These are unprecedented times and prayer is needed now more than ever to carry humanity over the threshold of this darkness. Churches have been closed to dissuade congregations from gathering and spreading Covid-19, a novel coronavirus now known to affect the elderly and those with underlying health conditions severely. Masses have been restricted or outright…
A bishop in Derry has warned that Lent may last “longer than expected” due to the coronavirus, but says it can be a “great time of grace” during his homily this week. “Faith gives us an insight into difficulties that doesn’t come from economists or doctors,” said Bishop Donal McKeown in Saint Eugene’s Cathedral on…
In the year 304, the Emperor Diocletian forbade Christians – on pain of death – from possessing the Scriptures, from gathering on Sundays to celebrate the Eucharist and from building places in which to hold their assemblies. In Abitene, a small village in present-day Tunisia, 49 Christians were taken by surprise one Sunday while they…
Public Masses in Ireland with more than 100 people will not go ahead in coming weeks, according to latest Church regulations. However, some smaller Masses may continue during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic if the congregation is limited to fewer than 100 people. But, the Church has announced that all Irish Catholics have been dispensed from…
Archbishop Eamon Martin has called on Irish people who are anxious or frightened by the coronavirus outbreak to pray St Patrick’s famous breastplate prayer. He said this is to remember those who have contracted coronavirus and health care workers “who are bravely and selflessly” caring for them. The archbishop said that “these days I find…
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks is one of the foremost religious thinkers in the English-speaking world. Yet, he wears his considerable depth lightly. When we meet in his home in the London suburb of Golders Green, he is warm and hospitable. The first thing one notices in the house is the enormous dining table. Meals and table…
Murillo: The Prodigal Son Restored text by Aoife Brady and Muirne Lydon, with an introduction by Sean Rainbird (National Gallery of Ireland, €19.95) Murillo: the Prodigal Son Restored Exhibition, National Gallery of Ireland, Hugh Lane Room (Room 31), runs to 30 August 2020. Free entry The National Gallery since its foundation has been…
All public Masses and liturgical celebrations in Italy have been suspended until April 3 following an announcement by the Italian bishops’ conference at the weekend. On March 8 the country’s bishops postponed all religious activities amid growing fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, after the Italian government ordered the closure of all schools, cinemas, museums, gyms…
Leah Darrow, once an America’s Next Top Model contestant (2004), looks beyond physical beauty in an extract from her new book. My decision to audition for America’s Next Top Model wasn’t exactly well thought out. In fact, I had only watched a few minutes of the previous cycle before I decided to audition in St…
A 12-year-old boy from Co Tyrone has collected over 400 chocolate Easter eggs for sick children in hospital. Corin Kelly Herron, from Strabane began collecting eggs several weeks ago, his mother Nadine Kelly said: “It started off he was happy to get 30 eggs for a children’s ward in Derry.” He has now collected over…
Michael Kelly
Chai Brady
Peter Costello