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Irish Capuchin Franciscans

15 hours ago

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

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

1 day ago

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

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

1 day ago

Upcoming in St Francis of Assisi Parish, Priorswood on Friday 3rd of July. All are welcome. ... See MoreSee Less

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

4 days ago

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

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

5 days ago

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

Irish Capuchin Franciscans

2 weeks ago

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