This book is a selection of extracts from the letters of Mary Aikenhead – one for every day of the year – containing wisdom inspiration and challenge, reflecting her deep spirituality. She founded the Religious Sisters of Charity in 1815 to work with the poor and most vulnerable people.
Aideen Gough is an art teacher. she believes and tells us how art can change people’s lives.
Seán writes: It is a law of the Church that Catholics attend Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation. As Christmas is one of these Holy Days, attendance on Christmas Day is not an optional extra. Why does the Church insist so much on the Mass?
In this collection of previously unpublished talks and interviews, Metropolitan Anthony sets out his thoughts on the experience of the Church, about how it brings together humanity with divinity, about doubt and heresy and about Christian witness. Through powerful images his thought is both compelling and accessible.
Dympna M. McMahon tells us how a casual encounter with a man on the bus changed her outlook.
“We are made to be at home with God. That we are not yet at home is not, in itself, occasion for surprise. For we are travellers, pilgrim people….” This book by Nicholas Lash opens with a critique of Richard Dawkins, goes on to discuss the ‘impossibility of atheism’, distinguish [...]
In this book, Daniel O’Leary develops two themes that are central to the Catholic Education Service(CES) of the religious education programme document of the Bishops of England and Wales. These are: “the Catholic imagination” and “the sacramental vision”. The book is inspired by “On the Way to Life”, an interpretive [...]
Brian Grogan SJ continues his series on St. Ignatius of Loyola, delving into that most crucial moment in the reformation when Inigo’s heart came alive.
John Murray PP tells the story of Patrick Peyton, who as a seminarian sick from tuberculosis with little hope of recovery, prayed to Our Lady and was cured. He went on to become a successful crusader for the Family Rosary with the motto: “The family that prays together stays together”. [...]
In 1850, Dom Prosper Gueranger OSB, at the invitation of Pope Pius IX, wrote a book which the Pope used as the basis of the Constitution “Ineffabalis Deus” which defined the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, on 8th December 1854. This article of a little over 4,000 words was written [...]
Gerald writes: Dear Father, ‘To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.’ This passage in the Hail Holy Queen strikes me as depressing. It is little calculated to lift anyone’s spirits. Fr Bernard J McGuckian SJ replies.
In this article, Brian Lennon SJ tells us that forgiving is a journey. It is wrong to say that Christian forgiving is only about loving our enemies. It is about more than that. It is also about challenging wrongdoers, and about separation from evil.
Dear Father, What has happened to Corpus Christi? When I was young it was a beautiful Feast-day. It was always a Thursday and a Holy Day of Obligation so we had a free day from school, giving us a chance to wear our First Communion dresses. As I recall it, [...]
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.
James McCaffrey OCD has written this account of Carmelite spirituality for all those who want to deepen their relationship with God through a scripture-based understanding of prayer.
