Our community has sadly lost an important member.
It is with a sad heart today, that the Irish chaplaincy writes of the passing of Monsignor Brendan Devlin.
Monsignor Devlin passed away peacefully on Tuesday the 19th, aged 92.
His Requiem Mass was this morning Friday the 22nd at 10am in the College Chapel in Maynooth, followed by a removal to Saint Mary’s Church, Rouskey, Gortin, Co Tyrone, after prayers, he was buried in the adjoining cemetery.
Monsignor Devlin was an accomplished polyglot and held the prestigious position of Professor of Modern Languages at Saint Patrick’s College from 1958 until his retirement in 1996. Monsignor Devlin was also Vice-President of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, from 1977 to 1980, and Rector of the Irish College in Paris from 1984 to 2001.
It was his work in the late 1970s that we at the chaplaincy are most thankful for, as Monsignor Devlin was a major force for the redevelopment and renovation of the Irish Chaplaincy in Paris and the Centre Culturel Irlandais as we know it today.
He was determined to re-establish the centre as an asset for Irish people and it is thanks to Monsignor Delvin’s trojan work we have a thriving Irish community in our chaplaincy today.
“He was a true Shepherd, a humble gentleman and I felt honoured and privileged to have known him during my time in Maynooth” was a quote from one of his former students and a sentiment we all share at the Irish Chaplaincy Paris. He helped care for our community and he will be sadly missed by all. May he rest in peace.
The chaplaincy will be commemorating and celebrating his life with a Mass on Sunday October the 1st at 11h30.
Below is a link from Saint Patrick’s College announcing the passing of Monsignor Delvin and his career work.
Death of Monsignor Brendan P. Devlin