“We were welcomed by families whose focus is now day-to-day survival and whose aspirations have been reduced to bare essentials such as electricity and clean water.”

"These baptized are martyrs. They have not betrayed the Gospel," - Cardinal Sarah.

The main event will be on Thursday 15 January at 7.30 p.m. in Merrion Road Church, Blackrock, Dublin.

Peace cannot and should not be taken for granted and is a precious value that requires cultivation and tending in every generation.

Everybody will have an opportunity to have a direct encounter with witnesses — that is, people who have directly experienced violence in defending their faith — and that’s a rare opportunity for people in Ireland - Dr Michael Kinsella.

We will provide the opportunity for the faithful to gather as a community and pray not only for persecuted Christians – but also for the persecutors of Christians (ACN Ireland).

Those who need support and those who provide support are foremost in our thoughts, says Catholic Bishop of Limerick, Brendan Leahy.

Famous singer speaks of forgiveness during a dark period in his life.

Church is built on young people, Archbishop Brown tells Youth 2000 summer festival.

Sr Clare's "life and death have posed questions for many of her contemporaries – what is worthwhile doing in life, what makes a beautiful person, who we want as our idols?”

“Today, in the name of this martyr, we resolve again to be upholders of this God-given dignity of every person.”

Many who decry the errors of the recent past quickly forget “how much all of us in our own way were part of a culture of empty celebrity in the days of prosperity”.

Secular society “can be allergic to any explicit mention of faith commitment in the life of men and women with responsibilities in the economic or social or political life of society."

Pilgrimage starts at Brigid's Well in Faughart Co Louth on 28 June and arrives in Kildare on 6 July.

In first message for World Communications Day, Pope Francis chooses: Communication at the Service of an Authentic Culture of Encounter.

Focus of visit to be on modern slavery and human trafficking.

Watch some short clips from this new DVD which gives an intimate insight into the homes and hearts of people from the Archdiocese of Armagh as they fulfil their calling in life.

Liam Lawton shares one of the stories featured in Where God Hides at the launch of the book in All Hallows College on 19 September 2012.

Teresa Menendez shares her memories of the closing liturgy in Croke Park and the hand over to the Philippines who will host the next International Eucharistic Congress in 2016.

This presentation at IEC2012 explores practical ways that can help Grandparents fulfill their role of passing on their most precious gift of faith in a world that is increasingly hostile to those beliefs.

John Waters speaks about his journey of discovery concerning religion as a primal force in the structure of humanity.

This sensory rich installation was one of the highlights of IEC2012 for many pilgrims- it transports visitors to Capernaum, the village on the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus lived during His public ministry.

John Waters, Author and Journalist, shares his reflection on ‘finding my religion’ which was the title for his talk at IEC2012.

Watch an interview recorded at IEC2012 with one of the organisers of Catholic Comment – Petra Conroy – and one of their newly trained speakers – Kevin Leavy..

The theme for Monday at IEC2012 was Communion in One Baptism – Br Alois (Prior of Taize) summarises his message that he delivered in the main arena.

A number of volunteers share why they were inspired to serve at the International Eucharistic Congress and offer encouragement to those thinking of joining up. Applications close on March 17th.

Michael Andrew Ford paints an honest and sympathetic picture, examining all areas of Nouwen's life and his legacy as a great spiritual writer.

Sheila's "Confessions" may find echoes in hearts and minds with regard to the practice of Catholic faith today.

This is a collection of the occasional writings of Liverpool priest Father Kevin Kelly who has been discerning and clarifying the call of God's Spirit in people's lives over the last fifty years.

Incarnation can be a very concrete experience. The author Lloyd Bracken is Faith Development Co-ordinator at Ceist Education Office, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.