Annual Belmullet cycle in aid of the Capuchin Day Centre
For a number of years now a group of cyclists have cycled from Dublin to Belmullet in Co Mayo in aid of the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People. Safe trip to all involved and thank you for supporting the work of the Day Centre. (Photo Credit: Damien Eagers)
Pope Francis – ‘The Church needs vocations’
‘Pope Francis tells participants at a Congress for the Pastoral Care of Vocations in Europe not to be afraid to take up the challenge of continuing to proclaim the vocation to consecrated life and to ordained ministry’ reports Vatican News. Ireland was represented by Fr Willie Purcell (National Diocesan Vocations Office), Bishop Donal McKeown (Bishop…
Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 8
Day 8 of the Pentecost Novena; Once again we meditate upon the breath as an encounter with the Holy Spirit who is the breath, the life (Ruah) of God, the One who gives life to and sustains all that is. Read the prayer below slowly and gently and during the day often return to the…
The Day President Kennedy came to Cork
John F. Kennedy in Cork, 1963 With the present incumbent currently visiting Ireland, it seems appropriate to share this image of John F. Kennedy, President of the United States, in Cork on 28 June 1963. Kennedy spent four days in Ireland as part of a European tour. His visit to Cork was one of the…
Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 7
Day 7 of the Pentecost Novena: Today our meditation comes from the great St. Augustine and invites us to be aware of the activity of the Holy Spirit as the Sanctifier: the One who invites us into holiness through every motion of our being when we dwell in awareness of the Divine Presence. Read the…
Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 6
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…
Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit- Day 5
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…
Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 4
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…
Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 3
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…
Well done to all the team in Ards Capuchin Friary and Centre for the Care of Creation. For more information visit their webiste: www.ardsfriary.ie ... See MoreSee Less
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Today we clebrate the feast day of St Clare of Assisi. We extend our good wishes to all the Poor Clares around the World as we honour their founder. St Clare of Assisi, pray for us.
Listen to the story of St Clare: www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-clare-of-assisi/?utm_campaign=New%20Newsletter%202... ... See MoreSee Less
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Follow the excellent new blog from the Capuchins at Knock Shrine. Well done to all involved: ... See MoreSee Less
Capuchins in Knock
capsinknock.com
A blog from the Capuchin Franciscans at Knock Shrine — life, ministry and reflections from the friary.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Loneliness, Hunger of the Heart (Matt 14:13-21)
When Jesus received the news of the death of his cousin, John the Baptist, he withdrew by boat with the apostles to a lonely place where they could be by themselves.
Another name for loneliness is the hunger of the heart. A popular film years ago was called “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.” One cause of loneliness is the emptiness experienced after the death of a loved one. Even Jesus felt the need to cope with this emptiness. A person who is grieving needs time and space. Different people deal with grief in different ways. In the weeks after the funeral, many people will be very tired physically, emotionally and spiritually. One may not have the emotional energy to pray. It is important to let them know that you are praying for them. Pray also for the discernment to know when to accompany the person grieving and when to let the person have time alone.
A lonely place
The quietness that Jesus sought did not last for long. People soon found out where he was and flocked there. Out of pity for them he set aside his own need and attended to their needs. Hours slipped by and the disciples were concerned because the people had not brought food. It is interesting that the apostles did not say to Jesus that this is a hungry place but that this is a lonely place. They had touched on the inner hunger of the heart, loneliness.
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta was shocked when her Sisters of Charity went to serve in a poor area of New York. In Calcutta, the Sisters ministered to the dying and fed hundreds of hungry people every day. But in New York they were confronted by the hunger of loneliness felt by deserted old people. This is how Mother Teresa described it: “The worst disease is not leprosy; it is being unwanted, being left out, being forgotten. The greatest scourge is to forget the next person, to be so suffocated with the things we have that we have no time for the lonely Jesus – even a person in our own family who needs us.”
In today’s Second Reading Saint Paul writes: “Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food.. ... See MoreSee Less
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Upcoming in Church Street ... See MoreSee Less
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Our Provincial Minister, Br. Richard shares a reflection on his time in Zambia. Please pray for.our brothers in Zambia and the returned missionaries in Ireland. ... See MoreSee Less
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Treasure in the Heart (Matt. 13:44-52)
In today’s gospel Jesus continues the seven parables about the kingdom of heaven in our lives. What is this kingdom? In the gospels, the kingdom of heaven has several different shades of meaning. In today’s parables it refers to the hidden treasure in the heart. “The kingdom of God is within you.” It is the realization that God is not only up there but is also in here, in my heart and soul. That is what Pope Francis called the joy of the gospel, the joy of a personal relationship with Jesus. “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness”. Inner emptiness is no longer a lonely place: rather, it is space for enjoying the nearness of God in a personal relationship.
This inner joy is described in the parable of a hidden treasure that someone unexpectedly discovered in a field. He goes off, sells everything he owns and buys the field. The discovery represents a totally unanticipated experience that brings about a sudden conversion, a new awareness of God as present in one’s life. It is like a new birth and some people refer to the experience as being born again.
For others the experience is like that of a merchant who was searching for a very valuable pearl. He also sells all he owns to buy this pearl. These are the people who spent time reading and studying, or exploring various philosophies of life until eventually they found Jesus and all that he means. Whether it comes in a sudden conversion experience, or as the result of much study and searching, they hold on to this treasure at any cost. The cost of discipleship usually involves repentance in the sense of a conversion of thought, values and behaviour.
A Church of all sorts
The seventh and last of the parables describes the kingdom as a fishing net dragging in a mixture of many kinds of fish. This refers to the catholic dimension of the kingdom since the word catholic means all-embracing. There is room for all sorts: for those who focus on conserving the past side-by-side with those who are impatient for change. ... See MoreSee Less
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Saints come in all shapes and sizes. The Capuchin Order has over 100 saints and blesseds recognised by the Church. Some years ago Irish Capuchin Friar, Br Owen, compiled a compendium of our Saints and Blesseds (some of the more recent ones will not be on this list). He outlines the life and vocation of each.
As Capuchin Friars we draw much encouragement, guidance and inspiration from our saintly brothers. They share the same vocation as us and we can learn much from them and how they responded to God's call in their lives. You can read Br Owen's account of their lives by copying this website address to your preferred broweser:
capuchin_saints_and_blesseds.pdf share.google/nuRRnRIOOF6LLshWi ... See MoreSee Less
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Our Provincial Minister, Br. Richard, is currently on visitation with the brothers in the Custody of Zambia. Today he met the newly received Novices and tomorrow Br Richard preseides at the celebration of seven first professions and four Solemn in St. Bonaventure’s, Lusaka.
Please keep the brothers in your prayers. ... See MoreSee Less
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