Confraternities

THE CONFRATERNITIES

One of the glories of Clonard church is its twin confraternities of men and women, both dating back to the earliest days of the temporary church. Because of their extraordinary influence for good they deserve more than a passing mention.

Ladies Confraternity

The Confraternity of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and St. Alphonsus

The original confraternity of Our Lady was established in the Redemptorist church of San Alfonso in Rome in 1871. Saint Alphonsus was chosen as its secondary patron because of his great devotion to Mary. A branch of this confraternity was founded in Clonard in 1897 by Father Patrick Griffith. The day was June 20th, the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. On the following Sunday when the first meeting took place more than 700 women attended. Father Griffith remained as Director until 1904. From the beginning the confraternity attracted ever increasing numbers. When the Golden Jubilee of founding was celebrated in 1947 the total membership was 7,569. The members have always had a tremendous enthusiasm for their confraternity, inspired no doubt by their love for the Mother of Perpetual Succour. "My Clonard Sunday" was a special day for them. The confraternity was part of their lives, a veritable powerhouse of grace. Despite the shrinking numbers of today this is still the case.

One of the many special confraternity celebrations.

The Archconfratemity
How to Join the Archconfraternity
of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
The Archconfratemity is a worldwide spiritual organization whose members are united for the express purpose of honoring and serving the Mother of God under the special title of "Our Mother of Perpetual Help." It is canonically established at the church of St. Alphonsus in Rome, where the original miraculous image of Our Mother of Perpetual Help is venerated.

To become a member of the Archconfratemity, it is necessary

to be enrolled by name at a church or shrine where a confratemity is canonically erected (any Catholic in good standing is eligible); and
to recite the Act of Consecration:
Act of Consecration to Our Mother of Perpetual Help

"United with the members of our confraternity here and throughout the world, we consecrate ourselves to your service. We promise to renew this dedication once a month and frequently to receive the sacraments. We beg you to obtain for us the grace to imitate your great servant, St. Alphonsus, in his love for you and your Son."

Members are urged (not obligated):

1. to renew this Act of Consecration once a month,

2. to have recourse to our Mother of Perpetual Help in every need;

3. to have a Perpetual Help picture in their homes;

4. to wear a medal of Our Mother of Perpetual Help;

5. to spread this devotion among others.

The women's Confraternity in prayer.

Members of the Archconfratemity enjoy many benefits:

1. They are assured of the constant protection of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
2. They share in the public devotions and all other good works of the millions of members throughout the world.
3. Through this devotion they are endowed with a remarkable influence for converting obstinate sinners.
4. By the express will of the Superior General of the Redemptorists, they participate in the good works performed by the entire Congregation of Redemptorist Fathers and Brothers throughout the world.

From Devotions in Honor of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Available from Liguon' Publications.

MEN’S CONFRATERNITY
Confraternity of the Holy Family

The Holy Family Confraternity for men was founded in 1844 in Liege in Belgium by Henri Belletable, an army captain. His intention was to establish an organisation of Catholic laymen who would help their fellow men, particularly those of the working class, to attain their eternal salvation. The first Irish branch of the Holy Family was set up in the Redemptorist Church, Limerick, in 1868. The Clonard branch was established on Tuesday July 20th, 1897, with Father Vincent Bourke as Spiritual Director. As in the case of the women the men's confraternity received a steady inflow of enthusiastic recruits. When the Diamond Jubilee was celebrated in 1957 the membership was 7,172. Shortly before the men's confraternity was founded one was set up for boys. From an early membership of 420 it reached a peak of 2,126 in 1957. The late Cardinal Conway was a member of the boys' confraternity

Henri Belletable

The public processions of the two confraternities which usually marked a Holy Year or Jubilee celebration were splendid acts of faith as well as occasions of colourful pageantry. The most striking of such celebrations was probably that of the Holy Year 1951 when fifteen thousand men, women and boys marched along a three mile route to make their Holy Year visits in the churches of St. Paul's, St. John's and St. Teresa's. An estimated 40,000 people watched the long and colourful procession. The BELFAST TELEGRAPH described the celebration as "probably the greatest of its kind in the history of West Belfast." It is impossible to estimate the blessings brought by the confraternities into countless homes and their contribution to the spiritual health of the Catholic community. Nor are the material needs of the members neglected. Thus the Clonard Credit Union gives valuable help to confraternity members who have serious financial problems as well as encouraging them to practise thrift.

Click on pictures to enlarge images

CLONARD MEN’S CONFRATERNITY

Clonard Men’s Confraternity possesses a distinctive spirit. It is a spirit of loyalty and affection towards the Holy Family and the Redemptorist Congregation at Clonard.
There are men with a record of not having missed a meeeting in 30, 40, 50, or even 60 years.
The Confraternity has become part of their lives. Attendance is a "MUST" for them.
Some families have a tradition of being members – a tradition handed down from father to son.
Our thoughts turn in gratitude to the Directors and men who, by their fidelity have made the present day members heirs to such a noble institution.
At the end of each meeting the men sing the anthem pledging continued faithfulness:

Jesus, Mary, Joseph help us,

That we ever true may be

To the promises that bind us

To the Holy Family

The present Director is Father Michael Browne C.Ss.R. and the men meet on either Monday or Tuesday each week at 7.45pm.
The meetings consist of Prayers, homily and Benediction of the most Blessed Sacrament.
On the first meeting of each month Mass is celebrated for the intentions of the members.

**Directors of Men’s Confraternity**
Rev. Vincent Burke	1897-1898
Rev. P. Leo	1898-1899
Rev. J.P.Lowham	1899-1902
Rev. P.S.Cussen	1902-1906
Rev. P. Crotty	1906-1911
Rev. T. O’Twomey	1911-1914
Rev T. O’Connor	1914-1915
Rev. M. Hannigan	1915-1918
Rev. J. Walsh	1918-1919
Rev. V. McManus	1919-1923
Rev. P. Carthy	1924-1927
Rev. J. Deeney	1927-1930
Rev. C. Mangan	1930-1932
Rev. J. Reynolds	1932-1936
Rev. J. Deeney	1936-1937
Rev. J. Murray	1937-1940
Rev. J.Walsh	1940-1941
Rev P.Byrne	1941-1942
Rev J. Ryan	1942-1945
Rev. F. Russell	1945-1947
Rev. D. Harris	1947-1949
Rev. S. O’Loughlin	1949-1952
Rev. M.J.Connolly	1952-1955
Rev. C. McCarthy	1955-1961
Rev. F. Mullaghy	1961-1963
Rev. H. McLaughlin	1963-1967
Rev. S. Mullin	1967-1969
Rev. P. Egan	1969-1972
Rev. A. Bennett	1972-1975
Rev. H. McLaughlin	1975-1976
Rev. P. Burns	1976-1978
Rev. P. O’Keefe	1978-1981
Rev. S. Keeney	1981-1984
Rev. E. Lynch	1984-1990
Rev. G. Reynolds	1990-1996
Rev. M. Browne	1996-1999
Rev. E. Creamer	1999-

THE ARCHCONFRATERNITY OF THE HOLY FAMILY DOWN
THE ARCHES OF THE YEARS
Founded at Liege, Belgium, by Captain Henri. Belletable and Cardinal VictorDeschamps, C.SS.R., 1844. Raised to the rank of Archconfraternity by Pope Pius IX, 1847. Clonard Branch, the Most Holy Redeemer Division, established July 20th, 1897, by Rev. Vincent Bourke, C.SS.R. The Second Division, Our Blessed Lady's Division, formed in 1924. The Third Division, St. Joseph's Division, formed in 1946. The Junior Men's Division, St. Clement's, formed in 1951.
The Aim of the Confraternity To make Families Holy. To form Christlike Men and Boys. The Rules are Simple : To attend the weekly meeting. To receive Holy Communion monthly with your section. To offer each morning the work of the day to the Holy Family. To make a nightly examination of Conscience.

**PROGRESS OF THE CONFRATERNITY IN NUMBERS**
Mens Division		Boys Division
1897	60	1897	420
1904	1218	1904	545
1928	3765	1928	1598
1931	4392	1931	1621
1957	7172	1957	2126

Grand Total in 1957: 9298