People of the Year award for Brother Kevin
Last night at a glitzy event in City West Hotel, Brother Kevin was one of the recipients of the 2016 People of the Year Award. Recognising the contribution of Brother Kevin and the Day Centre for over four decades, Grainne Seoige, host of the event, said ‘Brother Kevin,after 40 years, it’s about time!’ On behalf…
Statement on The Pearse Surrender Letter
The following is a copy of a letter sent by the Provincial Minister to the Irish Times on Nov 30th, only one line of which was quoted by them in an article in the Irish Times today (03 December 2016). They did not publish the letter itself. The main point of the Provincial Minister’s…
Franciscan Prayer Podcast: Episode 1 St Francis and the Franciscan Image of God
Recorded live in the College chapel of St Francis College, Rochestown, Brother Martin Bennett (Vocation Promoter and Chaplain to St Francis College) leads us in the first of four Advent reflections on Franciscan prayer.
Ecology in action at Ard Mhuire
For many years the walled garden at Ard Mhuire was unattended, originally the Kitchen Garden of the Ards Estate the friars now host the Ards Friary Organic Community Garden and Allotments here. Nearly 40 people have taken plots to cultivate, and a program of organic gardening education takes place throughout the year. It is hoped…
Ard Mhuire marks 50 years
Our beautiful friary and retreat centre in Ards is 50 years old! While the Friars were here since the 1930’s, the new house that you see today was opened on the13th of November 1966. This evening at 5:30 we celebrate a Mass to begin a year of thanksgiving for all of the Friars and people who…
The International Capuchin Fraternity in Kilkenny
This year saw a new departure for our Friary in Kilkenny. It has been designated as one of a small number of ‘International Fraternities’ by our General Minister, Brother Mauro. What does this mean? Well, in simple terms it means that the fraternity in Kilkenny has been strengthened and enhanced by Friars from other European…
EWTN in Ard Mhuire Retreat Centre
Last week the community of Ard Mhuire were delighted to welcome scripture scholar Frances Hogan along with an film crew from EWTN who came to record a five day scriptural retreat due to be broadcast later this year. Set on over 250 acres of woodland with its own beeches and coves, Ards is…
Feast of St Francis
Yesterday the Feast of St Francis was celebrated around the world. Even after almost 800 years, this man continues to ignite imaginations and stir the spirits of all who come into contact with him. His approach to serving the poor in humility and faith was both counter-cultural and revolutionary. We pray that the example…
Remembering our deceased Capuchin Brothers
Today in the Capuchin world we remember our deceased brothers, sisters, benefactors, relatives and friends. We pray in thanksgiving for those gone before us and we remember the contribution they made to brining the Message of Christ to the world. May they rest in peace.
We wish our brother well as he begins this new ministry in service of the Church. ... See MoreSee Less
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Today we celebrate the Queenship of Our Blessed Mother, Queen of Heaven and Earth. This is also the day that we Capuchins take up our new assignments. We ask you to keep us in your prayers. We pray for all our communities in Ireland who may be welcoming or saying goodbye to Friars today. Pictured is Br Dermot Lynch who says slán go fóill to Knock as he takes up his new appointment in Holy Trinity, Cork. We wish all our brothers every blessing. ... See MoreSee Less
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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
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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
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Would be hard to put this reflection on the Our Father any better than this: God will you use us as part of the answer? ... See MoreSee Less
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Today is the anniversary of the ordination of Padre Pio. He was ordained Priest on the 10th of August 1910 in the Cathedral of Benvento, Italy by Archbishop Paolo Schinosi. #prayhopeanddontworry vocations@capuchins.ie ... See MoreSee Less
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Brother Antony Bibin Kurian helping out at the Vocations Ireland stand at the Youth 2000 Summer Retreat in New bridge College. ... See MoreSee Less
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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,
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Today we celebrate the Feast of our Holy Father St Dominic. Greetings to all our Dominican Sisters and Brothers. Here's a little more about his life thanks to Franciscan Media's - Saint of the Day: Saint Dominic | Franciscan Media ... See MoreSee Less
Saint Dominic | Franciscan Media
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Saint Dominic became aware that the preacher had to practice what he preached and connect with the people of God. He and a few Cistercians formed what was the beginning of the Order of Preachers, bett...0 CommentsComment on Facebook