Vocation is about becoming who God wants us to be, writes Sr Mary David Totah   You must ask: what does God want from me? It’s not just about ourselves. Vocation can’t leave him out. Many of us have been surprised by our call. And yet we knew that our calling was much bigger than…

While it can be a source of worry for many to think about the future of religion in Ireland, a Dublin conference which gathers young believers from all corners of the island is proving that the Faith is in strong and able hands. The Evangelium project seeks to be a platform to inspire and encourage…

More than 100 pilgrims from a Carlow parish packed their sunscreen and shorts this month as they made their way to France to celebrate camaraderie and Faith. Parishioners of Graiguecullen and Killeshin took part in the 43rd annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, and with the help of parish fundraisers, 30 people with disabilities were also able…

Pilgrims across Ireland will soon be donning their hiking books as they prepare for a 10-day walk to Knock Shrine this month, to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the famous Apparition. Pilgrims will set out from St Mary of the Rosary Church, Nenagh, on August 11, marking the beginning of the 180km walk. The first…

KNOCK NOVENA   In the 19th Century, Knock was typical of the villages dotted around the West of Ireland. It was a small collection of thatched houses and two school houses with the parish church at its centre. On the evening of August 21, 1879, Our Lady appeared at the gable of the church in…

KNOCK NOVENA Chai Brady hears about Knock Shrine’s plans and their 140th anniversary   Cogs are in motion as excitement builds for the 140th anniversary of the Apparition at Ireland’s national Marian shrine in Co. Mayo, with the parish priest of Knock saying it has “come an awful long way” in recent years. Extensive refurbishment…

KNOCK NOVENA   The Novena takes place at 3pm and 8pm each day. Anointing of the Sick at 2.30pm daily.   Wednesday, August 14 John Bruton Theme: Faith, Future and Europe 12pm Seminar John Bruton is a former Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Taoiseach from 1994 to 1997. He was also the EU…

The Irish martyrs deserve to be household names, writes Greg Daly   Last week The Irish Catholic revealed that the sainthood causes of 42 Catholics martyred in Ireland between 1572 and 1655 are at an advanced stage of preparation for being submitted to Rome for consideration by the Holy See. If all goes well, this…

Quentin Broughall reflects on Thomas Merton’s relationship with technology and the internet   Always a thoughtful and perceptive observer, the American monk and mystic Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was keenly aware that humans’ relationship with technology represented something that could draw them closer to God or push them farther away: “When it comes to those taking…

Limerick’s Bishop Brendan Leahy said the union of young and old in peace, reflection and prayer on the annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes was a spiritually enrichening and special experience for all involved. Over 500 pilgrims, including 120 young people from the diocesan youth programme, travelled to Lourdes from Limerick last month. For many of…