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Booklet 'Scruples and their Treatment' (Adapted from the French). Found among the papers of the late Fr Wm. Doyle, S.J. ‘Irish Messenger’ Series, ‘5th Edition – 50th Thousand’ (1932) and ‘9th Edition – 90th Thousand’ (1943).

William Joseph Gabriel Doyle was born (1873) at Melrose, Dalkey Avenue, Dalkey, county Dublin. Known as Willie, Billie or Sloper (a comic book hero of the time), he was the youngest of seven children of Hugh Doyle, registrar of the insolvency court, and Christine Doyle (née Byrne). Growing up, Willie was devout, caring and cheerful. Educated at Ratcliffe College, Leicestershire, in 1891 Willie followed his older brother Charles into the Jesuits. After two years as a novice, he taught at Clongowes Wood College, where he produced The Mikado and founded the school magazine, The Clongownian. His Jesuit formation included periods in Belgium and England, and further teaching at Clongowes and Belvedere Colleges. After ordination at Milltown Park on 28th July 1907, Willie began work as an urban missionary and retreat giver in Ireland. His positive attitude made him a great success, and he travelled all around the British Isles. He was also the author of best-selling pamphlets on retreats and vocations.

Volunteering as a military chaplain in First World War, Fr Doyle was sent to France with the Royal Irish Fusiliers in early 1916. Within days of his arrival at the Front, he showed himself outstanding in the work of a chaplain. Lt Col HR Stirke noted that Fr Doyle was ‘one of the finest fellows that I ever met, utterly fearless, always with a cheery word on his lips and ever ready to go out and attend the wounded and the dying under the heaviest fire’. Present at the battles of the Somme and Messines, Fr Doyle was killed during the third battle of Ypres on 16th August 1917, while going to the aid of a wounded man near Frezenberg. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial, Belgium. Fr Doyle was awarded the Military Cross, and he was put forward for the Victoria Cross posthumously but did not receive it. Writing to Willie’s father, Hugh, in December 1917, Major General WB Hickie remarks that: ‘I could not say too much about your son. He was loved and reverenced by us all. His gallantry, self sacrifice and devotion to duty were all so well known and recognized. I think that his was the most wonderful character that I have ever known.’

Short obituaries of various members of the Society of Jesus by Fr David Gallery SJ. A covering note by Fr James Rabbitte SJ reads ‘These were prepared for publ(ication). The writer of them Fr Gallery. My opinion is that they are not suitable i.e. as a whole JPR’. Obituaries are provided in the following order:

Name Year of Death
Brady, Fr Philip 1917
Maher, Fr Thomas 1917
Mahon, Br Thomas 1917
Kenny, Fr Timothy 1917
Doyle, Fr William 1917
Hogan, Fr Edmund 1917
Verdon, Fr John 1918
Fottrell, Fr James 1918
Daly, Fr Hubert 1918

Various pictures and sketches of Fr Willie Doyle SJ.

Once owned by Fr Willie Doyle SJ

Various articles, including soap, scissors, pencil, examen beads, rosary beads and buttons, 'some found on his person when he was killed'. Includes leaflets ‘Reasons for being a Catholic’ and Fr Doyle’s ‘Pioneer Pin’. With box.

Diaries in notebook and copybook form, belonging to Fr Willie Doyle SJ which documents his spiritual thoughts, confessions, resolutions and retreats notes, list of mortifications. Some are contemporaneous with his time as a chaplain in WWI, which he alludes to. Inserts comprise loose documents in the form of notes, prayers and letters (July 1908; 5 November 1911 - 16 April 1916) addressed to ‘My dear Child; My dearest Child’.

J2/85 (16) - notebook for conscreation of the Sacred Heart, signed in Fr Doyle's blood.

Spiritual notes and letters belonging to Fr Willie Doyle SJ. Includes typewritten notes on ‘Samuel’, ‘Acts of Immolation’, ‘The Prayer of Christ’; spiritual letters.

Stole belonging to Fr Willie Doyle SJ who had it with him at the front from February 1916-March 1917 (his last home leave) with the inscription ‘Forgot not the kindness of thy surety for he hath given his life for thee’ written by Fr Doyle SJ (05 March 1917). With box.

Booklet 'Synopsis of the Rubrics & Ceremonies of Holy Mass' by Fr Willie Doyle SJ, (Burns Oates & Washbourne, Publishers to the Holy See).

Text of ‘Last thing to be read’ for dinner and supper at the first, second and third day of Triduum.

The prayer, ‘Lord, give me grace’ in Fr Willie Doyle’s handwriting, given to a Loreto nun, Rosario Nesbit, Bray when giving a retreat there.

Photograph of aid post with Fr John Gwynn SJ (c.1914) faded photograph of Fr Willie Doyle SJ; Jesuits at Portnoo (1910); telegram announcing Fr Willie Doyle’s death; letter between Rev. Mother, Sister Benedict of the Convent of Locre, Belgium and Fr William F. Browne C.C. (21-31 August 1917), Fr Frank Browne’s brother.

Vow crucifixes belonging to Fr Willie Doyle SJ.