AT the unveiling of a plaque following Mass to commemorate the Centenary of the St Columban Missionary Society at Dalgan Park, Shrule were Bishop Brendan Kelly of Galway, Fr Vivian Loughrey (Shrule), Columban Fathers, and relatives of Columban Society members from the Shrule area. Photo: Trish Forde

Tuam Columban priests remembered at centenary

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ONE hundred years ago an Irish regiment was raised to march forth and conquer more territory for what has become known as our Spiritual Empire. It was not a regiment in the military sense — all its members were pacifists — but its aim was “To win souls for God”.

Originally called the Maynooth Mission to China, the new society soon went under the patronage of the ancient Irish missionary St Columbanus and became known as the Columbans.
It had strong connections with Tuam and St Jarlath’s College from the very beginning.
Its founders were Bishop Edward Galvin and Fr John Blowick. Fr Blowick was one of more than 50 priests who studied in St Jarlath’s College and later joined the Columbans.

Read the full feature in this week's edition of The Tuam Herald

David Burke
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