Good Shepherd Sunday: Vocations Sunday
Good Shepherd Sunday: Today, the fourth Sunday of Easter, we proclaim the Gospel of the Good Shepherd. Often called Vocations Sunday, we traditionally pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life on this day; but it is important to recognize that for Christians to pray for an increase of Vocations is…
Dawn Chorus: A decaf moment to pause and give thanks
Yesterday, sunshine. Today, rain. We grumble. But, in the friary garden, regardless of outer change and, aware only of its own purpose in this very moment, the Blackbird still sings merrily his psalm of blessing at dawn and dusk.
St. Fidelis: The Faithful Witness
Another day another sainted Capuchin! Today we celebrate our first martyr: Brother Fidelis; a name which means “faithful one”, given to him at his reception into the order by his superior who in so doing quoted the words of the book of revelation, “Be faithful into death and I will give you the crown of…
St. Conrad of Parzham: Becoming a saint through the little things
Today we Capuchins keep the feast of a very special spiritual master and saint of our order, Brother Conrad of Parzham. He was the porter (receptionist) in the friary of Altotting in Germany for nearly all of his life. Answering the door to all those who came for advice, he was sought out for healing…
Launch of new book on Holy Trinity Church in Cork
A new book on the history, architecture and artistic contribution of our friary church of the Most Holy Trinity in Cork was recently launched by its author Patricia Curtin-Kelly at Holy Trinity Friary. Entitled “An Ornament to the City: Holy Trnity Church and the Capuchin Order” It covers the planning of Holy Trinity…
PODCAST: Professor John McCafferty UCD on Fr. Nicholas Archbold 1588-1650
Below you will find a link to a podcast of a lecture by Professor John McCafferty, Department of History, University College Dublin, titled: ‘A single witness: Ireland and Europe through the eyes of a small man with a big nose’. The audio of John’s talk can be heard at: http://historyhub.ie/john-mccafferty-ireland-europe His paper examines two manuscripts…
Easter Saturday: Greeting Our Lady as the Faithful & First Witness.
For Easter Saturday: The Ancient chant of the Regina Coeli, sung to greet Mary and praise her for her faith that never failed throughout the Passion and Death of her Son, and to announce the joy of the Resurrection received first by Mary and then by the rest of creation. Enjoy its peace and blessing…
Awakening Wonder: Weds 15th April An Open Evening of Mindfulness and Meditation
Awakening Wonder: The Sanctuary’s annual open evening of Mindfulness, Meditation, Spirituality, Movement and Creativity takes place this coming Weds the 15th of April in our Capuchin Friary of Church St., Dublin 7 (Just off the Smithfield Luas Stop). Beginning at 8:15pm, until 9:45pm! This is a donation only event and all are welcome! Come along…
Easter Greetings and Reflection: Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
We hope that you and yours are enjoying the celebration of Easter! Christ is risen as He said! Alleluia! Alleluia! For those who have the time to reflect on the meaning of this greatest of Feasts there follows the text of the sermon given at the Easter Vigil this year in our friary in Church…
Well done to all the team in Ards Capuchin Friary and Centre for the Care of Creation. For more information visit their webiste: www.ardsfriary.ie ... See MoreSee Less
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Today we clebrate the feast day of St Clare of Assisi. We extend our good wishes to all the Poor Clares around the World as we honour their founder. St Clare of Assisi, pray for us.
Listen to the story of St Clare: www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-clare-of-assisi/?utm_campaign=New%20Newsletter%202... ... See MoreSee Less
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Follow the excellent new blog from the Capuchins at Knock Shrine. Well done to all involved: ... See MoreSee Less
Capuchins in Knock
capsinknock.com
A blog from the Capuchin Franciscans at Knock Shrine — life, ministry and reflections from the friary.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Loneliness, Hunger of the Heart (Matt 14:13-21)
When Jesus received the news of the death of his cousin, John the Baptist, he withdrew by boat with the apostles to a lonely place where they could be by themselves.
Another name for loneliness is the hunger of the heart. A popular film years ago was called “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.” One cause of loneliness is the emptiness experienced after the death of a loved one. Even Jesus felt the need to cope with this emptiness. A person who is grieving needs time and space. Different people deal with grief in different ways. In the weeks after the funeral, many people will be very tired physically, emotionally and spiritually. One may not have the emotional energy to pray. It is important to let them know that you are praying for them. Pray also for the discernment to know when to accompany the person grieving and when to let the person have time alone.
A lonely place
The quietness that Jesus sought did not last for long. People soon found out where he was and flocked there. Out of pity for them he set aside his own need and attended to their needs. Hours slipped by and the disciples were concerned because the people had not brought food. It is interesting that the apostles did not say to Jesus that this is a hungry place but that this is a lonely place. They had touched on the inner hunger of the heart, loneliness.
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta was shocked when her Sisters of Charity went to serve in a poor area of New York. In Calcutta, the Sisters ministered to the dying and fed hundreds of hungry people every day. But in New York they were confronted by the hunger of loneliness felt by deserted old people. This is how Mother Teresa described it: “The worst disease is not leprosy; it is being unwanted, being left out, being forgotten. The greatest scourge is to forget the next person, to be so suffocated with the things we have that we have no time for the lonely Jesus – even a person in our own family who needs us.”
In today’s Second Reading Saint Paul writes: “Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food.. ... See MoreSee Less
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Upcoming in Church Street ... See MoreSee Less
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Our Provincial Minister, Br. Richard shares a reflection on his time in Zambia. Please pray for.our brothers in Zambia and the returned missionaries in Ireland. ... See MoreSee Less
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Treasure in the Heart (Matt. 13:44-52)
In today’s gospel Jesus continues the seven parables about the kingdom of heaven in our lives. What is this kingdom? In the gospels, the kingdom of heaven has several different shades of meaning. In today’s parables it refers to the hidden treasure in the heart. “The kingdom of God is within you.” It is the realization that God is not only up there but is also in here, in my heart and soul. That is what Pope Francis called the joy of the gospel, the joy of a personal relationship with Jesus. “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness”. Inner emptiness is no longer a lonely place: rather, it is space for enjoying the nearness of God in a personal relationship.
This inner joy is described in the parable of a hidden treasure that someone unexpectedly discovered in a field. He goes off, sells everything he owns and buys the field. The discovery represents a totally unanticipated experience that brings about a sudden conversion, a new awareness of God as present in one’s life. It is like a new birth and some people refer to the experience as being born again.
For others the experience is like that of a merchant who was searching for a very valuable pearl. He also sells all he owns to buy this pearl. These are the people who spent time reading and studying, or exploring various philosophies of life until eventually they found Jesus and all that he means. Whether it comes in a sudden conversion experience, or as the result of much study and searching, they hold on to this treasure at any cost. The cost of discipleship usually involves repentance in the sense of a conversion of thought, values and behaviour.
A Church of all sorts
The seventh and last of the parables describes the kingdom as a fishing net dragging in a mixture of many kinds of fish. This refers to the catholic dimension of the kingdom since the word catholic means all-embracing. There is room for all sorts: for those who focus on conserving the past side-by-side with those who are impatient for change. ... See MoreSee Less
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Saints come in all shapes and sizes. The Capuchin Order has over 100 saints and blesseds recognised by the Church. Some years ago Irish Capuchin Friar, Br Owen, compiled a compendium of our Saints and Blesseds (some of the more recent ones will not be on this list). He outlines the life and vocation of each.
As Capuchin Friars we draw much encouragement, guidance and inspiration from our saintly brothers. They share the same vocation as us and we can learn much from them and how they responded to God's call in their lives. You can read Br Owen's account of their lives by copying this website address to your preferred broweser:
capuchin_saints_and_blesseds.pdf share.google/nuRRnRIOOF6LLshWi ... See MoreSee Less
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Our Provincial Minister, Br. Richard, is currently on visitation with the brothers in the Custody of Zambia. Today he met the newly received Novices and tomorrow Br Richard preseides at the celebration of seven first professions and four Solemn in St. Bonaventure’s, Lusaka.
Please keep the brothers in your prayers. ... See MoreSee Less
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