In 2024, a grim little piece of research about reading prowess was published by Johns Hopkins Press. It was called, in a masterpiece of understatement, They Don’t Read Very Well: A Study of the Reading Comprehension Skills of English Majors at Two Midwestern Universities. The research was carried out in 2015, before the advent of…
People were terrified, houses were burned, attacked and looted, petrol bombs, masonry and other missiles were hurled at police, writes Baroness Nuala O’Loan There was a palpable feeling of fear around Ballymena for a few days last week. Terrible violence erupted without warning. Those who have come from distant lands to live in the town…
For the outside world, it’s perhaps Pope Leo’s pleas for cease-fires in Gaza and Ukraine that have attracted the most attention since his election just over three weeks ago. For Catholic insiders, all manner of papal acts have generated reaction, from his sartorial touches, his use of sung Latin in public prayer, and even his…
An Italian boy dies of leukaemia at the age of 15. Now Carlo Acutis is canonised because he was particularly pious and socially committed. In addition to enthusiasm, the honour also triggers criticism. The boy in the red polo shirt smiles somewhat shyly into the camera, carrying a rucksack over his shoulders. Carlo Acutis, who…
The commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the death of Matt Talbot, the Dublin man whose journey with alcoholism and life of prayer and penance have made him a symbol of hope for those battling addiction, took place from June 6-8. The first ceremony took place in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Sean McDermott St.…
More than 10,000 pilgrims from across Ireland gathered at the National Marian Shrine in Knock recently to mark the 40th anniversary of the All Ireland Rosary Rally. The rally, rooted in the legacy of Fr Patrick Peyton, whose motto was, “The family that prays together stays together,” was designed as a celebration of prayer and…
The prior of the Augustinian community in Galway and parish priest in St Augustine’s Church on Middle Street, Galway, Fr Anthony Finn (also known as Fr Tony) met Robert Prevost (Pope Leo XIV) on numerous occasions while Prior General of the Augustinian Order (2001 to 2013) visiting Ireland’s Augustinian communities (including Galway) and Fr Finn…
After 12 years of research and tests, a miracle in the district of Kannur in Kerala, India was officially recognised by the Holy See. During Mass in the Christ the King Church, Vilakkannur Parish in 2013, Fr Thomas Pathikal spotted the face of Jesus on the sacramental host. It was officially stated as a miracle…
Aaron Kernan thinks back on his childhood in Crossmaglen, his memories aren’t dominated by the turbulence of The Troubles or the sight of British soldiers patrolling his streets in full combat gear. What he remembers most is football – and faith. Born in 1983, the second of five boys in a tight-knit family, Aaron was…
Released during the sombre hours of Good Friday, Sins of Ireland is the latest film from solicitor-turned-filmmaker Alex Fegan, known for documentaries like The Irish Pub and Older than Ireland. Sixteen years ago, he left the law business to pursue his passion and has never looked back—joking that “the only skill that transferred over was…
Breda O'Brien
Nuala O’Loan
John L. Allen Jr.
Renata Milán Morales