What is marriage actually for?

Companionship, family, security, marriage gives us all of these. But what is God’s plan in designing it this way? We would like to share three principles, each drawn from Sacred Scripture, and each quietly at work in every ordinary marriage, including our own. Marriage is a sign, not just an arrangement St Paul writes in…

‘Better to light a candle than curse the darkness’

‘Better to light a candle than curse the darkness’ Dear Editor, Fr Donal Dorr’s encouraging letter of June 18 urging the forthcoming synodal gathering to look outwards as well as inwards prompts the thought: what a wonderful life-enhancing place the Irish Church could be if we were all to fully embrace synodality in the manner…

The polyhedron of the universal Church

We cannot forget the ecumenical dimension of our synodal dialogue, says Cardinal Mario Grech For almost five years we have reflected on and worked on synodality. Much has been accomplished, and much has matured in the heart of the Church. Indeed, never before has a synodal process generated such momentum, such gravitas. One need only…

Irish Bishops launch Vocations Monstrance blessed by Pope Leo

Irish bishops formally launched a new monstrance at a special prayer gathering at the International Eucharistic and Marian shrine in Knock, Co. Mayo. Following the recent launch, Bishop Phonsie Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore, who chairs the Bishops’ Council for Vocations, highlighted the central role of prayer in nurturing vocations: “The Holy Father Pope Leo…