Jim joined the Dominicans in September 1946, making profession the following year. On reception of the Dominican habit he was given the name Ignatius. He was ordained a priest in 1952.
In the Order he was known as Ignatius, Iggy and Jim.
Early in his ministry he taught Logic to Dominican students in Pope's Quay, Cork.
Tipperary-born priest Fr Gerry Maher, who was working in the 1950s in Trinidad, asked the Irish Dominicans if they would contribute to the running a school in Arima.
Ignatius Candon was the first principal of the school and he was assisted by fellow Dominican, the late Francis McNamara.
Tipperary-born priest Fr Gerry Maher, who was working in the 1950s in Trinidad, asked the Irish Dominicans if they would contribute to the running a school in Arima.
Ignatius Candon was the first principal of the school and he was assisted by fellow Dominican, the late Francis McNamara.
The first classes took place in a shed-style building. Jim named the school Holy Cross College. There followed some controversy about the name the school was given but it made perfect sense considering the location where the site was situated.
Two years later in 1959 Fr Ned Foley succeeded Ignatius as school principal.
Today there are approximately 500 students in Holy Cross College, Arima.
Jim was for a short time in 1970 in the Irish Dominican community in St Abraham's, Avenue Jamalzadeh, Tehran.
Ignatius Candon spent a number of years in the Dominican Priory in Pope's Quay, where he worked closely with the L'Arche Community.
L'Arche has over 130 communities around the world where people with and without intellectual disabilities share life together in community.
In his 60s Ignatius accepted an invitation from Dominican bishop Robert Rivas to work on the island of St Vincent.
A former Dominican provincial said of Ignatius Candon that he was always most willing to do what he was asked. Even in his 90s when he was frail and stooped he accepted invitations to celebrate Mass in homes and nursing homes. He was also always ready to help in household chores in the communities where he lived.
He spent many years, especially during his time in Cork, volunteering with the Samaritans, who offer guidance and help to people with suicidal ideation. Ignatius spent many hours, day and night, staffing the Samaritan telephone and helping fragile people who phoned seeking help and support.
Iggy had been a member of the Dominican community in Athy until the closure of the priory and he moved to St Mary's Priory Tallaght in 2015.
In spite of his frequent poor health and debilitating arthritis, Ignatius was an extremely active and hard-working person. He was a dedicated priest.
He had an unusual way in celebrating Mass. To many it was extremely pious and reverent, to others it could be infuriating and annoying.
Ignatius Candon died in St Mary's Priory, Tallaght on Saturday afternoon.
A former Dominican provincial said of Ignatius Candon that he was always most willing to do what he was asked. Even in his 90s when he was frail and stooped he accepted invitations to celebrate Mass in homes and nursing homes. He was also always ready to help in household chores in the communities where he lived.
He spent many years, especially during his time in Cork, volunteering with the Samaritans, who offer guidance and help to people with suicidal ideation. Ignatius spent many hours, day and night, staffing the Samaritan telephone and helping fragile people who phoned seeking help and support.
Iggy had been a member of the Dominican community in Athy until the closure of the priory and he moved to St Mary's Priory Tallaght in 2015.
In spite of his frequent poor health and debilitating arthritis, Ignatius was an extremely active and hard-working person. He was a dedicated priest.
He had an unusual way in celebrating Mass. To many it was extremely pious and reverent, to others it could be infuriating and annoying.
Ignatius Candon died in St Mary's Priory, Tallaght on Saturday afternoon.
He received dedicated care and support from the caring staff in the priory and from the prior of the community, Donal Roche.
The funeral Mass takes place in St Mary's Priory, Tallaght on Wednesday, December 18 at 11am.
May he rest in peace.
2 comments:
As a novice in Cork in the late 70s,Jim will remain in my memory as one of the members of the community who took the most interest in the novices, and showed us the most kindness. I had the privilege of meeting him a number of times in the past few years, when I occasionally visited Tallaght, and was once more impressed by his humanity, and deep interest in me as a person. The world is poorer for his passing.
Inspiring words about a dedicated priest.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
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