Inspirational Irish friar finally retires at 87 after caring for the vulnerable

Capuchin Brother Kevin Crowley has dedicated his life to bringing dignity and respect to those in need.

In 1969, Brother Kevin Crowley founded the Capuchin Day Center that served the homeless and vulnerable in Dublin. And over 50 years later, he is finally retiring and returning to West Cork, where he will live close to his family.

Now the great age of 87, Brother Crowley spent his life devoted to the poor. Through his day center he’s been able to provide meals, care packages, and facilities to Dublin’s homeless and vulnerable.

When the day center opened, it provided 50 meals a day to the city’s needy. Now, as Brother Crowley retires, the day center offers over 800 meals. But as the Capuchin friar pointed out, the center aims to offer more than a plate of food — it wants to provide each individual with dignity and respect.

The friar’s work has not gone unnoticed. In 2018, Pope Francis visited the center during his papal visit to Ireland, according to RTE. The Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, also made a statement that was posted on social media recently to acknowledge Brogther Crowley’s retirement, pointing out:

“I congratulate Brother Kevin as he retires from the Capuchin Day Centre, where he devoted his life to the service of the poor. His work with its staff and volunteers transformed the lives of those who availed of the services at the centre, from misery and despair to hope and love. One can only marvel at the many people he personally served. He was able to see Christ in the people he met. His was a love that reached out.”

With Brother Crowley set to retire on August 19, the archbishop stressed the importance of maintaining the Capuchin’s efforts:

“We should remember the poor we still have with us, in ever greater numbers because of wars, famine, drug and alcohol addiction. Today we ask the Lord to help us to work towards an alleviation of poverty, to have compassion for those who are experiencing Calvary and sorrow for our own self-indulgence.”

Hopefully, we can all be inspired by Brother Crowley to care for those in need in our communities. We pray that the octogenarian will now be able to sit back and enjoy his retirement, allowing loved ones to care for him as he cared for others.