St Joseph’s Church in Carrickmacross has sustained the people and witnessed two centuries of dramatic history in the area, Bishop Liam MacDaid has said during a Mass on Sunday, August 7, to mark the 150th anniversary of the church’s consecration. Work began on the south Monaghan church in July 1861, with the gothic building, designed…

Reflections on a man whose legacy transcends his iconic role on Bloody Sunday

Daily Diary   Martin Bennett    OFM Cap. July 27 World Youth Day is best described in terms of colours than anything else. As the thunder rolled over Krakow almost a million pilgrims pulled on their ponchos, turning the city into a living and breathing rainbow of yellows, blues and reds. The green of Ireland…

July 29 As we reach the halfway point, blisters have now entered the language of our WYD pilgrimage! In many ways today, Friday, was a very special day. Pope Francis showed the world the power of silent presence as he visited the former Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz. During this visit he said nothing and…

The ancient pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick has an enduring appeal, writes Rachel Beard

For many of the more than 1,500 Irish pilgrims who joined over two million others in celebrating World Youth Day with Pope Francis in Krakow, preparations for the festival began many months ago while the gathering in Poland began with a week in a local diocese. After time spent with ordinary Poles, World Youth Day…