5 days ago
Founder of Capuchin Day Centre, Brother Kevin Crowley, dies aged 90
Known across Ireland for his work helping the poor and homeless, Brother Kevin founded the Capuchin Day Centre, based on Bow Street in Dublin, in 1969.
The organisation provides more than 1,000 hot meals every day and more than 1,000 food parcels every week for homeless and poor people.
The Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell extended his sympathies to Brother Kevin's family and his fellow Capuchins.
"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 said.
"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. Brother Kevin was an authentic follower of St Francis of Assisi.
'As we mourn Brother Kevin's death, he would want us to remember the poor we still have with us in ever greater numbers because of homelessness, wars, famine and the multiplicity of addictions that affect our county today.
"Today we ask the Lord to grant us compassion for those who are experiencing Calvary and sorrow for our own self-indulgence. We cannot put words on that love of God, and yet when we have witnessed it in a good man's life and death, we too are able to recognise it, and to say a deeper and more grateful 'yes' to God.
'May Brother Kevin Crowley rest in the eternal embrace of God.'
Born to parents William and Catherina in Kilcolean in Enniskeane, Co Cork in February of 1935, Br Kevin was baptised William. He attended school at the local national school and Bandon Vocational School.
He then entered the Capuchin Postulancy in Co Kilkenny on April 7, 1958, Easter Monday of that year. In October of that year, he was admitted to the Novitate in Rochestown in Cork where he received the name Kevin.
After spending time working in the Cooperative Clothing Guild in Dublin, he had offices on Bow Street reconstructed to build the Capuchin Day Centre.
It has since gone on to become a vital facility for supporting poor and homeless people in Dublin. In recent years, it has offered support for international protection applicants.
The centre was visited by Pope Francis during his time in Ireland in 2018, where he met service users.
Addressing Capuchins in the Vatican later that year, the late pontiff said: '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. Come in, then we will see. As Capuchins, closeness is your charism. Preserve it.'
Brother Kevin retired in 2022, aged 87.
