Introduction and Guide to Papers of the Irish Capuchin Mission in Africa
You can now view the descriptive catalogues of the Irish Capuchin Missions in Africa on the Archives & Heritage section of the website (CLICK HERE). These catalogues are prepared by our Archivist Dr Brian Kirby. If you have any questions relating to the descriptive catalogues or the capuchin archives, you can email capuchinarchives@gmail.com
St Francis College Rochestown are U19 Munster Champions
Many congratulations to the team, teachers and coaches of our school in Rochestown, Cork. Full match report available here thanks to the Irish Examiner newspaper: https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews//sport/gaa/st-francis-college-secure-first-tom-collum-cup-win-over-hamilton-high-school-904935.html
The death has occurred of Br Philip Connor OFM Cap.
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our brother, Father Philip Connor OFM Cap. Philip was a member of the Capuchin Community in Kilkenny. May the Lord and St Francis welcome him to his eternal reward.
Follow Capuchin Vocations on Instagram
Come and follow us on Instgram to keep up to date with some snapshots of life as a Capuchin Franciscan Friar. www.instgram.com/capuchinvocationsireland If you like what you see and would like to know more about who we are and why we do what we do, then email Br Martin (Vocations Promotor) on capuchinvocation@gmail.com You can…
Capuchins at the Divine Mercy Conference 2019
The Irish Capuchin Franciscan Friars are delighted to be part of the Divine Mercy Conference again this year. The conference will be held on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of February in the RDS Dublin. A special evening for young people will take place in the RDS on Friday 23rd of February beginning at 6.30pm….
Capuchin Connection Spring Issue
The Spring Issue of Capuchin Connection is now available to read here or you can pick up a copy from our Friaries and Churches. In this issue we reflect on Spring as the time of hopefulness that follows the long, dark days of winter. Brother Richard Hendrick reports from Ard Mhuire Retreat Centre in Donegal…
World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life
February 2nd is set aside in the Church’s year as the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. All over the world religious orders, congregations and societies gather to give thanks for their calling to serve the Gospel as consecrated religious. We may more readily know consecrated religious by other titles such as brothers,…
World Youth Day begins in Panama
At the invitation of Pope Francis, over excess of one million young people from around the World have gathered in Panama to celebrate World Youth Day (WYD). WYD began in Rome in 1986 at the request of St John Paul 2. His desire was to invite young people from around the World to come together…
Synod 2018 Final Document
In October 2018 Pope Francis invited the Bishops of the world to Rome for a Synod meeting. The theme of the synod was ‘Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment’. Worldwide preparation for the synod had been ongoing for over a year and included input from young people in Ireland through an online survey, diocesan level focus…
Be not Afraid (Matt 10: 26-33)
In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues his instruction of the Apostles. Three times, Jesus says “Do not be afraid.” This is a phrase repeated 365 times in the bible.
Once upon a time, it took courage of a sort not to go to church in holy Ireland. People who did not go to church were regarded as odd, or maybe worse. How things have changed! Now it takes courage to witness to Christian beliefs and ideals. One has to swim against the current of popular opinion stirred up by social media brain-washing and cynical agnosticism. God knows how fear can paralyze us so he continually exhorts us to have courage, to have confidence. If people opposed Jesus and called him diabolical names, why should we be surprised if we have to put up with a little mockery? We are in good company when we are with Jesus.
Here’s a story about Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Her Missionaries of Charity spend an hour in prayer before going out to help the poor. One morning, a young Sister going out looked very sad. Mother Teresa gently called her aside. “Did Jesus say ‘Go before me,’ or ‘Follow me’?”
Sister’s face changed and she smiled. To follow Jesus is to walk with him, filled with the great, much needed virtue called hope. You may be familiar with this hymn.
“Do not be afraid, I go before you always. Come follow me and I will give you rest.”
And there is song by Rodgers and Hammerstein in Carousel: When you walk through a storm hold your head up high and don’t be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm is a golden sun and the sweet silver song of the lark.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart and you’ll never walk alone, you’ll never walk alone.”
The Good News will triumph
Pope Francis, speaking to a group of newly ordained priests compared them to aeroplanes: they make news only when they crash! The News never reports that nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine planes landed safely today. The wonderful contribution of the Church to education, culture, medical care, feeding the hungry, working for justice and peace, etc. is being airbrushed out of history. Jesus tells us not to be afraid. ... See MoreSee Less
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Great work happening in Ards ... See MoreSee Less
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Lord we thank you for the beauty of your Creation. May we always approach it with wonder, awe and respect. #LaudatoSi #stfrancis #capuchin #vocation ... See MoreSee Less
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A busy day around the country for the Friars today. Br Seán and Gofrey on duty at Knock Shrine. Today was also the Brazilian Catholic Community pilgrimage to Knock Shrine accompanied by Br Severino (Dublin) and Br Bernard (Cork).
Br. Antony Kurian concluded the triduum in honour of St Anthony of Padua held in the Capuchin Friary Raheny. Great numbers attended each evening. Br Anthony blesses with the relic of St Anthony of Padua as people.leave the Friary Church. ... See MoreSee Less
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Br. Bryan Shortall OFM Cap blessing the lilies on the feast of St Anthony in Merchant's Quay Church Dublin. Bryan was the main preacher at this year's novena. ... See MoreSee Less
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Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. A beautiful feast in the liturgical calendar. A day for us to emerse ourselves in the burning Love of God manifest in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Love we receive from God we, in turn, are called to radiate into the world. The eternal cry of the soul is simple and heartfelt: O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place ALL my trust in you. (Picture: Stained glass image of the Sacred Heart, Capuchin Friary, Church Street, Dublin 7) ... See MoreSee Less
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The harvest is rich, the labourers are few (Matthew 9:36-10:8)
Today we return to Matthew’s Gospel which is constructed around five great sermons. Firstly, the Sermon on the Mount outlined the masterplan of the kingdom of God. Today’s Reading is from the second sermon, which is the instruction of the apostles.
Jesus always urged us to see what is good in people rather than what is bad. “Blessed are the pure in heart they shall see God.”
Jesus practised what he preached. He had an extraordinary ability, the eye of an artist, to see potential in unlikely people. By the grace of God, Simon Peter, a man with a fiery temper, who once pulled out a sword to slice off the ear of a soldier, was chosen to be the first pope. The brothers, James and John, were known as the Sons of Thunder. Once, they offered to call down fire on a Samaritan town which rejected Jesus. The cheek of these brothers! They did not ask Jesus to call down the fire but they would do it! Yet Jesus saw their potential. James became the first of the apostles to be martyred. John lived longer than the others and became the contemplative who inspired the Gospel of John and other writings. Simon, a nationalist zealot, learned how to work with Matthew, who collected taxes for the despised Romans. An unlikely team became wonderful missionaries.
A motto in advertising is to think globally but act locally. The missionary strategy of Jesus was to work with the small group in the limited area of Galilee and Judea. The mission would extend worldwide after Pentecost.
The harvest is rich, the labourers are few
I was ordained a priest sixty years ago. The first Sunday I faced a congregation, the Gospel was the one we have today. Jesus felt sorry for the congregation because “They were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.” I can still remember a strange feeling when I looked at the congregation. Would my life be for people who are harassed and rejected? “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few.” And we are ageing. Pray earnestly for vocations to the priesthood.
Christ is counting on you (Cursillo motto)
Br. Silvester O'Flynn OFM Cap. (Sunday Reflections) ... See MoreSee Less
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The Friars in the Capuchin Friary Raheny (D05T9E4
) host the annual triduum in honour of St Anthony of Padua and SFO retreat beginning tomorrow evening (11th of June) at 7pm. The main celebrant and preacher this year is Br. Antony Kurian OFM Cap. Br. Antony is the Vicar in Church Street, Vocations Promotor and Co-Mission Secretary. Originally from Kerala in India, Br Antony was ordained a Priest for the Irish Province in 2025. Blessing of lilies on the last night and blessing with the relics of St Anthony and the Franciscan Saints each night. Parking and seats are limited so come early! ... See MoreSee Less
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Three Capuchins taking a cappuccino break in Ards! The Wild Garden Cafe is now open daily for the best coffee and cakes for miles. #ardsfriary #ArdsFriaryBeach #ardsfriarywalk #ardsfriarytrail ... See MoreSee Less
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