News

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

2 weeks ago

A message from Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell:

Unprovoked attacks on members of the Indian community in Dublin
Statement of Archbishop Dermot Farrell

August 11, 2025

Recent attacks on members of the Indian community in Dublin have been truly shocking. These unprovoked attacks on people, including a child, who were apparently targeted solely because of their ethnic identity have generated understandable fear and alarm among the Indian community.

The truth is that the Indian community in Dublin comprises many people who have come to Dublin to make an important and valued contribution to our society. We are all familiar with the vital presence of Indian professionals in our healthcare system, without whom many healthcare needs simply could not be met. Others apply their skills in other important sectors of the economy and also contribute to funding public services through their taxes.

It is not only through their work lives that our Indian neighbours and fellow citizens are enriching our society. The diversity of Indian culture and traditions add to the vitality of life in Dublin. In particular, many Indian families are playing an increasingly prominent role in the parishes and school communities of the Archdiocese of Dublin. Indian priests, religious and lay volunteers are an increasingly important presence in the pastoral life of the Church in Dublin. That gives the lie to the vile and blasphemous claims of some who spread the poison of racial hatred on social media and otherwise that their views are somehow protecting Christianity.

It is time to call out those who peddle racial hatred. It is time to stand up to those who seek to divide our community through rumour and malice. Our parishes and school communities have already given a warm welcome to Indian families who have made their homes here. I urge them to strengthen that spirit of solidarity, not only with Indian members of parish communities, but with all our Indian neighbours. I call on everyone to support the Gardaí in every way to confront and defeat those whose actions have contributed to the fear now being experienced in the Indian community in Dublin.

Dermot Farrell
Archbishop of Dublin ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

2 weeks ago

Today we celebrate the feast of St Clare of Assisi. We offer our blessings to the Poor Cleares, Sisters of St Clare and all who follow her path. You can find out more about the life and Spirituality of St Clare thanks to Franciscan Media:

Saint Clare of Assisi | Franciscan Media share.google/eU0jePNoqNQQzkML3 ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

3 weeks ago

Brother Antony Bibin Kurian helping out at the Vocations Ireland stand at the Youth 2000 Summer Retreat in New bridge College. ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

3 weeks ago

Around this time 17 years ago I began as a Postulant with the Irish Capuchin Franciscan Friars. I took a years career break from my job in financial services to try it out. For nearly two years before the moment captured here, I had been trying to figure out what God was asking of me.

When I was younger, I had a great desire to be a priest however over time this desire seemed to move to the background. The death and funeral of St John Paul ll had a deep affect on me in a very unexpected way. Like so many others I was glued to the TV coverage. As I watched the crowds gathered in St Peters, those old familiar feelings and desires about priesthood began to come to the fore and really caught me by surprise. I had a life beyond all that, where was this coming from? It's often strange what ignites, or reignites, the spark of faith and vocation. This time, the feelings didn't go away. So over time I plucked up the courage to send an email to a group of men called the Capuchins. I discovered their website while sifting through the various religious orders on the Vocations Ireland site.

Why these men and not a different group? Well, there was something about them that seemed to draw me to them. I'd never met one of them at this stage and I'd never been to a Capuchin church or friary. However, the images of them in their habits, the way in which they seemed to bring the message of St Francis alive in the ordinary things of life and their commitment to be men of prayer, really attracted me. To cut a long story very short - 17 years later I'm the Guardian of that Friary I which received that Tau Cross (The Tau Cross is an ancient Franciscan symbol worn by all Franciscans. It reminds us of our call to be living witnesses to the Gospel and it was used by St Francis as his signature). Each day is an opportunity to figure out what God asks of us.The big difference between then and now is that each day I now discern the Will of God together with my Capuchin brothers, as brothers of St Francis.

I just wanted to share this short memory from Facebook and a little of its background story. You never know how the Lord might use it to ignite the flame of vocation and faith in someone reading it. If you'd like to get in touch to find out more about the Capuchin Franciscan vocation, email vocations@capuchins.ie.

Peace,

Br. Martin ... See MoreSee Less