19 FEB - SAINT OF THE DAY [B JOHN SULLIVAN, SJ (1861-1933)]

 John Sullivan was born into a prominent family. His Protestant father was a brilliant barrister 

    who would later become Lord Chancellor of Ireland. His mother was a Catholic from a land-owning family. As was the custom of the time, 

    the boys in the family were baptized in the father’s Protestant faith, and the girls were baptized as Catholics. At the age of 11, John was sent to Portora Royal School. 

    The excellent student then attended Trinity College, Dublin, where he studied the Classics. He later studied law and for a time practiced as a barrister. 

    After his father’s death, his father’s inheritance gave him a measure of financial independence. He traveled Europe extensively, 

    especially spending time taking walking tours of Macedonia, Greece, and Asia Minor. He spent several months in one of the Orthodox Monasteries on Mount Athos, 

    even contemplating entering as a monk. To the surprise of his family, John Sullivan was received into the Catholic Church at the age of 35. 

    His decision to become Catholic led to a change in lifestyle. At the age of 40, Sullivan entered the Society of Jesus. After seven years of study, 

    he was ordained in 1907. Next came an appointment to the teaching staff of Clongowes Wood College, where he spent most of the rest of his life. 

    Sullivan’s priestly life was one of prayer, personal sacrifice, care for his students, and, most especially, concern for the ill and the poor. 

    Sullivan spent hours in prayer on his knees before the Blessed Sacrament or in his room praying the Rosary. Many more hours were spent walking the roads of Ireland to 

    pray for the sick, especially those with incurable illnesses. From the 1920s until his death in 1933, 

    there were many instances of spiritual and physical healing through the mediation of his prayers. He died at the age of 72. 

    He was beatified May 13, 2017 and is remembered as a healing and holy priest from Ireland.





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