Masses for the beatification of Fr John Sullivan SJ
The date for the beatification ceremony of Blessed John Sullivan elect has been confirmed for Saturday 13th May in Gardiner St Church at 11am (see below). There will also be a Mass of Thanksgiving in Clongowes the following week on Saturday 20th May at 19.00 (not 20th April – as announced in the recent Clongowes Life email bulletin). The principal celebrant and homilist will be Bishop Denis Nulty, Kildare and Leighlin. Further details will be posted on the Clongowes Website as they become available.
This is the first ever beatification ceremony to take place in Ireland. Toni Witwer SJ, the General Postulator for the Jesuits who is overseeing the beatification of Fr John Sullivan SJ, came to Dublin recently to assist with the governance matters attendant on the event and to work on issues arising from the ultimate canonisation of Fr John.
In a recent interview with Ms Pat Coyle, Director of Jesuit Communications Ireland (click here), Fr Toni speaks about John Sullivan’s humility and the need for another miracle if he is to become a saint. Regarding John Sullivan, the Austrian Jesuit says, “The miracles are coming from ordinary believers. For canonisation, we need another miracle after the beatification, meaning that John Sullivan would be considered as a saint in heaven and for the whole Church”.
Beatification of Fr. John Sullivan SJ on 13th May.
The beatification ceremony in St Francis Xavier Church will be a ‘ticketed’ event and invitations have been sent to those who attend the Annual Mass for Fr John as well as to Jesuits and dignitaries.
As it will not be possible to accommodate all who wish to attend in the church there will be a marquee in the grounds and the O’Reilly Theatre in Belvedere will also be used. The Mass and ceremony will be live streamed to both of these locations. Seating in these areas will be on a first come basis. Parking is available in Clonliffe College, which is about a 10 minute walk from SFX, shuttle buses will also be available.
For more on Fr John Sullivan click here and to read about his close connection with Clongowes click here.
