Day 6 of the Pentecost Novena: Today we turn to the great Franciscan mystic and teacher St. Bonaventure and his prayer for the gifts of the Holy Spirit: read the prayer slowly aware of where these gifts are needed in your life and in the lives of those you pray for. Veni Sancte Spiritus! O…
Day 5 of the Pentecost Novena: Today we invoke the Holy Spirit in the words of St. Francis of Assisi: This prayer for discernment, also know as the prayer of the cave or the prayer before the crucifix is one that comes from the early part of the life of Francis when he was seeking…
Our meditation today comes from the litany of the Holy Spirit: spend a moment with each of these titles and activities of the Holy Spirit and allow them to breathe renewal and peace into your heart. Veni Sancte Spiritus! Ray of heavenly light, Author of all good, Source of heavenly water Consuming fire Ardent charity…
Today we pray the ancient invocation Veni Sancte Spiritus! Come Holy Spirit! Let this prayer rest in your breath and being in these days. Allow it to rise mantra like to your lips from your heart with each breath in these days…. . Come, Holy Spirit, from heaven shine forth with your glorious light. Veni…
Today our meditation is the wonderful invocatory hymn written by the 15th century mystic Bianco di Siena: “Come down, O love divine” It invites us to meditate on the Spirit as the Divine Love between the Father and the Son and to see the path of humility as our way into His presence in…
A novena is a traditional devotion whereby 9 days are set aside and dedicated to particular spiritual practice and prayer. It may be to prepare for a feast, to seek a particular grace or to honour God, Our Lady or the saints, (or it may be a mixture of all of the above) It is…
This time of year the number of candles lit in churches increases exponentially as the state exams loom. It’s a simple and heartfelt act to intentionally light a candle for some one. The words ‘I lit a candle for you’ has encouraged many of us as we faced life’s challenges and difficulties. Simple acts and…
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our Capuchin brother, Oliver Brady OFM Cap. Brother Oliver’s remains will repose in the Capuchin Friary Raheny from 4pm tomorrow (22nd of May 2019). The friars will lead evening prayer at 6pm. Brother Oliver’s funeral mass will take place on Thursday (23rd of May…
Capuchin Bryan Shortall takes some time this Vocation Sunday to reflect on the relevance of religious life. You can read more form Fr Bryan on his blog – https://bryanshortall.blogspot.com The Driving Force – Religious Life in the twenty-first century I sometimes look back to that September 1987 when I joined the Capuchins. Like most young people…