In Ireland, Catholic youth groups are experiencing a resurgence, drawing hundreds of young people to faith-based activities and community service.
Young Catholic counterculture emerging in modern Ireland
Renata Milán Morales
A transatlantic Rosary
Recent weeks have seen troubling incidents at the Dublin-NYC portal, but a recent initiative aimed to bring positivity. Collaborating with an American Catholic influencer –@FrancoTV-, three friars from the Order of Preachers – @irishdominicans – organised a Rosary prayer session spanning the Atlantic. The American influencer’s team explains on his ‘X’ (twitter) profile, “the idea was…
Lough Derg blooms and booms
This May, Lough Derg has welcomed more than a thousand pilgrims to the island, and this is only the start of the pilgrimage season. Also, this year, more than 1100 teenagers attended a pre-Confirmation retreat. 816 attended the same retreat in 2023. “Lough Derg is increasing the outreach to young people. Ireland has missed out…
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration initiative in Dublin
Over forty people are committing to spend at least an hour weekly in front of the Blessed Sacrament with the aim of establishing 24/7 adoration. A Legion of Mary praesidium joined Radio Maria with the purpose of promoting adoration and helping to establish the Blessed Sacrament being exposed 24/7 -perpetual adoration. This would make Radio…
A year of Ireland’s environment
The National Library of Ireland (NLI), together with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced on May 27 the first recipient of their inaugural Photographer in-Residence as Paula T. Nolan, from Dublin. Paula’s project titled ‘ReViewing Ireland: A Photo Study of Ireland’s Environment’, will involve travelling via public transport to each of the 26 counties over…
Advocating for human dignity
Spring Legacy supplement 2024 Spreading Hope with a Final Gift From Zimbabwe to Colombia, Irish missionaries have been supporting the furthest behind, helping vulnerable and marginalised communities “not only to survive, but to strive”, while also helping communities to develop local leadership.These missionaries become “rooted in the places they serve. Relationships grow from the long-term…
Young people agree with Pope – more babies will need more support
In early May Pope Francis addressed the reality of birth rates decreasing in Italy and urged Italians to have more children. “It is important to work together to promote natality with realism, foresight, and courage” Pope Francis said, introducing the topic of tumbling birth-rates in Europe to his audience. “Birth rates” he said, “are the…
Thousands descend on Co. Down for Carlo Acustis’ relics
On May 13, 2024, the relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis visited St Nichola’s Church, Ardglass and St Mary’s Church, Dunsford in Co. Down, and was greeted by an estimated 5,500 people. The relic has travelled to Ireland this weekend from Assisi’s Sanctuary of the Renunciation, the church where Blessed Carlo Acutis’ remains are housed and…
Bringing God to the ‘normality’ of our lives
In Tramore, Co. Waterford a new initiative has emerged blending elements of faith and sport in a program called the ‘Surfing Retreat’. Run by Fr Taddeo Hammerle, Youth Chaplain at Holy Family Mission in Glencomeragh, Co. Tipperary, and Mr Billy Butler, owner of Freedom Surf School, this mission aims to provide secondary school students with…
Two parishes walking side by side in Tyrone
In Barons Court Estate, Newtownstewart Parish (Derry Diocese) embarked on a fund-raising walk on May 12 with the purpose of restoring historic buildings (churches included), as part of its ‘heritage programme’. The Catholic parish and the Church of Ireland parish, sharing St Eugene as their patron, undertook this joint venture. The participating clergy were Fr…