AN POST ISSUES STAMPS MARKING ANNIVERSARIES OF THE IRISH FRANCISCAN COLLEGE AND LUKE WADDING

12 February 2007

St. Anthony’s College was founded by the Irish Franciscans in Louvain, Belgium, in what was then the Spanish Netherlands, in 1607.  The Irish College was founded under the patronage of the King of Spain and the Papacy and became the focus of an energetic cultural and political project that had a significant influence on Ireland’s relations with Europe, the writing of Irish history and the preservation of Ireland’s rich cultural heritage.

Dedicated to St. Anthony of Lisbon upon foundation, the College is now run by the Irish Institute for European Affairs.

Born in Waterford in 1588, Luke Wadding studied in Lisbon and Coimbra, Portugal before entering the Franciscan Order. Ordained in Portugal in 1613, he became President of the Irish College, Salamanca in 1617, and the following year he went to Rome as theologian to the Spanish mission sent to promote the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, where he remained for the rest of his life.

Under Father Wadding’s influence, Irish Franciscan Colleges were established in Prague (1629), Vielun, Poland (1645), Paris (1653) and Capranica, Italy (1656). A prolific writer, he published thirty-one books as well as Annales Minorum, a monumental history of the Franciscan Order, in eight volumes which won him an international reputation.

Despite petitions to the Pope to make him a Cardinal, it was Wadding’s wish to remain a simple priest.  He died in Rome in 1657.

An Post has issued a 75c stamp based on a specially commissioned drawing of Wadding by Thomas Ryan RHA, a fitting remembrance of a distinguished statesman of the Catholic Church.

A 75c stamp based on an original illustration by Thomas Ryan is also issued by An Post to mark the 400th anniversary of the Irish Franciscan College, Louvain. The stamp depicts a Franciscan with the door leading to the auditorium of the Irish College in the background.

Both these stamps are available from main Post Offices.  Also available are pictorial First Day Covers which can be purchased from www.irishstamps.ie, from the Philatelic Shop, GPO or by phoning (01) 705 7400.

For further information please contact the Press Office  Visit the Media Centre for more press releases and other resources.