Conall Ó Cuinn SJ tells the story of John Newton, who was involved in the slave trade, but had an experience of the mercy of God. He became a preacher and composed the hymn “Amazing Grace”. Albert Finney plays the part in the recent film of the same name.
Alex Wright, Director of SCM Press, calls for theologians and churches to dialogue seriously with contemporary culture in a world where religion and faith are becoming ever more marginal.
Pauline Jaricot founded the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Through this society lay people can contribute to the organisation of the missions. It was Pauline’s sense of self-sacrifice that was the stimulus to setting it up. John Murray PP tells the story.
There are many ways grandparents can hand on their faith to their grandchildren without making a big deal about it. Jeanette Brimner reviews these and adds that interested contact and good example are hard to beat.
Fr Brian Grogan SJ tells us about the life and times of Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ.
Thomas O’Loughlin provides a guide to any priest or liturgy preparation group wishing to make the Sunday liturgy a real encounter where the participants can experience God speaking to them.
In the emerging post-secular society the Irish School of Ecumenics has a bright future. This is founder Michael Hurley SJ’s assessment of the role of an institution he fouunded almost forty years ago and which is still very much at the heart of academic and cultural life in Ireland and [...]
Continuing in the footsteps of St Ignatius, Brian Grogan SJ recounts Ignatius’s vision of “Our Lady with the Holy Child Jesus” and what effect this had on his journey on for the greater glory of God.
Winnie writes: “Dear Father, My adult son and daughter no longer attend the Sacraments. At a recent wedding they both received Holy Communion without prior Confession. I know the Church teaches that one should make a good confession before receiving Holy Communion but isn’t everybody welcome at the table of [...]
Dermot Nestor guides us through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and what effect this process can have on an entire Christian community.
Fr Patrick Rogers CP is director of the popular, one-day “Together” marriage preparation courses (www.together.ie) held about 15 times per year. He says the Church needs to take account of where young people see themselves. “It is not enough,” he says, “to appeal to the faith of our fathers [...]
In this scholarly biography, Thérèse Taylor places Bernadette in the context of her time. She explains who Bernadette was, and how she lived and died, but takes no position on whether or not her visions were genuine. It sympathetically examines how Bernadette coped with the fame her experience thrust upon [...]
“Admitting to belief in God and having Christian faith is currently regarded as a taint, revealing that one’s sanity is impaired”. This is the starting point of Andrew Sims’s exploration of the relation between religion and mental health and his critique of Richard Dawkins’s “The God Delusion”. He thoroughly justifies [...]
Out of the fire of his own autistic torment, Christopher Goodchild has produced this beautiful and inspiring book full of profound life-giving wisdom.
Edel Reynolds, teacher, tells how she sees God working in her life.
Edmond Grace SJ gives an answer to why is it that we make our prayers ‘through Jesus Christ’ and what does it mean to be ‘in Him’.
John Lonergan, the Governor of Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, writes about his view of Christianity.
How do I go about arranging a baptism?
Fr Morgan Costelloe finds a source of hope as he reflects on bereavement and grief.
Liam Lawton, a Carlow-based priest, talks to Sue Leonard about his extraordinary success as composer and performer of spiritual music.
From the Veritas ‘Into the Classroom’ series: J.R. Walsh surveys the country’s religious experience down the ages and in recent times. This series, edited by Eoin G. Cassidy and Patrick M. Devitt, is designed for teachers of the new Leaving Cert religious education syllabus.
The ancient practice of Lectio Divina gives you a leg up on prayer and spiritual development, writes Lawrence S. Cunningham.
A strong appreciation of the spiritual runs through John McGahern’s That They May Face the Rising Sun, writes Eamon Maher.
The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem would probably go via Samaria and Jerusalem and take about four days on foot. It is quite likely that Joseph would have a donkey to carry pieces of wood and other tools of the carpenter’s trade, so surely as Mary was heavily pregnant with [...]
Fr Michael Collins examines the extraordinary history of the papacy and the great influence it has had on the development of civilisation.
This book represents the work of fifteen scholars in four disciplines: philosophy, theology, sociology and cultural studies. It offers an interdisciplinary reflection on the role and impact of technology in society. It is edited by edited by Michael Breen, Eamonn Conway and Barry McMillan.
Una Agnew SSL looks at how Kavanagh was able to uncover “the radiances of life”, though many of those who knew him as gruff and uncouth would have found that hard to believe.
Henry Peel OP describes the death and funeral of Daniel O’Connell. After an extraordinary life working for justice and freedom, O’Connell died on his way to Rome in May, 1847.
Michael McCabe SMA views missionary work as an extension of contemplation and as participation in a dialogue already established between God and his people.
