Safeguarding Invitation
We the Capuchin Franciscans would like to renew our invitation to anyone who has been harmed, in any way, by a member of our Order to come forward and report their experience. Further to RTÉ’s documentary ‘Leathered’ which aired on the 30th of October 2024, we want to specifically reach out to those who may have…
Br Sean Cahill OFM Cap
We regret to announce the death of our brother, Sean Cahill, of the Custody of South Africa. Br Sean died after celebrating the 10 a.m. Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in the parish of Parow of the Archdiocese of Cape Town, where he was the Assistant Priest, on Sunday 15th September 2024. …
Br Alexius Healy OFM Cap
We recently laid to rest Br Alexius Healy ages 97. Alexius was a well-known preacher especially at Parish missions and retreats throughout the country. He died in the excellent of Nazareth House Nursing Home in Dublin. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Newly elected Delegate and Councillors for Great Britain
Over the last week the Friars in Great Britain gathered for their three yearly chapter. This is an opportunity for the brothers to reflect on their life and ministry as Capuchin Friars. At the meeting a new leadership team is elected. Pictured here are Br. Gordon Pesterfield (2nd Councillor), Br Seán Kelly (Provincial Minister of…
Fr Anthony Boran OFM Cap
Last week we laid to rest out dear brother, Anthony. Here is a short reflection on a long life, well lived. May he rest in peace. Amen. Remembering Brother Anthony Boran OFM Cap Br Anthony was born in Clogh, Co. Kilkenny on 22nd May 1923, the son of Peter and Margaret (Darcy) and was…
The Ordination of Br Antony – A day of hope.
Br Antony Kurian OFM Cap was ordained Deacon by Archbishop Dermot Farrell in St Mary of the Angels Capuchin Church Dublin on Sunday 28th of January 2024. In his homily, Archbishop Farrell spoke of this day being ‘a day of hope’. He said that ‘any day you make a significant commitment is a day of…
Diaconate Ordination – Br Antony Kurian OFM Cap
Brother Antony Kurian will be ordained Deacon in St Mary of the Angels Church Street at 11.30M this morning by Archbishop Dermot Farrell. This is our first ordination since 2016. We wish Antony every blessing in his ministry.
Newly elected Custos and Council in South Korea
Congratulations to the newly elected Custos and his Council in South Korea. Left to Right: Br.Patrick Kelleher (2nd Counsellor). Br.Francis Mary Hang (1st Counsellor). Br. Stephano Kim (Custos). Br. Seán Kelly (Provincial Minister).
Michael Murphy OFM Cap. RIP
We regret to announce the death of our Capuchin Confrere Fr Michael Murphy OFM Cap. Full fuenral details here : https://rip.ie/death-notice/fr-michael-patrick-murphy-ofm-cap-kilkenny-kilkenny-city-541319 Michael’s funeral can be viewed at www.memoriallane.ie/livestream
Today is the feast of St Thomas the Apostle and also the 498th birthday of the Capuchin Franciscan Order. The Capuchin Order is a reform within the Franciscan Movement which was recognised by the Pope Clement VII on the 3rd of July 1528 with the papal bull Religionis Zelus. For more information on the Capuchin Franciscan way of life and vocation, visit www.capuchinfranciscans.ie ... See MoreSee Less
18 CommentsComment on Facebook
Br. Richard Hendrick OFM Cap, Provincial Minister, blesses the newly installed memorial in remembrance of Br Kevin Crowley in the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People, Dublin. The memorial comprises of the icon of St Francis of Assisi presented to the Day Centre by Pope Francis on his visit there in 2018 as well as a black and white photo of Br. Kevin Crowley, founder of the Capuchin Day Centre who died on the 2nd of July 2025. Many congratulations to all involved and sincere thanks to the very generous donor. ... See MoreSee Less
72 CommentsComment on Facebook
Two events for tomorrow's First Friday. All are welcome ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
This evening we remember Br Kevin Crowley OFM Cap on his first anniversary. Mass at 7.30pm in St Mary of the Angels Capuchin Church, Church Street, Dublin 7. ... See MoreSee Less
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
Tomorrow evening (02 July 2026), we remember Br Kevin Crowley OFM Cap on the occasion of his first anniversary. Mass at 7.30pm in Church Street. ... See MoreSee Less
44 CommentsComment on Facebook
Upcoming in St Francis of Assisi Parish, Priorswood on Friday 3rd of July. All are welcome. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
All are welcome for a time of reflection, adoration and prayer in the Sacred Heart Hall, Capuchin Friary, Church Street Dublin 7. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Preparing the Apostles (Matt 10:37-42)
Jesus prepared his apostles to carry on his mission after his departure. But it would be costly at times. Sometimes great personal sacrifices would have to be made. One might be called to leave family comforts. He described it as taking up your cross to follow him. He spoke of losing your life in order to find its real meaning and value. That means breaking out of the shell of self-centeredness. Pope Francis warned us of the temptation to have a privatized prayer-life which is insensitive to the needs of others. So heavenly-minded that one is no earthly good!
We live in the computer age when people have become very me-centred. Programmes of self-development are very helpful but for many people this focus on self has done nothing to improve their awareness of others. Years ago, I read in a criticism of Indian meditation that five thousand years of meditation did not plough a single field. At that very time, Mother Teresa of Calcutta had begun her apostolate for the poor in India. Her meditation was Christ-centred and this was the source of her service to the poor. The message of today’s Gospel is that the mission of the Apostles would not be easy but it would bring a great reward. It reminds me of the Tipperary farmer who was very generous to any special collection taken in the parish. The Parish Priest visited him one day to thank him for his wonderful generosity. “It’s no bother, Father. God has a bigger shovel!”
Peter and Paul
Tomorrow, Monday, will be the Solemnity of two great apostles, Peter and Paul. Both of them described Christian life as following Christ in his cross and resurrection.
Peter tells us, “In so far as you share in the sufferings of Christ, be glad, so that you may enjoy a much greater gladness when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter: 13). The earthly life of Jesus did not end on the Cross but in his Resurrection.
Paul, in his Letters, tells us in many texts that Christian life is sharing in the death and resurrection of the Lord. Paul was suffering the life of a prisoner when he wrote, “May I come to know him and the power of his resurrection, and partake of his sufferings" ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
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
4 CommentsComment on Facebook