Obituary Notice
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Fr. CRONAN Doyle (1898-1972) St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin 6, OBITUARY OF FATHER CRONAN DOYLE, f.P, RS NANT RG AOE LE wom ee One by one an older generation of Passionists is passing away and each name added to the Obituary List of the Province means that another link with the past is broken. The latest to end his earthly pilgrimage is Father Cronan Doyle, a well-loved and highly respected member of St. Patrick's Province. His death at the age of seventy-four years on September 17th 1972 was particuarly sad in that it occurred in the Golden Jubilee year of his Ordination to the Priesthood. Had he lived but another three months, he would have celebrated that golden milestone in December 1972 = but it was not to be. Characteristically, when someone expressed the hope that he would live to celebrate his Golden Jubilee, Father Cronan commented: "I may not live to see it - but at least I'll give you a funeral instead" Known as Joseph Doyle, the late Father Cronan came of sturdy farming stock and was born on May 25th 18998 at Barndarrig, Co. Wicklow. But snortly afterwards his family moved to Dublin City, where his earthly life and schcsldays were spent, In the historic year of 1916, when eighteen years of age, Le entered the Passionist Novitiate, and a year later, on July 29th 1917, he made his religious profession at St. Gabriel's Retreat, Enniskillen. His studies for the Priesthood were made at St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, Dublin, where he was Ordained in the Pro-Cathedral on December 23rd, 1922, by the late Archbishop, Most Rev. .Drs Edward Byrne. it is interesting to note that seventeen Passionist students were Ordained on that occasion. A few months after Ordination, Father Cronan was appointed Lentor of Dogmatic Theolecy to a class of Students at St. Paul's Retreat, Ilkley, Yorkshire, and when the Students were transferred to Mount Argus in 1924, he returned to Dublin with them until they had completed their studies. In 1932 he was elected Rector of St. Mary's Retreat, Mussel- burgh, Seotland and three years later became Rector of Mount Argus (1935-1938). it was during this period that the extension of the church and the additicn of a new wing to the monastery were completed. A three year period followed as Master of Novices (1938-1941) and for the next twelve years Father Cronan was a member of the Provincial Curia, becoming in succession Second Consulter, First Consultor, and finally Provincial (1947-1953). In 1946 he attended the historic post-war General Chapter in Rome, and six years later he again participated in the thirty~sixth General Chapter in May 1952,
26 During his term as Provincial, Father Cronan had to grapple with many difficulties incidental to the troubled post-war period. There were material problems arising from the continuation of war-time shortages, rationing of food and suppites, difficulties in providing for the needs of the various esonimunities. There were also spiritual problems arising from the stresses of that critical period and these caused him great interior suffering. Fortunately Father Cranan possessed a phlegmatic disposition, and whilst to outward appearances he remained imperturbable in the face of difficulties, few realised how much this cost hims Everyone who knew him regarded Father Cronan as a man of great integrity of character, completely dedicated to his priestly duties, seeking no other reward than the consciousness of work well done. He neither sought nor relished the many offices entrusted to him and was more than happy to relinquish them to others when his term of office had expired. He was indeed a genuinely humble priest who shunned the light of publicity and preferred to do his good work unseen by men. As a preacher he was earnest rather than eloquent, but his sermons were always well prepared and listened to with attentions. Without being fanatical about it, he was keenly interested in the Irish language, and in his own quiet, unobtrusive way did much to encourage younger people to love and esteem their cultural heritage. One of his few recreations was to visit the National Stadium at Croke Park on a Sunday afternoon, especially on the eccasion of National Championships. He was also very fond of reading and had a considerable fund of knewledge of the history and antiquities of Dublin. As a rule, he was undemonstrative and reserved in manner, but to many both within and without the community he was a staunch friend and a kindly and interested counsellor, During the last decade of his life, and indeed long before that, he was a greatly esteemed confessor and was assiduous in his attendance at the confessional. His regular day on duty saw large numbers coming to the monastery church for advice, prudent counsel and sympathetic spiritual direction,
36 Aithsugh gifted with rouust health all through his life, Father Cronan's failing energies became apparent during the last couple of years, and for soma time before his death he was under medical care, He was meticulous in carrying out medical instructions regarding diet, daily exercise, etc., and indeed, on one occasion his doctor was heard to describe him as "a model patient", His physical health gradually deteriorated, hig mental processes became somewhat impaired and he seemed on accasion to be discrientated. He was removed to a private nursing home where he received the most devoted care and attention. Throughout his illness he remained cheerful and contented but he gradually sank into a coma from which he did not recover. His brother, Fr. Lawrence Doyle, also a Passionist, and a member of the Province of the Immaculate Conception, Argentina, had pre-deceased him by some years. At the Concelebrated Mass at St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, some twenty-five priests concelebrated, Very Rev. Valentine McMurray, C.P., Provincial, being the principal celebrant. Members of the various communities from both St. Joseph's and St. Patrick's Provinces attended the obsequies, after which Fr. Cronan was laid to rest in the community cemeterys He will be sadly missed throughout our Province. May he rest in everlasting peace, Fabian Grogan, C.P., Rector, Edmund Burke, €.P, ¥ FN eR HH HK HH KR HK HH HR KR F 18th November 1972.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.