In the footsteps of St Clare

St Clare of Assisi, along with St Francis, was a founding member of our way of life. Together they embodied the uniqueness of the Franciscan Vocation. St Clare was a revolutionary and inspirational woman, the first woman to write, and have approved, a rule of life for religious women. She founded the order now known as the Poor Clares, an enclosed order of nuns. They are known for the simple, austere and very prayerful way of life. In Ireland they have monasteries in Galway, Clare, Carlow, Leitrim, Belfast, Cork and Dublin. Their vocation is a very beautiful one of community, prayer and service, hidden from the gaze of the world. They keep up to date with happenings in the world and bring these intentions to the many hours they spend in prayer and Adoration. They are truly a powerhouse of prayer in the Church and we are very grateful for their presence and witness.

I have attached links to a website for all the Monasteries in Ireland as well as two videos, one on their way of life and on on Adoration. If you feel that God may be calling you to a Vocation to follow St Clare, each website has plenty of information and contact details.

Pax Br Martin

Poor Clare Website - click here

Vocation Sunday Homily, Holy Trinity Capuchin Church, Cork

Vocations Sunday Podcast

Peace be with you all

I was asked to preach at the Masses last weekend for Vocation Sunday in Holy Trinity, Cork. I have attached a podcast of the homily in which I tell about my own vocation journey, look at what a vocation is and offer some advice on how to respond if you feel called.

Pax
Br Martin

Capuchin Franciscan Vocations Experience

We are hosting two vocations experiences in Dublin on 10 - 12th of June and a one day event in Cork on the 25th of June 2011. This is a great opportunity to experience what life is like as a Capuchin Franciscan Friar.


Experience our life of Brotherhood, Prayer, work with the Poor, what it's like on our overseas mission. A chance to hear, from Friars, what life is like and to talk to them about your vocation.

Friday 10th of June to Sunday 12th of June - Church Street, Dublin
Saturday 25th of June - Holy Trinity, Father Matthew Quay, Cork
Contact: Br Terence on 086 3230638

Open to young men aged 18 to 35

Capuchin Franciscans: Live the Dream, Make the Difference!

John Paul: A Saint for our Times (click here!!)

Greetings on this beautiful day!

I have linked a wonderful video on the life of Blessed John Paul II. John Paul was always a great inspiration for me, especially when it came to following a Religious vocation. I pray that he will now water the seed of vocation in the hearts of many man and women.

Cast into the deep.......

Blessed John Paul II and the Capuchins

Dearest [Capuchin Brothers], have the true and prophetic impetus to help the people of our time who with regards to the moral values quite often grope in the dark. 

Animate the youth, promote biblical groups and prayer communities. Bring Christ to the world, especially through the custom of popular contact which countersigns you. Be missionaries! 

The need to bring the Gospel to those who do not know about it is becoming more pressing because the masses of people who have not yet met the Lord Jesus is growing.(...)

 The pastoral needs of the environment where we have been brought up do not constitute a sufficient reason not to leave one’s own country and go where God will show us. (...) According to the teaching and the example of Saint Francis you have a rich inheritance to guard: it will make you well prepared for the new 

evangelisation (Rome 1.7.1994)

Br John Corriveau, our former Minister General wrote of John Paul :

 'John Paul II continuously showed us the proper way how to live the charism which Francis had accepted, lived and transmitted to his followers so that it would continue to live. And that magisterial way is the poor love lived in and from the fraternity because the “way of living in fraternity” allows the Kingdom of God to be visible and to grow among the men and women of all times. In his untiring effort to propose to us the figures of saints and blesseds who had grown up and lived the Franciscan-Capuchin charism, John Paul II has done nothing else but to tell us that it is 

possible to live it even today, in this modern and technological era'. 

We thank the Lord for Blessed John Paul, for his life, his ministry, his humanity, his witness, his joy, his peace and his compassion.

We pray that today many will be inspired and encouraged by John Paul, to experience the Lord in their lives,
 that many will be inspired to seek the voice of the Lord in their hearts and that many will be inspired to live a life of service to God, His Church and People through discerning and following their vocation. 


We remember the words of John Paul:

'do not be afraid......cast out into the deep .... 


open wide the doors of your heart to Christ .... 


there you will find true life'

The Magic of Ards

Peace be with you all!!

Last week I was on retreat with my Capuchin Brothers in our retreat centre in Ards, Co Donegal. On the first day of the retreat Brother Kieran, our Retreat Master, said ' allow Ards work it's magic this week'. I have attached some images of Ards to allow you to experience some of that magic.

Pax
Br Martin