia to take on the role of Vicar Apostolic of Lusaka when the division takes place (12 June 1950, 1p).
• Includes a memorandum by Fr John Collins SJ concerning Bantu courses in London University (nd, 2pp).
• Includes a photograph published in the Irish Independent of the nine Irish Jesuits (eight priests and one brother) before their departure for Chikuni, Northern Rhodesia (19 July 1950, 1p).
• Includes a letter from Fr Brian MacMahon SJ to Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ announcing their safe arrival in Lusaka (7 August 1950, 2pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr Patrick J Walsh SJ describing a trip he and Fr Louis Meagher SJ made in the Zambesi Valley (22 September 1950, 2pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr Brian McMahon SJ, Chikuni Mission PO Chisekesi, Northern Rhodesia to Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ describing the school system here and the training colleges for African teachers (2 October 1950, 7pp).

Booklet entitled 'Irish Jesuits Among the Mild Batonga' by Rev Joseph McSweeney SJ published by the Irish Messenger Office.

Photograph of the mission community, Zambia. Names on rear, given by Fr John Fitzgerald SJ (25/06/2010).
Seated L - R: Colm O'Riordan, Louis Meagher, Sean McCarron, Thomas Byrne, Jim Corboy, Des O'Loghlen, ?, John Fitzgerald.
1st row: L - R. Barney Collins (?), Eddie O'Connor, Tom McGivern, Joe McDonald, Teddy O'Brien (?), Joe Conway, Bob Kelly, Tommie O'Meara, Danny Byrne, Charlie O'Connor and Shaun Curran.
Back row: L - R. Sean O'Connor, ?,?, Des O'Connell, Fred Moriarty, Pat McDuff, Brother Joseph Duda, Jim Carroll, Br. McKinney, ?, Br. Charlie O'Connor, Paul Brassil, Jim Dunne, Paul Cullen, ?, Paddy Sherry.

Letter from the Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ, Milltown Park, Dublin to [ ] concerning two fathers setting out from Ireland to establish the Australian Mission (Fr William Kelly SJ and Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ). Refers to Fr Therry's brother in Cork who has agreed to co-operate in anyway so that the Jesuit fathers may secure their bequest.

Copy letter from the Superior of the Australian Mission Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ to Father General Peter Beckx SJ concerning the Australian Mission.

Copy of a letter from Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ, Milltown Park, Dublin to the Bishop of Melbourne, James Alipius Goold, concerning the arrival of Frs Lentaigne and Kelly in Australia in order '...to take preliminary steps for the establishment of our Society in Melbourne.'

Copy letter from the Superior of the Australian Mission Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ, St Patrick's College, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to Father General Peter Beckx SJ, Rome, Italy concerning the Australian Mission and his visit to Australia.

Copy letters from Fr General Peter Beckx SJ to the Superior of the Australian Mission Fr Joseph Dalton SJ.

Letter from the Superior of the Australian Mission, Fr Joseph Dalton SJ, Villa Maria, Hunters Hill, Sydney to Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ concerning the Australian Mission. Refers to a number of topics he wishes to be passed on to Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ when Fr Lentaigne returns to Ireland.

Letter from the Superior of the Australian Mission, Fr Joseph Dalton SJ, St Patrick's, Melbourne to Fr John Ffrench SJ regarding the Australian Mission and worries expressed by Father General concerning the observance of spiritual matters and the customs of the Society.

Letter from Fr General Peter Beckx SJ to the Superior of the Australian Mission, Fr Joseph Dalton SJ discussing the Australian Mission.

Notes written by Fr Joseph Dalton SJ on the Sydney Mission.

Book entitled 'The Society of Jesus in Australia.'

The Irish Jesuit Mission to Australia was initiated due to the will of Fr John Joseph Therry (1790-1864), who named the Irish Jesuits as beneficiaries to his property in Australia, and by an invitation to the Irish Province by James Alipius Goold, Bishop of Melbourne (later Archbishop) (1812-1886) to set-up a mission in his diocese. The first two Irish Jesuits, Frs William Lentaigne (1805-1884) and William Kelly (1823-1909), arrived in Melbourne in September 1865. Previously, two Austrian Jesuits, Frs. Kranewitter (1817-1880) and Klinkowstroem (1819-1896) had arrived in 1848 after Jesuit expulsion from Austria. The Austrian Mission centred on South Australia and the Northern Territory. In 1901, the Austrian and Irish missions amalgamated. Australia was made a Vice-Province in 1931 and Fr Austin Kelly SJ (1891-1978) was named the first Provincial of the Australian Province in 1950.

The papers of the Australian Mission provide a comprehensive history of the Irish Jesuit Mission, concentrating on the years 1865-1931. The Irish Jesuits worked as missionaries, educators, writers, chaplains, theologians, scientists, pastors and directors of retreats, mainly in the urban communities of eastern Australia.

Subjects touched upon include: agreements with Archbishops in establishing Jesuit houses in a particular diocese; reflections on the journey to and from Australia; administration of schools, colleges, universities and Jesuit residences - (St Patrick’s, Melbourne; St Francis Xavier College, Kew, Melbourne; St Aloysius, Dunedin (NZ); St Aloysius College, Sydney ; St Ignatius College, Riverview, Sydney; St Louis, Claremont, Western Australia; Newman College, University of Melbourne); parishes - (Norwood and Sevenhills in South Australia; Invercargill (NZ); Melbourne; Sydney; Toowong and Indooroopilly in Queensland); financial documents; expansion of the Mission; and correspondence between Father Provincial in Ireland and Jesuits in Australia. By far the greatest number of letters sent to Father Provincial in Ireland was from Fr John Ryan SJ (1849-1922) (Superior of the Mission from 11 February 1901-14 June 1908; 9 April 1913-24 October 1917). Until the creation of the Australian Mission as a Vice-Province, the Irish Provincial was kept informed of every minor detail about the Mission and often decision making in Australia was delayed until approval from Dublin was given.

Although this collection provides a comprehensive history of the Australian Mission, there are some gaps. For example, the collection does not contain any deeds or other legal documents relating to property obtained by the Society of Jesus in Australia and it is presumed that these documents would have been kept by the Superior of the Mission and later the Vice-Provincial of the Vice-Province in Australia, where they remain today.

Superiors of the Irish Jesuit Mission to Australia (1865-1931)
Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ 1865-1866
Fr Joseph Dalton SJ 1866-1872
Fr Thomas Cahill SJ 1872-1879
Fr Joseph Dalton SJ 1879-2 September 1883
Fr Aloysius Sturzo SJ 2 September 1883-5 April 1890
Fr Patrick Keating SJ 5 April 1890-1 February 1895
Fr Timothy Kenny SJ 1 February 1895-11 February 1901
Fr John Ryan SJ 11 February 1901-14 June 1908
Fr Thomas Brown SJ 14 June 1908-9 April 1913
Fr John Ryan SJ 9 April 1913-24 October 1917
Fr William Lockington SJ 24 October 1917-20 June 1923
Fr Jeremiah Sullivan SJ 20 June 1923-19 March 1931

Vice-Provincials of the Vice-Province of Australian (1931-1950)
Fr John Fahy SJ 19 March 1931-25 August 1939
Fr John Meagher SJ 25 August 1939-1 October 1947
Fr Austin Kelly SJ 1 October 1947-1 November 1950

Copies of a publication entitled 'Our Australian Missions', 31 July 1896 (2 copies) and 1 September 1898

Cuttings from 'The Catholic Press' of an article entitled 'How the Irish Came to Queensland. The Voyage of the "Erin-go-bragh" and a tribute to Fr Aloysius Sturzo SJ'.

A file of letters from Joseph Alipius Goold, Bishop of Melbourne, Bishop's House, Melbourne, Australia to Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ concerning an invitation to the Irish Province to set up a mission in his diocese.

Letter from Fr John McEncroe, Archdiocese, Sydney, Australia to Fr John Callan SJ concerning the introduction of Fathers from the Society of Jesus into the Diocese of Sydney.

Letter from Joseph Alipius Goold, Archbishop of Melbourne, writing from Brussels, Belgium to Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ concerning an urgent request by Fr Joseph Dalton SJ for a community of teaching nuns to go to Australia.

Letter from Joseph Alipius Goold, Archbishop of Melbourne, Archbishop's Residence, St Patrick's, Melbourne to Fr Thomas Cahill SJ (Superior of the Mission) concerning the procurement of a community of religious to take charge of schools for girls.

Letters written from Jesuits in Northern Rhodesia to the Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ.

• Includes a letter from Fr Patrick J O'Brien SJ (one of the two Jesuits sent out to Northern Rhodesia by Irish Fr Provincial) remarking 'The situation here is desperate. There is no other word to describe it. It was already critical when the first appeal was made to the Irish Province. And while Fr Patrick J Walsh SJ and myself were waiting for a boat to come here, 3 fathers died. Since then we have lost a fourth…' (7 January 1948, 2pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr Patrick J O'Brien SJ, PO Box 125, Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia to Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ thanking him for agreeing to send two more Jesuits to the mission (Fr Maurice Dowling SJ & Fr Daniel Shields SJ, although Fr Joseph Gill SJ subsequently went in Fr Shield's place) (7 April 1948, 2pp).

A file of letters written during the year 1957 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia. This mission was set up as a separate mission from Lusaka (Polish) in 1 January 1957.

• Includes a letter from Fr Daniel Meagher SJ, Superior of the Mission, Loyola to Irish Fr Provincial Michael O'Grady SJ concerning a consultation of the mission with Fr Visitor where it was agreed to ask the Christian Brothers to take over the Teacher Training College. Remarks 'Our own Bishop is somewhat disappointed at the decision but has given his full approval to the asking of the Bros to come into his Vicariate for this work,' (7 February 1957, 2pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr Joseph McCarthy SJ, Chiuvna, Box 13, Monze to Irish Fr Provincial concerning the division of the mission. Remarks 'Our immediate need is to expand in the Southern Province…the Irish Province now has the responsibility for all this area…we are (also) informed that to get our own Vicariate we must have more stations…I think we should start this year at Namwala and Choma.' (7 February 1957, 2pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr J. Boyle SJ, British Province SJ, Garret House, 31 Camp Road, Wimbledon, London to Irish Fr Provincial informing him that the British Province is hoping to open a Novitiate in Rhodesia in February 1958 with the Irish Province supplying the Socius (29 December 1957, 1p).

Booklet entitled 'Irish Jesuits in Northern Rhodesia' by Rev Joseph McSweeney SJ published by the Irish Messenger Office.

Maps of Northern Rhodesia depicting Jesuit mission borders.

Order of the day for the mission, divided into summer time and winter time.

Map depicting educational establishments in Northern Rhodesia, Southern Province. Scale 1:500,000.

Memorandum from the Procurator of the Missions. Includes a financial statement of the mission fund.

Memorandum on the ecclesiastical administration of the Chikuni Mission in the Vicariate of Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia.

Statement prepared by Fr Bruno Wolnik SJ, on the number of religious in the Catholic Mission, Northern Rhodesia 'Pro Archivo S.C. de Propangand Fide'.

A file of letters written during the year 1951 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.

• Includes a report on the Lusaka Mission and Fr Visitor's suggestion that the Irish Fathers take over a part of this mission from the Polish Province (nd, 1p).
• Includes a letter from Fr Patrick J Walsh, SJ, Chikuni Mission, PO Chisekesi Siding, Northern Rhodesia to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ, concerning the starting up of new mission stations. Refers to the division of the Vicariate and remarks '…the Polish Fathers are inclined to be resentful of us….I know there is a great effort being made to ensure that…we shall not get Lusaka.' (30 January 1951, 2pp).
• Includes a memorandum concerning the establishment of a Junior Trade School ([February] 1951, 2pp).
• Includes a letter from Rev. A Chichester SJ, Vicariate Apostolic of Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, Campion House, Rhodes Avenue, Salisbury, Southrrn Rhodesia to Irish Fr Provincial enquiring if the Irish Province has plans to open a school for European boys in Northern Rhodesia. A note on the letter remarks 'Nothing doing: will ask Xtian Brothers if he wishes.' (6 October 1951, 2pp).
• Includes a letter from Adam Kozlowiecki SJ (Apostolic Administrator), Vicariate Apostolic of Lusaka, PO Box 125 to Irish Fr Provincial stating the urgent need for a school for Catholic European boys in Northern Rhodesia. Includes a rough plan of a suitable site (16 November 1951, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from David Mathew, Apostolic Delegate, PO Box 468, Mombasa to Irish Fr Provincial referring to the division of the Vicariate between the Irish and Polish Jesuits (24 November 1951, 3pp).

A file of letters written during the year 1952 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.

• Includes a letter from David Matthews, Archbishop of Apamea, Apostolic delegate, Delegatio Apostolica, PO Box 468 Mombasa to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ concerning the proposed boundaries of the Vicariate of Lusaka to be given to the Irish Province. Includes a free hand map of the area (9 January 1952, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr Patrick J. Walsh SJ, PO Box 125, Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia to Irish Fr Provincial informing him that the building of the residence at the regiment Church has begun. Refers to Mau Mau in Kenya and remarks 'It is likely that in the next few years we shall see similar developments in central Africa. There is a great spirit of unrest and dissatisfaction among the Africans here and there is quite a bit of Communist propaganda going on - especially through the African Congress' (29 November 1952, 1p).

A file of letters written during the year 1953 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.

• Includes a letter from David Mathews, Archbishop of Apamea, Apostolic Delegate, PO Box 468, Mombasa to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas Byrne SJ concerning his meeting with Fr General regarding the nomination of the Vicar Apostolic of Lusaka. Remarks that Fr General is anxious that the new Bishop, when named, would open a preparatory school for European boys in Lusaka (20 February 1953, 1p).
• Includes a letter from Fr Patrick J. Walsh SJ, PO Box 125, Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia to Irish Fr Provincial informing him that the residence at the Regiment Church has been completed (6 March 1953, 2pp).
• Includes a statement of the Chikuni Mission statistics for the year ending 30 June 1953 (June 1953, 1p).
• Includes a copy of a letter from the Educational Secretary-General to the Northern Rhodesia Catholic Missions, PO Box 29, Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia to the [Archbishop] concerning the Catholic Teacher Training College proposal (5 September 1953, 3pp).
• Includes a document relating to a survey on leprosy in Northern Rhodesia made in 1950 (10 December 1953, 11pp).

A file of letters written during the year 1958 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.

• Includes a memorandum on the Ecclesiastical Administration of the Chikuni Mission in the Vicariate of Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia by Fr Joseph McCarthy SJ (9 August 1958, 2pp).
• Includes the minutes of a missionary conference held in Lusaka (28 October 1958, 32pp).

A file of letters written during the year 1954 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.

• Includes a letter from Fr Robert Thompson SJ, PO Box 125, Lusaka to Irish Fr Provincial Michael O'Grady SJ concerning an invitation from the Dept. of Social Welfare to Frs. Robert Thompson and Patrick J Walshe to participate in Council meetings in preparation for Territorial Social Welfare meetings (21 January 1954, 2pp).
• Includes a letter from Adam Kozlowiecki SJ, Apostolic Administrator, Vicariate Apostolic of Lusaka, PO Box 125 to Irish Fr Provincial thanking him for agreeing, in principle, to staff the Teacher Training College with members of the Irish Province (4 April 1954, 2pp).
• Includes a copy of a letter from [ ] Kabunda Mission, PO Fort Roseberry to the Right Reverend the Ordinaries of Northern Rhodesia concerning the siting of the proposed territorial Catholic Teacher Training College (6 June 1954, 2pp).
• Includes a letter from the Education Secretary-General to the North Rhodesia Catholic Missions, PO Box 593, Lusaka concerning the reorganisation of Teacher Training (18 June 1954, 4pp).
• Includes a memorandum by Irish Fr Provincial concerning the terms governing the choice of a site for the Teacher Training College (1 October 1954, 5pp).
• Includes Fr Robert Thompson SJ's impressions of participating in the Social Services Conference, Northern Rhodesia (19 October 1954, 2pp).
• Includes a memorandum by Fr Walter O'Connor SJ concerning the leprosy settlement near Chikuni (November 1954, 3pp).

A file of letters written during the year 1956 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.

• Includes a memorandum concerning the Teacher Training College, namely the adaptation and expansion of Chikuni as the Training College and the building of a new secondary school near Lusaka ([ ] 1956, 1p).
• Includes a first draft for presenting the Inter Racial Catholic Institute to the public ([ ], 2pp).
• Includes a letter from the Commissioner of Taxes, PO Box 126, Causway, Southern Rhodesia to Coghlan Welsh and Guest, Solicitors acting on behalf of the Irish Jesuits, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia concerning the change of status of Lusaka from Prefecture Apostolic to Vicariate Apostolic under the care of the Society of Jesus. Discusses the financial implications of this (March 1956, 2pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr M. Schurmans SJ, Visitor, Lusaka to Irish Fr Provincial Michael O'Grady SJ concerning the juridical division of the Lusaka Mission. Remarks 'I think the only alternative left would be that the Irish Province take over the whole mission from the Polish' (19 November 1956, 4pp).

A file of letters written during the year 1955 relating to the Chikuni Mission, Northern Rhodesia.

• Includes a letter from Fr Robert Thompson SJ, PO Box 125, Lusaka to Irish Fr Provincial Michael O'Grady SJ concerning the Teacher Training College. Remarks that the establishment of a new Training College was formally passed in principle and that a decision on the proposed site at Monze-Lubwe will be made shortly (5 January 1955, 2pp).
• Includes a newspaper cutting reporting on the appointment of Fr Adam Kozlowiecki SJ as Bishop-Elect of the Lusaka Vicariate (22 August 1955, 1p).
• Includes a copy of the minutes of a consultation held at Chikuni Mission. The first item relates to the partition of goods between the Vicariate Apostolic of Lusaka and the Society of Jesus (15 & 16 September 1955, 6pp).

Typed manuscript of an outline for a long (30 day) retreat. Includes a drawing of Tullabeg, County Offaly.

Description of a diploma on vellum issued by Fr General Mutio Vitelleschi SJ concerning the setting up of a sodality in Dublin under the name of Our Lady of the Annunciation (27 May 1627).

Copy of a letter from Irish Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ to Fr Charles Mulcahy SJ, Rector, Clongowes Wood College expressing Fr General Wlodimir Ledóchowski's concern over BVM Sodality at Clongowes Wood College SJ, and he references in particular the "Social" obligations, citing examples such as a St Vincent de Paul Society.

A file of devotional cards for different sodalities at Clongowes Wood College SJ:

• Sodality of the Blessed Virgin - 1935-1936; 1936-1937 (2 items);
• Sodality of Our Lady - 1938-1939 (special issue in memory of St Andrew Bobola SJ, canonised 1938) and a regular card (2 items);
• Sodality of Or Lady of The Immaculate Conception - 1933-1934; 1934-1935; 1939-1940;
• Sodality of The Holy Angels (Lower Line) - 1933-1934; 1934-1935; 1935-1936; 1936-1937 (4 items).

A file of letters from the Superior of the Australian Mission Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ, St Patrick's College, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to Fr Daniel Jones SJ (Socius) concerning the Australian Mission and the work being carried out.

‘The Sodality of Our Lady’ by Fr Gregory Ffrench SJ, reprinted from the September issue of 'The Furrow'.

Group of twenty-three boys dressed formally, with medals on lapel. In four rows, taken outdoors by Keogh Bros. Ltd. Names are printed. Some boy appears to be wearing shamrocks [St Patrick's Day]. Senior sodality members, St Ignatius, Galway.

Group of thirteen boys dressed formally, with medals on lapel. In three rows, taken outdoors by Keogh Bros. Ltd. Names are printed.

Commemorative prayer card for the silver jubilee of the sodality of Our Lady of Christians, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

Calendar for the annual retreat for the officers and men of an Garda Síochána, Church of St Francis Xavier, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

Photocopy of newspaper report on an address given by Fr Bernard Vaughan SJ to the Sodality of Our Lady Help of Christian, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

Notice advertising a 3 day retreat for legal, medical and university students in the Ignatian Chapel, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

Photocopy of newspaper report of the Golden Jubilee of the Young Men's Sodality at St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

Photocopy of report from the 'Daily Nation' regarding the end of the annual retreat for the Dublin Metropolitan Police held in St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

Notice and prayer leaflet of the annual retreat for the members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force held in the Church of St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

Copy letter from Fr Superior (Fr Robert Tyndall SJ), St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin to the Sodalists concerning the Annual Sale of Work to raise money for the missions in Canton and Hong Kong.

Calendar of the Young Men's Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Francis Xavier's, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

Register of the Sodalities, Confraternities and Associations of the Church of St Francis Xavier, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin, detailing name, when founded, whom for, time of meetings, dates of retreats and location of meetings.

Two copies of souvenirs for the sodality day at Saint Francis Xavier's Church for 1949 and 1950.

Register of the Sodalities, Confraternities and Associations of the Church of St Francis Xavier, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

Pray leaflet entitled ‘Aspiration and Prayers for a happy death’ for the Arch - Confraternity of the Bona Mors, St Ignatius Church, Galway.

Copy letter from the Sodality of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Ignatius and St Aloysius to sodality members, concerning the centenary of the Mens’ Sodality of Our Lady, St Ignatius Church, Galway and seeking contributions in order to present a special altar to the church.

‘Prayer to Guardian Angel & Certificate of Membership’ card from the Sodality of the “Holy Angels”, St Ignatius College, SJ, Galway.

Photograph of Milltown Park villa to Ballytrent, County Wexford.

"Villa" account for the Clongowes Wood College SJ community at Myrtleville House and No 2, Seaview Cottage, Myrtleville, County Cork. Lists expenses and providers of goods, and list of Jesuits on villa ("Villa" is translated as holiday or vacation).

A file of photographs, of landscapes and a house, of villa (holiday) at Mornington, Victoria.

A file of letters from Fr James Finucane SJ, Clongowes Wood College SJ to Fr Provincial Laurence Kieran SJ concerning "Villa". Following the Clongowes community "Villa" in 1933, Fr Finucane writes some reflections on what he considered a lax approach to life while on vacation, and that some rules should be established more clearly. Attached to the second letter (21 July 1933) he proposes some rules to Irish Fr Provincial.