Pope Francis has approved the beatification of Venerable John Sullivan (1861-1933). The Holy Father approved the decree that authenticated a miracle attributed to Father Sullivan at an audience with Cardinal Angelo Amato, the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Many miracles have been attributed to the Jesuit priest who was baptised into the Church of Ireland (his father’s tradition) and who became a Roman Catholic (his mother’s tradition) in the second half of his life.
His early education was at Portora Royal Enniskillen and Trinity College Dublin. Much of his priestly life was spent in Clongowes Wood College, Co. Kildare, where he had a reputation for sanctity among the schoolboys and the many local often poor people whom he visited. Word of his holy and healing ways spread around Ireland and to this day thousands visit his tomb in Gardiner St Church with deep devotion, praying for his help and intercession for healing.
Archbishop Martin and Archbishop Michael Jackson, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin have joined together on several occasions in prayer for Father John Sullivan at Gardiner Street Church in Dublin, which holds the John Sullivan cross.
Pope Francis has approved the beatification of Venerable John Sullivan (1861-1933). We are very privilaged to have a Ciborium which was presented to the community by the servent of God Fr. John Sullivan when he was a barrister prior to becoming a priest.