To open the celebrations at the announcement of Fr John Sullivan SJ being made venerable, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will celebrate a Mass in thanksgiving for his life and in prayer for his canonisation in St Francis Xavier Church, Gardiner Street, Dublin on Saturday, February 21 at 11am. There will be a blessing with the crucifix of Fr Sullivan after Mass and Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson will be in attendance at the liturgy.
Fr Sullivan was declared venerable by Pope Francis last November. He was brought up in the Protestant tradition of his father before he was received into the Catholic Church and later entered the Jesuits. Most of his priestly life was spent in Clongowes Wood College in Co. Kildare, and Bishop Denis Nulty will celebrate Mass there on Sunday, May 10 at 3pm as part of the celebrations.
Fr Sullivan has been associated with a number of cures, including the nephew of 1916 leader Michael Collins.
Fr Conor Harper SJ, vice-postulator of his cause, said the order is “very hopeful” that Fr Sullivan will be moved to the next stage and be beatified.
For more information see www.frjohnsullivan.ie