Annual John Sullivan SJ Mass – Sunday 11 May

Preparations have been ongoing for the annual Blessed John Sullivan SJ Mass of Thanksgiving taking place on Sunday 11 May, 2025 at 3pm in the Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co. Kildare. The celebrant is Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.

Organsier Ms Cáit Cullen and her team are expecting people from all over Ireland and even further afield to attend the celebration of the life and work of Irish Jesuit Blessed John Sullivan SJ (1861 -1993). Cáit has invited Peter Lloyd, Fr John’s nephew to read the first reading at the Mass. Pauric McEvoy, a veteran orgainiser of the annual event will read the second reading. Music will be courtesy of the Clongowes College Choir with their director Mr Cyril Murphy.

According to Cáit, the numbers of older people attending the Mass fell somewhat during Covid-19, and she would love if some of those people could return. “It would be great if they were able to come and celebrate this thanksgiving Mass with us. I know many would like to but may not have transport, so if anyone were able to assist a friend, relative or neighbour to join us that would be great,” she says, adding, “Everyone is welcome to this Mass. We are a real community who have been touched by the life of Blessed John, his love of the poor and his healing power given through the grace of God to those who pray to him.”

Fr John was a Jesuit priest with a reputation for sanctity » He was formed in both the Protestant and Catholic traditions, having been brought up in the Protestant tradition of his father before he was received into the Catholic Church and later entered the Jesuits.

He is known for his love of the poor, his life of prayer and fasting, and his care of the sick. He spent much of his priestly life in Clongowes Wood College, Co. Kildare.

There was great devotion to him in his lifetime and that devotion has continued since his death on the 19th February, 1933. Many people believe that his prayers have brought the healing power of God into their lives and his tomb in St. Francis Xaviers’ Church in Gardiner Street, Dublin » is visited daily by those who seek his help.

In 1960 Fr John was declared a Servant of God. He was was declared ‘Venerable’ by Pope Francis in November 2014. In April 2016 Pope Francis approved a decree that authenticated a miracle attributed to Fr Sullivan, thereby approving his beatification which took place in Gardiner St Church in May 2017 »