You could be as wealthy as a king – yet miserable – if you have no friends. Or you could be as poor as dirt – yet happy – because you’re surrounded by loved ones. And what personal relationship could be more important than the relationship with God? The saints gave witness to this reality.…
In the early Church, after the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, and having reflected at length on his parables, miracles, suffering and death, the focus of the debate about him moved from what Jesus did to who Jesus was. This conversation was not without pain and controversy. Positions on Jesus’ identity moved between two extreme…
“Peace comes when we put the pieces within us together to make a beautiful melody”, writes Fr Ron Rolheiser Catherine de Hueck Doherty, the founder of Madonna House, once gave a particularly insightful interview. She acknowledged that her path wasn’t easy, that she had her fair share of inner struggles. Why? Because, like the rest…
Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who has served as archbishop of Munich and Freising in Germany since 2008, has instructed the priests and full-time pastoral staff in the archdiocese to introduce the controversial handout “Blessing Gives Strength to Love” as the basis of pastoral care. Priests who do not want to carry out such blessing celebrations for…
The big event in Ireland in recent days has been the release by the National Archives of the online version of the digitalised forms filled in by every household in the country on April 18, 1926 forming the first census since 1911, a census which now presents us with a picture of the then Irish…
Q: Is it ever acceptable to say something other than “amen” when receiving Communion? Would “thank you,” “he’s alive” or even “hallelujah!” ever work? A: The short answer is no, the one and only appropriate response when receiving holy Communion is to say “amen” after the priest or Eucharistic minister says “the body of Christ.”…
As the championship rumbles into full gear, the provinces of Leinster and Munster have taken centre stage in the Irish summer of hurling. Galway have already underlined Kilkenny’s vulnerabilities, while Offaly have shown they are more than capable of having a say in the province’s affairs this season. Further south, Munster has offered its usual…
Last year’s dual canonisation of St Pier Giorgio Frassati and St Carlo Acutis was of particular significance to young Catholics. Understandably, there was noticeable interest in the ‘patron saint of the Internet’ Carlo Acutis, given his status as the first millennial to be canonised. Yet the life and legacy of Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925) also…
Questions around an emerging trend and the rise of an ‘evangelical Catholicism’ emerged during a roundtable discussion on the changing patterns of Catholic practice across the island of Ireland. The event, hosted by the Marino Institute of Education on Monday on April 27, brought together representatives from Catholic school trusts, patrons, and management bodies and…
Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 32 (33); 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12 I am the way, and the truth, and the life — no one comes to the Father except through me John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:2 In my Father’s house there are many…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser
Peter Costello