World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life 2012

Today we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life.  Instituted by Blessed John Paul II in 1997 the day was chosen to coincide with the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord; to symbolise the presentation of ourselves to God.  Today, we also bless candles to symbolise Christ, who is the light of the world, and to remind us that we, who are in consecrated life, are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.

      As Capuchin Franciscans in Ireland we share Christ’s light and love through our work in churches, parishes, schools, universities, hospitals, hospices, homeless and drug centres, retreat houses and many other areas of society.  We live and pray in community, and serve the Church through our apostolic service and contemplative prayer.  As Capuchin Franciscans we embrace the consecrated life through our vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.  As we journey with Francis, we seek to discover Christ in the face of today's most needy and vulnerable. 

      May we are who consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience seek to live our Baptismal promises more intensely.  May God grant us the grace to persevere in our commitment to continue our journey with Francis towards the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits. May we experience the support of the Church as we continue our growth in holiness.  May the Lord continue to call many to be generous and to heed the prompting of the Holy Spirit to give themselves to God and live the consecrated life. 

      If you feel called to consecrate your life to God through the brotherhood of the Capuchin Franciscans, why not get in touch with Br. Terence our vocation director (Mobile: 086 323 0638 or Email: capuchinvocation@gmail.com)?  Trust in the echoing words of Blessed John Paul II, "Be Not Afraid!"

Feast of St. Brigid of Kildare

   St. Brigid lived at the beginning of the Golden Age of the Celtic Irish Catholic Church.  This period, from the late fifth century AD, saw monasteries become social, spiritual and political centers.  They were often huge theocratic villages, associated with a clan, along with their slaves, freemen, celibate monks, married clergy, professed lay people, men and women, all living side by side and serving in various roles.  

   In these times the monastic abbots were not necessarily ordained and, as is the case with St. Brigid, were women too.  These Celtic Christians took their spiritual life very seriously and sought to achieve a personal and organic union between themselves and God (a theosis); with God dwelling in them and they in Him.  They saw the true Christian life as being lived in and with Christ.  During these times the monasteries were universally esteemed and regarded as the utmost expression of the Christian life. 

     Today, as we seek a renewed vision and approach to both the spiritual and the material world, we pray that we may recapture something of the essence of the deeply spiritual, holistic, ecologically sensitive, inclusive and egalitarian Church which St. Brigid knew and led.  Following her example, may we grow each day into greater wholeness of mind, body and spirit!

"Come and See" Vocation Weekend! 24th - 26th February 2012

Why not "Come and See"?
 

A “Come and See” vocation weekend is a no-strings-attached chance to spend time learning about the life of the Irish Capuchin Franciscans. The weekend will provide you with an opportunity to take time out, to reflect, to pray, to share the life of the friars and to talk with those who are already journeying as Capuchins. If you are a single Catholic man aged between 18 and 40 and are considering our way of life why not come for the weekend and see for yourself? 

For more information about the weekend, life as a Capuchin Franciscan friar, or to schedule a time to visit the Friary please contact Br. Terence Harrington on 086 323 0638, email: capuchinvocation@gmail.com or visit our webpage: www.irishcapuchinfranciscans.org

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: 18th - 25th January 2012

Change is at the heart of our Christian faith. Saint Paul said that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation, and we are called to live as children in the light. 

The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2012 comes to us from the churches in Poland, who have reflected upon their own experience as a nation, and in particular how, as a nation, they have been changed and transformed by the many upheavals of their history, and sustained by their faith.

Change is also at the heart of the ecumenical movement. When we pray for the unity of the church we are praying that the churches that we know and which are so familiar to us will change as they conform more closely to Christ. This is an exciting vision, but also a challenging one. Furthermore, when we pray for this transforming unity we are also praying for change in the world.

Resources for the week are available as downloads from here on the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website.  

 

New Year Greetings from Zambia

Victoria Falls, Zambia

Happy New Year to you all!! I arrived in Lusaka, Zambia on the 29th of December to begin a four month mission experience. Over this time I will live, work and pray with the Brothers and people in Zambia. You can keep track of my progress on my blog http://capmexz.blogspot.com/ . As I come across material or experiences which may be useful to those discerning a vocation to our way of life, I will post it directly.

So I look forward to journeying with you and sharing some of my experiences over the next four months

Pax
Br Martin

Mary's Dream: A thought for Christmas

'I had a dream Joseph! I don't understand it, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our Son.
The people in my dream had been preparing for about 6 weeks! They had decorated the house and bought new clothes. They've gone shopping many times and bought lots of fancy gifts. It was strange though, because the presents weren't for our Son! They wrapped them in beautiful paper and put them under a tree covered in coloured lights. Yes Joseph they had a tree right in the middle of their homes!! They even had a figure of an Angel on top!
Everybody was laughing and happy. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, and not to our Son. To be honest, I don't think they even knew him. They never mentioned his name. I had the strangest feeling that, if Jesus had gone to this celebration, he would have been intruding. How sad for somebody not to be wanted at their own birthday party!!............. I am glad it was only a dream'

How will you prepare for Christmas?

Last weekend we were delighted to host and run a one day retreat for the CYC World Youth Day Group entitled 'Putting Christ back into Christmas'. It was a great day which included some input from Br's Martin and Liam, Workshops, an experience working in the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People, a visit to the Capuchin Mission Exhibition and Museum, Lectio Divina, Reflection Groups, Silent prayer and a candle lit Mass.