This week, I conclude the triduum of reflections on saints who were centrally involved in the events of Jesus’s death and resurrection. This week we focus on St John, also known as the Beloved Disciple. This term was not given to John by anyone but himself in the Gospel that bears his name. John is…
Readings: * Acts 2:42-47 * 1 Peter 1:3-9 * John 20:19-31 The Sunday Gospel There are moments in the Gospel when everything quietly shifts—when the familiar world of the disciples is overturned by an event so decisive that it can no longer be ignored. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is such a moment.…
Holy Week tends to get the mainstream broadcasters to turn their minds to matters religious, with some excellent results this year. Oliver Callan (RTÉ Radio 1, Wednesday) had entertainment journalist Olivia Fahy discussing how Christ has been depicted in film. It was respectful, but chirpy, with lots of laughter, which didn’t quite suit the topic.…
John 20:19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” John 20:20 After he said this, he showed them his…
Many musical personages told lies at the beginning of their careers. Bob Dylan would have had people believe he jumped trains with Woody Guthrie. Nadine Coyle used “creative mathematics” about her age to get onto a pop show when she was 16. Louis Walsh made up stories every other day to propel Boyzone into the…
Recently, I had the privilege of leading a retreat for English-speaking priests in Assisi during a particularly significant Jubilee year for followers of St Francis. This year marks the 800th anniversary of his death at the Portiuncula, the small chapel at the heart of the first Franciscan community. St Francis died there on the evening…
The Madness: A Memoir of War, Fear and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, by Fergal Keane (William Collins, £10.99) Fergal Keane was born in London on January 6, 1961. His father, Eamon, was a professional actor, and his mother also “trod the boards”. He is a nephew of John B. Keane, the playwright. In his…
Exhibition in The Long Room, Trinity College Library, open now, continuing to June 30, 2026. For details, visit visittrinity.ie/book-of-kells-experience. Entrance charge. Booking essential; visit tcd.ie/visitors/. Character is Better than Wealth: The Enduring Legacy of Michael Davitt’ is the broad title of an exhibition currently on display in the Long Room of Trinity College Library. Drawing on…
Rory O’Connor: To Defend the Republic, by Gerard Shannon (Merrion Press €19.99 / £17.50) Rory O’Connor was the leading Republican combatant in the Four Courts in the opening stage of the Civil War in April 1922, yet has had to wait for over 100 years to have a proper biography. He was often described…
An African St Peter’s Basilica, a country with no Christians but with voodoo… In Africa, religion and faith play a central role in everyday life. It is a continent of superlatives. At last: Africa has had to wait a long time for a papal visit. Three years ago, at the start of 2023, Pope Francis…
Fr Dominik Domagala
Brendan O’Regan
Aubrey Malone
Peter Costello