At a time when the vulnerability of Christians in Afghanistan is to the forefront of our minds, the book, The Certainty of being Loved, by Martin McGee OSB, has a particular pertinence. It is an account of the spiritual journey of Pierre Claverie OP, born in Bab el Oued, Algiers on 8 May 1938; assassinated… Read More
Tag: Christianity
A Day to Remember: Yom HaShoah
The Christian religion began with the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus was a Jew as were his earliest followers. In one sense it is possible to say that Christianity began as a movement within Judaism. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, these early followers believed him to be the Messiah… Read More
The Guardian Angels
One of the most appealing images remembered from religious instruction in childhood was that of the guardian angels protecting us all from danger, both physical and moral. Just as parents sometimes entrust the younger members of the family to the care of their elder brothers and sisters, so our Father in Heaven commits us to… Read More
The Cross: From Shame to Triumph
On September 14 we celebrated the feast day of the Exaltation of the Cross. This is a commemoration of two historical events: the Finding of the True Cross and the dedication in 335 of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary by Constantine, which mark the site of the Crucifixion. The Roman Emperor Hadrian (117-38… Read More
Someone Beautiful For God- Mother Teresa
On the fifth of this month, we celebrated the feast of St Teresa of Calcutta, fondly known to almost everyone as Mother Teresa. The woman who for much of her life was described as “the living saint”, was canonized on September 4, 2010. Teresa, forever associated with India, especially Calcutta (now known by its local… Read More
Anti-Catholicism, and the last Irish Martyr
This week we celebrated the feast of St Oliver Plunkett, who when canonized in 1975, became the first Irish saint for almost 700 years, as well as the first of the Irish martyrs to be beatified. It was an honour that he had paid for dearly – with a life on the run filled with… Read More
Life after Covid19
This week we saw the beginning of what is referred to as the opening up of our country. Hand in hand with this is the notion of ‘the new normal’, a phrase which strikes fear in the hearts of some, intimating that things have changed irrevocably. I am still getting used to the idea of… Read More
Going too far?- Adapting during Covid19
One day last week I noticed that the doors of my parish church were open so I decided to go in and see what was happening. I discovered that a small section of the church was in use for people to make a visit, just to light a candle and say a prayer. There was… Read More
The Pope has a Dream
Pope St John Paul II was born one hundred years ago last Monday. When future historians look back on the most influential personalities of the 20th century, his name will undoubtedly loom large in their accounts. Even his critics would agree that few individuals have had a greater impact-not just in the field of religion-but… Read More
In A World Where You Can Be Anything, be Kind
“Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ”. These were some of the words written by St Paul in his letter to the Church at Ephesus. Kindness is an example of love in action as well as being a gift of the Holy Spirit, something… Read More
From Anti-Semitism to Auschwitz
On January 27, 1945 the notorious Nazi death camp at Auschwitz was liberated by Soviet forces. On Monday this week, hundreds of Holocaust survivors joined delegates from world governments, (including our own President Michael D. Higgins) at the site where more than one million people were murdered when the Nazis occupied Poland during World War… Read More
Gospel Conversations by Desmond O’Donnell
Gospel Conversations by Desmond O’Donnell, OMI is available from Dominican Publications for just €9.99 Gospel Conversations, a Dominican publication , was written by Desmond O’Donnell, OMI and is a collection of imaginary exchanges between various characters from the New Testament. The aim of the book is to enable the reader to engage more fully with… Read More
Hinduism – Worshipping one God in many forms
Hinduism – worshipping one God in many forms On Monday morning last I went to 7.25am Mass in my local Parish Church. Generally, there is quite a small attendance unless it is a Holy Day. What really struck me was that there were five different Indian families in the congregation. This led me to wonder… Read More
Reflection on Jesus in The Lion King and Narnia
Christianity, The Lion King and Narnia This week I finally got to see the new version of The Lion King. I wanted to go once I heard it had been re-made as I loved the original film released in 1994. I personally preferred the earlier one but the essential themes are all there, the main… Read More
Religion in Schools – Understanding all Beliefs
Religion in Schools While writing the blog last week on Christianity and Buddhism I realised how little I know about other religions. When I was in school, which as they say was not today or yesterday, we had more class discussions about issues and I do remember watching the series Jesus of Nazareth. However, I… Read More
Christianity and Buddhism
This Sunday sees the celebration of the birthday of Buddha according to the Gregorian calendar. The only thing I knew about the Buddhist religion was their respect for all forms of life so I decided to compare it with Christianity and learn a bit more in the process! Buddhism originated in North-East India sometime between… Read More