A Syrian-born Columban missionary in China

A Syrian-born Columban missionary in China

Fr Dan Troy recalls a fascinating article in the Far East magazine in 1934 by Syrian-born Fr Peter Gabriel, a Columban missionary who lived in China in the 1930s. As the spring rain poured down on Wuhan during the first week of February I was quite happy to delay my...
First Columban Mission to China 1920

First Columban Mission to China 1920

One hundred years ago the first Columbans arrived in China. Fr Neil Collins recalls the challenges they faced in places like Hanyang – “a city of no Catholics”. “Didn’t this luggage belong to the Irish missionaries to China?” asked a dock worker in...
86-year-old Chinese woman recalls Bishop Edward Galvin

86-year-old Chinese woman recalls Bishop Edward Galvin

Two weeks ago, Fr Paul announced with great excitement what seemed to be his discovery of the pearl of great price. In terms of Church history in this area of China, the discovery brought a broad smile to his face. The source of his excitement was the news shared with...
Sacrifice of Columban Martyrs recalled at Dalgan Mass

Sacrifice of Columban Martyrs recalled at Dalgan Mass

At a Mass in Dalgan Park, Fr Neil Collins recalled the lives of the 24 Columban martyrs who died violently on mission over the course of the Society’s 100 years. Relatives of the 23 priests and one Columban Sister joined Columban missionaries for the...
I owe my vocation to my uncle, ordained in Shrule in 1931

I owe my vocation to my uncle, ordained in Shrule in 1931

Rev Dr Neil Collins, Columban historian and author of ‘A Mad Thing to Do’ – the new comprehensive history of the Missionary Society of St Columban – gave the homily at the recent centenary celebration in Shrule. In his homily, Fr Neil explained...