Lourdes: 160 years of healing In our modern day, the word ‘Lourdes’ often evokes imagery of the Virgin Mary’s apparitions, but the historical, geographical and social context is usually excluded from the imagination. What exactly is the history of the place where a young Bernadette Soubirous experienced the Marian visions and how did the…
Lourdes: 160 years of healing Colm Fitzpatrick explores the short and remarkable life of St Bernadette A quirky and curious pub question that may raise a few eyebrows is: “Who is the first saint to be photographed?” The answer, believe it or not, is St Bernadette Soubirous, the renowned visionary of Lourdes, whose picture was…
The people of South Sudan need Ireland’s help, writes Colm Fitzpatrick With poverty, hunger and fear still rampant in war-torn South Sudan, a lay missionary is calling on all Irish people for support. Noeleen Loughran, who originally hails from the small village of Emyvale, Co. Monaghan, now helps suffering children in Africa, having sold…
In a rare new letter penned by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the retired pontiff said he is in the last phase of his life, and while his physical strength might be waning, he is surrounded by a “love and goodness” that he never imagined. “I can only say that at the end of a slow…
Ahead of the referendum on the Eighth Amendment, Limerick’s Bishop Brendan Leahy has penned a letter to his diocese promoting respect for human life. In his letter, which was read at all of the Masses in the Diocese of Limerick over the weekend of February 3-4, Bishop Leahy acknowledged the difficult task in speaking about…
With at least six people dead after a deadly earthquake and series of aftershocks in Taiwan, Pope Francis has sent a telegram assuring of his prayer for the victims and those engaged in rescue efforts. Signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and addressed to Bishop Philip Huang Chao-ming of Hwalien, the February…
People should be willing to “open their hearts and minds” to Scripture readings at Mass said Pope Francis, because it allows us to hear God directly speak to his people. Continuing his series of audience talks about Mass, Pope Francis spoke today about the Liturgy of the Word and the importance of listening to the…
The Pro Life Campaign has said that the Government’s decision on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution is “as bad as anyone could have envisaged: the removal of legal protection from unborn babies and providing for abortion on demand”. On Monday, the Government announced plans to hold a referendum in late May asking citizens whether…
Colm Fitzpatrick explores relationship abuse in Ireland With 40% of those women who experience domestic violence first experiencing it during pregnancy or soon after childbirth, it is clear that relationship abuse is a crisis in Ireland. Domestic violence appears in many shapes and sizes which can range from verbal and emotional abuse to sexual…
Youth Space ‘Cathy’ describes the transformative powers of a Dublin Catholic Youth Group The ‘Transformer: Life in the Spirit’ seminar was an absolutely incredible experience. From the moment I walked through the door there was a most beautiful sense of welcome, joy and peace. As I entered the large spacious room jam-packed with young…