Fr. Doyle’s extraordinary life on the battlefield will inspire Catholics
to grow in holiness and love for Jesus
SAN FRANCISCO — A Catholic priest slept in the trenches, evaded gas attacks, and was killed by a German shell during World War I. Fr. Willie Doyle’s life and heroism remained hidden to much of the world until now. TO RAISE THE FALLEN: A Selection of the War Letters, Prayers, and Spiritual Writings of Fr. Willie Doyle, S.J., by Dr. Patrick Kenny, reveals the extraordinary story of this ordinary priest, who gave his life for others yet whose struggle to obtain holiness is remarkably relatable to Catholics today.
Kenny is senior lecturer in the College of Business at Technological University Dublin. He has written extensively on society, politics and religion for Irish and international publications, including the National Catholic Register, The Irish Catholic, the Catholic Herald, Human Life Review and a variety of secular publications. He also runs a website dedicated to Fr. Doyle and his life: www.fatherdoyle.com.
TO RAISE THE FALLEN will not only inspire, but also challenge the reader to look at their own life and use Fr. Doyle’s own spiritual journey to grow in holiness. Fr. Doyle lived in the trenches during World War I and spent most of his days granting absolution and burying the dead, yet the story of his daily struggles to be able to do that work with love and selflessness is the heart of the book.
Fr. Doyle’s compassion, cheerfulness, humor and humility, alongside his great valor in wartime, are a testament to his commitment to Christ. His final act of bravery epitomizes Christ’s words that there “is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
“In the context of a nationalistic war that placed nation ahead of God, Church or the dignity of unique individuals, Fr. Willie Doyle, S.J. restored the proper order. His love of Jesus Christ fired his courage to bring the needed sacraments to anyone in need,” said Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., TV Host, EWTN Live. “The men knew he cared for each of them, and he risked his life for any of them. An impersonal bomb was the way this good shepherd laid down his life for the sheep. Anyone who reads his story of love for God’s sake will be made a better person by the experience.”
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For more information, to request a review copy or to schedule an interview with Patrick Kenny, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or [email protected]) of Carmel Communications.
