Lights on again at Mount Melleray as 300 students apply

More than 300 students have applied for places at a proposed study-abroad programme at Mount Melleray Abbey, signalling growing momentum behind plans that supporters say could bring new life to the historic Cistercian Monastery. The initiative, led by Florida-based Catholic institution Ave Maria University, would see up to 100 students per semester study at the…

Joy and Hope at the Divine Mercy Conference

Thousands gathered at the RDS this past weekend for the 35th Divine Mercy Conference, as pilgrims and faithful from across Ireland and abroad came together for prayer, worship and reflection on this year’s theme – ‘This is my Body… this is my Blood, given up for you’. The annual gathering brought together families, young people…

Faith alive at the Divine Mercy Conference

Thousands gathered at the RDS in Dublin this weekend for the 35th Divine Mercy Conference, joining in prayer, worship and reflection under this year’s theme, ‘This is my Body… this is my Blood, given up for you’. Attendees travelled from across Ireland and abroad for a programme of Mass, Eucharistic adoration, music and talks centred…

Inside Ave Maria’s plans for Mount Melleray

It was lashing across the Knockmealdown Mountains as we drove up the winding road to Mount Melleray. But as the car pulled into the gravel courtyard, the sky began to clear. The grey lifted, and there before us stood the great church against the wide Waterford landscape. For nearly two centuries, the monastery had been…

Ukrainian community in Dublin marks four years of war with evening of memory and prayer

The Ukrainian Catholic community in Dublin gathered on February 21 for an evening of remembrance and prayer, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Clergy, diplomats, veterans and representatives of Ukrainian organisations in Ireland were among those present, alongside members of the wider community. The evening began with a procession, followed by…

The cry of the earth amid the cries of war

Dr Hugo Slim says humanitarian action must protect both people and the world they depend on There is a painting by Francisco Goya entitled ‘Fight with Cudgels’. Two men furiously swing at each other in desperate concentration, locked in combat, yet they are unaware that they are both sinking into the same ground beneath them.…