I am Oman Ashraf, originally from Pakistan, and I am currently a novice with the Augustinian Order (OSA). My journey toward religious life has been one of faith, transformation, and a deep sense of calling—a path I never expected to take. Growing up in a strong Catholic family, I never imagined becoming a priest. It…
The Standing Committee of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has recently released a message to the faithful, encouraging them to unite in daily prayer of the Rosary after their gathering in the Columba Centre of St Patrick’s Pontifical College, Maynooth. The prayer will being broadcasted every evening from St Peter’s Square at 8pm (Ireland time),…
Ash Wednesday falls on March 5 this year, marking the start of Lent. The Pioneers, inspired by Pope Francis’ 2025 Lenten message, are encouraging people to “journey in hope together.” In his message, the Holy Father challenges the faithful to step outside their comfort zones and engage with others, a call that is especially vital…
Religious life is something which should be primarily seen as a gift of God. It is a gift of grace which calls men and women to give their whole lives to the love and service of the Lord Jesus, through the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. I have been in religious life for over…
Easter might be late this year, but Lent has come early for a group of Irish men, who have signed up for ‘spiritual bootcamp’. While the Lenten journey is 40 days, an estimated 1,000 Irish men are about halfway through a 90 day experience – which includes daily cold showers and no television. “It’s Lent…
What are you looking forward to right now? What got you out of bed this morning? It’s undeniable: we need something to hope for as much as we need food and water. In his masterpiece encyclical on Christian Hope, Spe Salvi, Benedict XVI starts by comparing the plight of the pagans of St Paul’s time…
An ever-present in the emerald green of Limerick for sixteen seasons Graeme Mulcahy has seen it all. From the doldrums of the hurling strike in 2010 to the glory of the four in a row, the thirty-four-year-old Kilmallock native has etched his name as one of the all-time Limerick greats. Having retired shortly after the…
I believe the majority of us favour the flourishing of the Irish language (even if some school pupils do try to obtain exemptions – it’s not an easy subject to master). And in Northern Ireland, as I’ve written previously, I think the Unionists have been daft to try to oppose its introduction: they should have…
Bishop Fintan Monahan The quality of Jesus and God the Father that was echoed and reflected in the life and ministry of Bishop Emeritus Willie Walsh. His Episcopal motto was ‘Cineáltas Chríost, the Gentleness of Christ’. During the week we were busy praying for the health and recovery of Pope Francis. While we were doing…
Last month, we all went into shock at the news that Willie Walsh had died suddenly while having a coffee with his son in a local cafe in Carrigaline, Co. Cork, his adopted town from his native Ballyphehane in Cork city. Willie, 74 years old, was loved in Carrigaline, in Ballyphehane, in the church community which…
Renata Milán Morales
Martina Purdy
Mary Kenny