Société des Missions Africaines – Province d’Irlande
Le Père John C. LAVELLE

né le 11 avril 1898 dans l'île d'Inishbofin dans l'diocèse de Tuam, Irlande membre de la SMA le 22 juillet 1920 prêtre le 14 juin 1924 décédé le 3 décembre 1935

décédé à Dublin, Irlande, le 3 décembre 1935, à l’âge de 37 ans

(biographie en anglais à la suite)

Le père John C. LAVELLE (1898 - 1935)

A Dublin (Irlande), le 3 décembre 1935, retour à Dieu du père John Lavelle, à l'âge de 37 ans.

John Lavelle naquit à l'île d'Inishbofin, en Irlande, dans le diocèse de Tuam, en 1898. Il fit ses études dans les maisons de la Société. Il fit le serment en 1920 et fut ordonné prêtre en 1924.

Destiné au Nigeria, il n'y alla pas, car il dut être mis dans une maison de santé, où il resta jusqu'à sa mort. Séminariste, il s'était toujours montré très serviable.

Father John C. LAVELLE (1898 - 1935)

John Lavelle was born on the island of Inishbofin, off Clifden, Connemara, Co Galway, in the archdiocese of Tuam, on 11 April 1898. He died in Co Dublin, at St. John of God's hospital, Stillorgan, on 3 December 1935.

John was the younger brother of Martin Lavelle who joined the Society in 1915 and spent much of his life teaching in the Society's major seminary at Dromantine, Co Down. John was educated in the colleges of the Society. He studied in the Sacred Heart college, Ballinafad, Co Mayo (1914 1915) and at St. Joseph's college, Wilton, Cork (1915 1918), before entering the Society's novitiate and house of philosophy, at Kilcolgan, Co Galway. John received his theological formation in the Society's seminary at Blackrock Road, Cork (1920-1924). He was admitted to membership of the Society on 22 July 1920 and was ordained a priest by Bishop Daniel Cohalan of Cork diocese, in St. Joseph's church, Blackrock Road, on 14 June 1924. He was one of a group of eleven ordained on that day.

John's obituary in the African Missionary gives the following poignant account of his subsequent life. 'Destined for (Western) Nigeria John was unable to travel because of illness. He spent the remainder of his life in hospital. In human terms John's life appears tragic and wasted. Struck down at the very beginning of his priesthood, without setting foot on African soil, unable to enjoy the association of his confreres and friends, incapable of exercising his priesthood even in the secure environment of his homeland, compelled to endure day after day unspeakable suffering, the meaning of such a life makes little sense in human terms. But life's depths cannot be fathomed by human wisdom alone. John's life can only be understood in the light of faith, and especially in the light of Christ crucified.'

John was one of four Inishbofin inhabitants who joined the Society. As well as his brother Martin, there were the Lacey brothers, George and Martin. George died in Lokoja in 1921 aged 29 years. Martin Lacey died in Monrovia in 1944, aged 45 years. The little chapel on Inishbofin island has a memorial plaque to the four islandmen who joined the S.M.A., each who played his part in his own special way in the evangelisation of Africa.

He is buried in Wilton cemetery.