24 young men received into the Capuchin Novitiate in the United States

This week, in the United States, 18 young men completed their year long Novitiate in California and have now professed temporary vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. But no rest for the Novitiate staff as 24 men arrived and were invested into the Novitiate (pictured above)

The novitiate, hosted by Western American Province, caters for 6 US provinces as well as Canada, Australia, Great Britain and Ireland. Last Saturday, Br Roger Soares was professed for the British Province.

And as well as all this, 5 young men were accepted into Postulancy in the Western American Province, the first year of Capuchin Life!!

We wish them all well and assure them of our prayers. This is a great source of joy for us all and we pray that the Lord will continue to inspire young men to hear his call to serve the poor as a Capuchin Friar.

Pax
Br Martin

Capuchin Frairs Gathering, Rochestown, Cork

Yesterday, the Feast of St Lawrence of Brindisi, Frairs from all over Ireland and missionaries home from Zambia, South Africa, New Zealand and the United States gathered in Rochestown to celebrate our life as Brothers in Mission.

Br Pius preached and reminded us how good it is for us to come together in Peace and Joy and how we are called, as Capuchins, to share this with all we meet. The group spanned the generations but all mingled easily with each other and reminds us of the words of the psalm: 'how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in union'.

Three Jubliarians concelebrated the Mass with our Provincial Minister, Br Des, they are Br's Brendan O Mahoney (50 years), Peter Rogers (40 years) and John Manley (40 years). We wish them every gratitude for their service and blessing for the future.

Here are some images of the day.....pax

Stainedglass in Rochestown Oratory

Brother greeting each other as they arrive

Br Pius 

Brother listen attentively to his words

Br Des, our Provincial

Br's Peter (General Definator) and Des (Provincial)

Brothers receiving the Body of Christ

Br's Jeremy (Holy Trinity, Cork) and Bryan (Church St, Dublin)

Br's Michael, Dermot, Adrian, Peter  and Sean

Br's Gerald (missionary in the US), Des, Felix and Damien (Missionary in Namibia)

Friars gather to honour the First Capuchin in Ireland at Tisaran, Co Offaly

Last evening we were invited to join the local parishioners of a small Offaly village for their cemetery Mass. Why, you might ask? Well, because buried in the old graveyard is a Capuchin Friar called Stephen Daly. Stephen was born in 1575 in Tisaran but travelled to Europe to study as a Capuchin Friar and Priest. He return to Ireland and to his local village to minister to the people during penal times in 1615. He died, aged 45, in 1620.

Since the discovery of his grave the local people have taken Stephen to their hearts. 15 Friars from all over Ireland gathered last night to pray in thanks-giving for the life and example of Stephen Daly as well as the goodness of the local people. It was a beautiful evening and we held the Mass outdoors in the ruins of the old Church. Br Des, Provincial, presided at the Mass and Br Paul Murphy, delivered an excellent homily asking 'what would Stephen Daly say to us today, if he where here?'

Here are some photos of the event.

Carlow Poor Clare Community celebrates 800th anniversary of St Clare

Last Saturday I travelled to the Poor Clare Monastery in Carlow to join in the celebrations for the 800th Anniversary of St Clare. The Church was packed out, we were greeted by pipers as we entered and flags and buntings fluttered in the wind. The celebrations were lead by Cardinal Brady and Liam Lawton lead the singing. Cardinal Brady delivered an excellent homily on the life of St Clare and of her relevance today, reminding us that Clare gave all for the One who gave all for Her. Here are some images from the day

Pax Br Martin