Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day 2
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…
Preparing for Pentecost: Novena to the Holy Spirit
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…
The candles are lit…
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…
The death has occurred of Brother Oliver Brady OFM Cap
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…
Religious Life in the 21st Century: A Reflection for Vocation Sunday
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…
Vocation Sunday Special
We are delighted to be part of the Irish Catholic Newspaper’s Vocation Sunday Special. Read the interview with Brother Martin, our Vocation Promoter The Irish Catholic Vocations Supplement 2019- Main article
The Capuchin ‘Florence Nightingale’
Today in the Capuchin world we remember our brother Blessed Jeremiah of Wallachia (Romania). He was an ordinary man who lived his vocation in an extraordinary way. Our Capuchin brothers in Korea have published an excellent reflection on his life and ministry. One of the many phrases Jeremiah often said was “When you have some…
Padre Pio Mass, Church Street, Dublin 7
Padre Pio Mass in St. Mary of the Angels, Capuchin Friary, Church St on Thursday April 25th. Confessions from 7.00 p.m. till 7.25 p.m. Mass at 7.30 p.m. and blessing with the relic after Mass… All Welcome…
Easter blessings
We wish you all a blessed Easter and pray that the Risen Lord with continue to open our hearts to the wonder of his presence in our lives and world.
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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