Courtney McGrailArchbishop Diarmuid Martin was the main celebrant at a Mass in St Francis Xavier’s Church, Gardiner Street in Dublin to celebrate the recognition of Fr John Sullivan SJ (1861-1933) as Venerable Servant of God.
The church was packed to capacity as people of all ages came to celebrate the recent declaration by Pope Francis of the heroic virtues of this remarkable Jesuit.
Archbishop Michael Jackson, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin was also in attendance, and he joined in the celebration along with Jesuit Provincial Fr Tom Layden SJ, Conor Harper SJ Vice-Postulator for the cause of canonisation, and members of the Jesuit community who concelebrated the Mass.
Archbishop Jackson has closely followed the process which led to the declaration of the Venerability of Fr John Sullivan and his attendance at the Mass recalled Fr Sullivan’s early life brought up in the Protestant tradition. Members of the Lloyd family, the priest’s nearest living relatives, also attended the Mass.
There continues to be a monthly Mass in Gardiner Street Church in thanksgiving for the life of Fr Sullivan and in prayer for his canonisation.
The closing Mass marking the declaration of venerability will be in Clongowes Wood College on Sunday, May 2 at which Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare & Leighlin will be the principal celebrant.
For more information about the life of Venerable Fr John Sullivan SJ see www.frjohnsullivan.ie