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 

 

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 picture below for large image: use use browser BACK to return

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