In two special visits on August 22 and 29, Bishop Paul Dempsey engaged with young people in Dublin, giving insightful talks to two youth prayer groups, ‘Youth Rathmines’ and ‘Pure in Heart’. Bishop Dempsey focused on his personal vocation journey to the priesthood and his experiences as a bishop. During his presentation, Bishop Dempsey talked…
Thousands gathered in Galway Cathedral on September 5 to 6 to venerate the relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes. Fr John Gerard Acton of Galway Cathedral said that it was an immense privilege for both the Diocese and the Cathedral parish to host the relics of the young saint, noting how the two-day event of…
This October, for the first time, the sacred relics of 7th-century Irish monk and martyr St Kilian will return to his homeland in Co. Cavan from Germany. Maynooth has been selected as a stop on this journey, where the relics will be available for public veneration in the College Chapel on October 2. Rev. Prof.…
Recently, Bishop Paul Dempsey visited two youth prayer groups, where he shared his faith journey and reflections on his first months as auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese. “There’s so much criticism out there. We’ve come through a challenging time for the Church in Ireland – everyone knows that. Yet, the roots of the Church at…
Mary Burke of Crystal Swing has always had a life deeply rooted in her Faith. In a recent interview with The Echo, a Cork newspaper, the singer shared, “My faith was passed down to me from my parents.” One expression of her devotion is her large collection of religious statues, which she has been gathering…
An event held in Venice from August 18 to 25, organised by the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice (JCFJ) in Ireland, along with the Jesuit European Social Centre in Brussels and Aggiornamenti Sociali in Milan, emphasised the potential contributions of religious individuals to public life. The Faith and Politics Workshop brought together young people…
“Young people, they’re searching for more,” said Keith Kelly, Youth Minister in the Diocese of Raphoe, at the Youth 2000 Event, pointing to the eagerness for catechesis to and Faith formation among the younger generations. Youth 2000 hosted a weekend event that gathered a large crowd of young people seeking to deepen their spiritual lives.…
Nearly 1,000 young people gathered at Clongowes Wood College in Co. Kildare from August 15 to 18 for the 35th annual Youth 2000 retreat, marking an important milestone in the organisation’s history. The event brought together participants aged 16 to 35 from across Ireland, offering them an opportunity to deepen their relationship with God while…
In conversation with Sr Briege McKenna In the town of Newry, Northern Ireland, a girl named Briege McKenna entered the convent of St Clare at the age of 15. Religious life was a calling she felt deeply. At just 17, Sr Briege began to experience pain in her hands and feet. What was initially thought…
Every year, thousands of faithful gather at Knock for the National Novena, making it a central event for spiritual reflection, prayer, and community from August 14 to 22. Fr Richard Gibbons, the Rector of Knock Shrine, in a conversation with The Irish Catholic, has offered insights into the Novena’s lasting relevance. The Knock Novena has…