FRANK DUFF-AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN

This humble man born in Phibsboro Dublin in 1889 is possibly one of the greatest Irish men of the last two centuries. He died in 1980 and since then his cause for sainthood has been introduced and is on-going.

He was a small gentleman but big in the spiritual sense. He was often seen travelling by bicycle around the country and of course his native Dublin. In 1965 during the 2nd Vatican Council as he slipped in quietly he was noticed by Cardinal Heenan of Westminster, who announced his arrival. The 2500 Bishops rose to give him a warm and moving ovation. It was a thank you from the universal church to this pioneer of the laity and their apostolate. There is no better way to celebrate the golden jubilee of the 2nd Vatican Council then to delve into the life of this extraordinary man.

He lived his life mainly between his home and the headquarters which stood a few minutes from his home. The headquarters is flagged on each side by the Morning Star hostel and the Regina Coeli hostel both spear headed by Frank in answer to the homeless situation that prevailed in Dublin at that time and they are still today a work in progress.

Frank who was a civil servant retired early from his work to give all his energies to the organisation he founded in 1921, the Legion of Mary. This quiet man established this movement of prayer and Christian evangelisation and care under the Marian banner of spirituality. The Legion of Mary has spread worldwide and it has enriched the life of the Church and the many ordinary people that it contains. Frank had a vision that in every ordinary person there is courage and heroism that could be tapped and tap it he did. The Legion of Mary has been described as Charism of the Holy Spirit given to Frank Duff. The Legion of Mary in Kerry intend holding a celebration of Holy Mass on Thursday 6th November at the Church of the Resurrection in Killarney. Fr. Eamon McCarthy, C.C. a priest of the Cloyne Diocese will preach the homily on the life of Frank Duff. Everyone is most welcome to come and hear more about this extraordinary man, to pray that he will shortly be made a and to promote his life so that the required miracle is obtained. The Mass begins at 7.30 p.m. and will be preceded by the . Prayer leaflets for his and other literature will be available on the night.