02 April 2011 - Peace Prayer

Lord make me a channell ..........

Franciscan Meditation

Lord, cast your light into the darkness of my heart,
Give me a correct faith, certain hope and perfect charity.
Sense and knowledge Lord,
That I may know and do your Holy and True Will

(St Francis of Assisi: Prayer for Enlightenment)

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Discerning a Franciscan vocation

Two videos here for you, on vocation discernment, produced by our Franciscan Brothers in the United States. You know, a great beauty of a Franciscan vocation is that we are Brother in a Universal sense,so these short video reflections are as relevant here, in Ireland, as across the Atlantic or anywhere else. They are focused on discernment, a word we use often. It means coming to understand what God is asking us to be, not do. To the Apostles He said ' Will you come follow me?' and He says it again today to us, to you ....... NOW

Vocation Part 1

Vocation Part 2

Franciscans at World Youth Day 2011 (16 - 21 August, Madrid)

World Youth Day Website

Hi Folks

WYD is fast approaching! To date, 1,250 Irish people have registered to attend, with over 300,000 in total from all around the world registered. This year the Franciscan family will host a 'Franciscan Village' in the heart of Madrid. The village is open to all.It will be a fantastic opportunity for Franciscans, from around the world, to meet up,as well as, creating an opportunity for us to welcome the WYD pilgrims into a Franciscan way of life for a few days. Pilgrims will have a chance to join us for prayer, attend some Franciscan talks and the 'Festival of Joy' - a big concert celebrating Francis and our way of life.

So if you are attending the WYD, you will get a very large,and warm, Franciscan welcome in the village.Do try to come along to the church of San Francesco el Grande, where we will be based.

Hasta la vista

Br Martin

'A prophet is never accepted in their own hometown' (Luke4:24)

Good Morning

In today's Gospel Jesus tells us that a 'Prophet is never accepted in their own hometown'. I am sure we have heard this phrase before many times, used in many different ways. But what is Jesus saying to us?

We can grow very familiar with situations, people, projects, ideas and over time, maybe unintentionally, we begin to take them for granted. We expect certain things from them, certain behaviours, certain responses because that's the way it has always been.

I remember when I first thought of speaking to somebody about my desire to discern a religious vocation, the words of this Gospel echoed in my mind. Nobody will believe you ! They will think you are mad! This made me put it off for some time... years infact!

When I finally opened up, in confidence, to somebody I couldn't have been more amazed. Yes, they were initially surprised, because I had kept this to my self and nobody suspected. But, as they listened to me, they could see that I really meant it. That I was prepared to give up what I had to respond to Christ who was asking me to come and follow Him.

In the rest of this Gospel. Jesus goes on to speak about the genuine love of God, a no strings attached love, that is always accepting of us. It can be very difficult to make the first step, with regards to talking about a religious vocation, but I would encourage you to ask the Lord for the courage to do it. Ask him also to provide you with somebody you can talk to, who will give to a chance to express how you feel... you may be surprised who he sends your way!

If you feel you would like to talk about how you can respond to God, you are most welcome to contact our Vocations Director, Br Terence, on 086 3230638 or at capuchinvocation@gmail.com

Peace be with you all on this beautiful Spring day

Br Martin

Saying Yes ..

Today we celebrate the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. The feast in which we remember Mary's yes to God. I can't imagine for an instant that it was an easy yes but, thankfully, she had the courage to say it. Mary's Yes was no foregone conclusion. St Iranaeus, a great father of the Eastern Church, tells us that 'ALL of Creation held it's breath.. waiting for Mary's yes'. What a wonderful image and what a wonderful example of how God respects our freedom and choice.

We too have many opportunities to say Yes to God, just as Mary did. Lent is a great time to show, in a concrete way, our Yes. Saying Yes to God is not a one off event either, it is a daily, and sometimes hourly, event.

How do we say Yes? Well Jesus gives us the answer to this when he tells us to 'love God the Father with ALL your heart, ALL your mind and ALL your strength AND to love your neighbour as YOURSELF'. Not always easy, I know.

One yes that takes a lot of courage is to say the Yes to a Religious vocation. It is a step into the unknown, frightening and can change how the world sees you. But, and I speak from my own experience here, once you have said yes, any fear and anxiety turns to liberation, joy and peace. For me, it wasn't the easiest Yes I have ever said but it was, and is, the best one I have ever said.

So I leave you with one question: What Yes is God asking you to say today?

Hail Mary, Full of Grace
The Lord is with you and Blessed are you among women.
Blessed is the fruit of your womb .. Jesus.

Peace to you all on this beautiful day

Br Martin