Fr Donal Doyle SJ passed away peacefully at Loyola House in Toyko, aged 93.

Donal lived a remarkable life, known to presidents Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese and President Michael D. Higgins. He was a recipient of the 2015 Business and Education Presidential Distinguished Services Awards that recognise remarkable people who have served Ireland with distinction whilst living abroad.

Donal dedicated his life to inclusion and building welcoming and engaging communities. In 1985 he was encouraged to establish an Ireland Studies Programme at Sophia University in Japan’s capital and this later developed into the Ireland Studies’ Tour that gave students a special, personal experience of the country and the people. As a result, Ireland has many hundreds of Japanese friends who are influential in business, administration, and the arts.

He will be missed by all who knew him and his legacy through the alumni and communities he encouraged is testament to his mission.

You can find out more about his remarkable life by clicking the link: here

RIP

Fr Donal Doyle died of old age at Loyola House, Tokyo at 3:25 p.m. Tuesday May 6. He was 93 years old and had been in the Society for 73 years. Members of the same community will offer two Masses and other members of Province one Mass for Fr Doyle’s eternal repose.

A vigil service will be held on Monday May 12 at 7:30 p.m. and the funeral Mass on Tuesday May 13 at 4:00 p.m., both in St. Ignatius Church, Tokyo.

The Mass will be live streamed: here