Br Kevin Crowley of Capuchin Day Centre dies aged 90
He had been known throughout the country and beyond as a Brother to the poor, particularly through his work in the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People which he founded on Bow Street, Dublin in 1969.
Expressing his sincere sympathy to Br Kevin's family and his Capuchin confrères, Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell recalled how Br Kevin had 'devoted his life to the service of the poor. His work with the Capuchin Day Centre staff and volunteers transformed the lives of the poor and marginalised in our city who availed of its services, from misery and despair to hope and love.'
His was 'a love that reached out with no questions asked of those who sought assistance. Br Kevin was an authentic follower of St Francis of Assisi,' the Archbishop said.
READ MORE
Born at Kilcoleman, Enniskeane, Co Cork on February 24th, 1935, Br Kevin was baptised William but following entry to the Capuchin Postulancy in Kilkenny in 1958 and, later, the Novitiate in Rochestown, Co Cork, he received the name Kevin.
[
'He's just a saint, just a pure out and out saint': Founder of Capuchin Day Centre retires
]
In 1968, he was asked to take charge of the Clothing Guild in Dublin's Church Street. He quickly realised that much more was required than a clothing distribution unit, so he set up the St Felix soup kitchen and day centre, which initially catered for up to 50 persons daily. From then the numbers just grew and grew.
As he recalled in his final interview before leaving Dublin for his native Cork in August 2022, 'I saw the people coming to our church. I saw the people walking the streets. I saw the people looking into dustbins and taking food out of the dustbins'. As a follower of St Francis 'I decided something should be done for them.' It was the beginnings of the Capuchin Day Centre.
'We had no money. Things were very bad. I owed a bill for £1,000, and £1,000 then was a lot of money and I didn't have it. I went down to the oratory, and I do believe in God in a very, very big way, and I said to the Lord 'these are your people and if you want me to feed them you'd better go get the money'. And we never went short of food or money since then.'
He recalled how at that time 'I thought the drink was a huge problem, which it was, but then the drug scene came in. The drug scene has taken over completely and is appalling. Only for our medical team we would have had many deaths here on the premises.'
He said the centre has gone from about 50 people when it started to now having 200 people for breakfast, 600/700 for lunch from Monday to Saturday.
Unsurprisingly a stand-out moment for him over the years was the visit of Pope Francis to the Centre in August 2018. 'The greatest for me was the day they saw the Pope coming up Bow St in the Popemobile and the first thing he did was to come up to the homeless people to greet each and every one of them. And I made it quite clear there were to be no dignitaries whatsoever here.'
Present too on that day were two other great allies of the homeless, Alice Leahy and Sr Stanislaus Kennedy.
What was most significant for Br Kevin about such visits was that 'the homeless people were being recognised. That was the most important thing for me'.
In Rome later that year, addressing Capuchins from around the world, Pope Francis, departed from his prepared speech to say how 'recently in Ireland, I saw your work with the most discarded and I was moved. It is a beautiful thing that … the elderly founder told me, `Here we do not ask where you come from, who you are: you are a child of God'. This is one of your traits. To really understand the persons, by 'smell', unconditionally.'
Another regular visit to the centre over the years was President Michael D Higgins. On a visit there in 2016 he said what Br Kevin made possible at the Day Centre was 'the stuff of a real republic'.
The remains of Br Kevin will arrive at St Mary of the Angel's, Church St Dublin at 5pm on Thursday evening and will lie in repose there on Friday until 6pm. Following requiem Mass on Saturday at 11am, burial will follow in Dardistown cemetery.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
New school admissions system for second-level schools to be piloted in five towns in October
A streamlined system for applying to second-level schools will be piloted across five towns later this year in a bid to overhaul what parents describe as a chaotic and stressful applications process. The single applications system for admission to first year will be piloted in Athenry, Co Galway ; Celbridge , Co Kildare ; Clonakilty , Co Cork ; Greystones , Co Wicklow ; and Tullamore, Co Offaly . Minister for Education Helen McEntee has pledged to expand the system nationwide if it is successful. She said it aims to simplify admissions, provide more certainty for parents, reduce administrative overheads for schools and provide earlier identification of duplicate applications. READ MORE 'This pilot is an important step towards delivering a more efficient, transparent and equitable school application process,' she said. 'It will reduce stress for parents and children, ease administrative burdens on schools and support better planning for school places.' At present, parents are advised to apply to multiple schools in areas that are heavily oversubscribed to boost their children's chances of securing a place in local schools. Many parents have complained that this approach results in long waiting lists and months of stress as they wait to find out if their child has secured a place. Under the new system, parents and guardians will have access to a single online application form who want to apply for a first-year place for their child in participating schools, including for special classes. Applications will open from October 1st for school places in September 2026. A combination of rapid population growth in local areas, a demographic bubble of secondary school pupils and increasing demand for special classes have placed growing pressure on school admissions across the country. Some of the areas where the single applications system have experienced acute enrolment pressure and shortages of school places, with students either left without school places or forced to travel long distances to access a place. The list of participating schools includes: Athenry (Presentation College, Clarin College and Coláiste an Eachréidh); Celbridge (Salesian College, St Wolstan's Community School, Celbridge Community School); Clonakilty (Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty Community College); Greystones (St David's Holy Faith Secondary School; Temple Carrig Secondary School, Greystones Community College); and Tullamore/Killina (Coláiste Choilm, Sacred Heart Secondary School, Killina Presentation Secondary School, Tullamore College).
Irish Post
5 hours ago
- Irish Post
'Warm, caring, fearless': President Higgins leads tributes following death of Brother Kevin Crowley
PRESIDENT Michael D. Higgins has led the tributes following the death of Capuchin friar, Brother Kevin Crowley, at the age of 90. Br Kevin founded the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin in 1969 after being moved by the plight of homeless people in the city. Over the course of the centre's history, Br Kevin — who is originally from Enniskeane, Co. Cork — oversaw much of its development in response to the needs of homeless people. Br Kevin, who welcomed the late Pope Francis to the centre in 2018, retired from his role in August 2022. "His commitment to people who were poor, homeless or in need in any way was a hallmark of the man who felt compelled to express his Capuchin Franciscan values through concrete actions," read a statement from the centre. Br Kevin shakes hands with Pope Francis during the pontiff's visit to the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin in 2018 (Image: Damien Eagers / Maxwell Photography Pool Photos / Rolling News) In his tribute, President Higgins said Br Kevin 'made an invaluable contribution to the people of Dublin city'. "I was deeply honoured to meet with Br Kevin on many occasions throughout the years and to share in his company," said the president. "Br Kevin was a warm, caring, yet fearless man, who dedicated his life to living his Christian faith in dedication to those most in need. "Br Kevin leaves a wonderful legacy to all those whose lives to which he made such a difference." 'Warmth and decency' Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald described Br Kevin as 'a champion of the poor and of those who fall on hard times'. "A proud son of Cork, his relentless work in the Capuchin Centre here in Dublin is the stuff of legend. He lived for others and changed lives," she said. "He was a man of deep faith and real modesty. He loved people and worked every day to help those in need. "He believed fully that nobody should be forgotten or left behind. "Every time I met Br Kevin, his warmth and decency shone through. Br Kevin with then Taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2012 (Image: Laura Hutton / "The legacy he leaves us is a legacy of love and the belief that a person can make a difference." Archbishop of Dublin Fr Dermot Farrell said Br Kevin changed the lives of those he helped while seeking nothing in return. "Br Kevin devoted his life to the service of the poor," he said. "His work with the Capuchin Day Centre staff and volunteers transformed the lives of the poor and marginalised in our city who availed of its services, from misery and despair to hope and love. "He was always able to see Christ in the people he met. His was a love that reached out with no questions asked of those who sought assistance." 'Unwavering commitment' The Salvation Army in Ireland said they hoped their own work would be a 'consolation to all who mourn Br Crowley's passing'. "He was a man of faith, compassion, and action who devoted his life to those most in need," read a statement from the charity. "His unwavering commitment to dignity, kindness, and inclusion changed countless lives. "We in the Salvation Army share in his values and mission of supporting our most vulnerable people particularly those experiencing homelessness." Br Kevin outside the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin in 2020, with the centre's then chairman, Brother Peter Rogers (Image: Julien Behal Photography / Core to Br Kevin's vision and the Capuchin Day Centre's mission is the unconditionality of access irrespective of age, race, gender, nationality and religious or political beliefs. Those who come to the centre are not asked for any personal information, or about their reasons for accessing its services. This unique openness, fostered by Br Kevin, led to the Capuchin Day Centre becoming a bedrock of homeless services in Dublin and a reliable safety net for the most vulnerable in society. When Br Kevin founded the centre in 1969, around 50 people accessed it regularly — today, that number has grown to more than 1,000 hot breakfasts and dinners served each day. See More: Brother Kevin Crowley, Capuchin Day Centre, Michael D Higgins
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
Capuchin Day Centre founder Br Kevin Crowley recalled as ‘champion of the poor'
Br Kevin Crowley, who died on Wednesday aged 90 , was remembered as 'a champion of the poor' and a man who 'saved many lives' at the Capuchin Day Centre he founded more than 55 years ago. The centre on Dublin's Bow Street, which provides food, clothing, medical and other care to the city's homeless and destitute, was busy as ever hours after his death was announced. Craig (37), from Dublin, who had just finished lunch of beef stew, potatoes and vegetables, said he had known Br Kevin for about 20 years. 'I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for him and this centre ... He saved many lives and he was a big part of my life. He was always welcoming. He'd shake your hand, ask how your day was. That means a lot to a homeless person. When you're homeless 90 per cent of people walk by you, but that man took 40 seconds out of his day to ask, 'how you are doing today?' READ MORE 'I am homeless still, living in a tent ... I would love a place [home]. Here, you can come in the morning; you are not rushed out the door. You can relax, go asleep, have a shower if necessary.' Derek (60) had known the late friar since about 2015. 'I was just made redundant and it was hard. I came in here to get dinners first. Br Kevin would sit down and chat with me. He was more like a father, a lovely man ... It's very sad now that he has passed. I hope I can get to the funeral.' Food bags at the day centre in Dublin's city centre. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Robert, from Ballymun, who is living in a nearby hostel, said Br Kevin was 'always kind' to him. 'He'd always help me out with clothes, food ... It is so important, especially when you're in and out of homelessness.' Centre director Fr Kevin Kiernan heard of his mentor's death early this morning. 'Like everything, you are expecting it, but then when it comes, there is a shock. Kevin was 90 last February; he was ready. I spoke to him about two weeks ago and he said, 'I am very weak. I just want to go'. He embraced the Lord in death this morning and that's the way he wanted it ... He is a great loss for us, but his vision is still very much alive in the day centre.' Alan Bailey, a retired Garda detective who has volunteered at the centre for more than 50 years, described Br Kevin as a 'champion of the poor who devoted his whole life to the poor'. On the day he died, the centre he founded served more than 650 hot meals and distributed hundreds of food parcels. Br Kevin's remains will repose at St Mary of the Angels Capuchin Church on Church Street from Thursday evening and through Friday, where the public are invited to pay their respects.
