Cardinal John Francis D'Alton
Also known as John Francis D'Alton · Cardinal Dalton
Life
John Francis D'Alton was born on 11 October 1882 in Claremorris, County Mayo, the son of Joseph D'Alton and Mary Brennan. He received an exceptionally wide education for an Irish priest of his generation, studying at Blackrock College, Holy Cross College Clonliffe, the Royal University of Ireland in Dublin, the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, and afterwards at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin in St John Lateran's Basilica, Rome, on 18 April 1908.
From 1910 to 1942 he served on the staff of St Patrick's College, Maynooth, the national seminary, holding successively the chairs of Ancient Classics (1912) and Greek (1922), and the offices of Vice-President (1934) and President (1936). A scholar of distinction, his book 'Horace and his Age' is still consulted by classicists.
On 25 April 1942 he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Meath and Titular Bishop of Binda, and was consecrated by Cardinal Joseph MacRory on 29 June of that year. He succeeded as Bishop of Meath on 16 June 1943. On 13 June 1946 Pope Pius XII named him Archbishop of Armagh and thus Primate of All Ireland. He was created Cardinal Priest of Sant'Agata dei Goti in the consistory of 12 January 1953.
As Primate, D'Alton led the Irish Church through a period of rapid social change, vigorously defending Catholic education and championing Irish unity through peaceful and constitutional means. He was a member of the Central Preparatory Commission of the Second Vatican Council and lived just long enough to attend the council's first session in 1962.
He died of a heart attack in Dublin on 1 February 1963, aged 80, and was buried in the grounds of St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh.
Patronage
- scholars
- seminarians
- the Archdiocese of Armagh
- Irish unity
Suggested prayer
Heavenly Father, in your providence you raise up holy men and women in every age.
Through the intercession of N., grant me [your specific intention] if it be your will, and the grace to remain faithful to you in all things.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sources
Questions & answers
Who was Cardinal John D'Alton?
Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland (1946-1963), classics scholar and Maynooth president who led the Irish Church through the post-war era and the opening of Vatican II.
When did Cardinal John D'Alton die?
Cardinal John D'Alton was born on 11 October 1882 and died on 1 February 1963.
Is Cardinal John D'Alton a saint?
No. Cardinal John D'Alton has not been canonised, and no cause for beatification has been opened. MyHolyHero remembers this life as a witness of faith; the prayer here is for private devotion only.
Is there a prayer to Cardinal John D'Alton?
No official prayer for the cause is available here yet. This page offers a general prayer for private use, asking God for a grace through the intercession of Cardinal John D'Alton.
