Month: August 2024

Thousands climb Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday

Thousands of pilgrims from throughout the country climbed to the top of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s ‘Holy Mountain’ in Co. Mayo last Sunday for the annual pilgrimage ‘Reek Sunday’. The event saw people from all ages ascending the rocky paths on the 765 metres mountain. Traditionally, Reek Sunday is celebrated on the last Sunday of July.…

Our call to continue writing Sacred history

We each have a purpose given to us, writes Katie Fillion I was recently attending a formation course for catechists aimed at working with children between 6-9 years old. One theme that we focused on was the child’s growing capacity for understanding time and history. In the same way that they can remember events from…

The troubled politics of the United States

Democracy and solidarity: On the cultural roots of America’s political crisis James Davison Hunter (Yale University Press,  £30.00 / €36..00 / US$40.00 ) Some years ago, three married couples from Texas, USA, contacted us. They were touring Ireland in pursuit of their ancestors. They thought that we might be a branch of one of their family’s…

Dublin-born monsignor appointed archbishop-elect

Pope Francis has appointed a Dublin diocesan priest as an Archbishop-elect. Monsignor John Kennedy is currently Secretary of the Disciplinary Section of the Dicastery for the Congregation of the Faith at the Vatican. The body has a Doctrinal and Disciplinary section each coordinated by a Secretary who assists the Prefect in the specific area of…