Welcome Sean and Antony..our new Postulants!!!

Today, with great joy, we welcomed to new Postulants into our Fraternity in Raheny. Sean is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He has lived and worked in Ireland for the L'Arche Community for seven years. Sean, not only has a good Irish name but is a great multi-instrumental traditional musician.

Antony hails from Kerala in India, a place which has a strong Capuchin presence. He is an Engineer and has worked and lived in Ireland for the last four years.

Br Eustace (Director of Postulants) invested the two men with the Franciscan Tau, an ancient symbol of renewal and protection, used by St Francis as his signature. Postulancy is the first stage of their journey into Capuchin life. Br Eustace spoke of their courage in taking such a counter-cultural step and of how he very much admired their brave decision.

We are delighted to have them with us and wish them every blessing. Do keep them in your prayers.

Br Eustace speaks of the call to Capuchin life

The Tau Crosses are blessed

Antony and Sean

Sean receives the Tau Cross

Antony receives his Tau

Our local community welcome the two new men

Sean and Antony with members of the Secular Franciscan Order

Keep up to date....

..... with the latest from the Capuchin General Chapter by clicking here!!                                                 
                                                                   

Video of the election of Br Mauro as Minister General

Poor Clare Assembly 2012

Today, Br Bryan and myself where privileged to be invited to the closing day of the Poor Clare Assembly held in Dalgan Park. Sisters from all over Ireland, Scotland, England and America where there. Mother Francis, former Abbess of the Poor Clare Monastery in Carlow, was elected as President of the Representative Group.

We shared in pray, food and a lot of laughs with these wonderful ladies, who are a powerhouse of prayer, peace, joy and positivity within the Franciscan movement and the Church. I never leave their company without being changed in some way. Thank God for them and may they be blessed in all they do.

Bryan in reflective mood as we arrive at the event

The altar in the chapel

Sr Colette (Galway) and Bryan (Church St) with the magnificent icons of Sts Francis and Clare

Sr Colette explains the elements of the icon of St Clare

Mother Francis cuts the Jubilee cake

Poor Clare Paparazzi!!

Capuchin General Chapter..

Tomorrow, in San Lorenzo College Rome, the 84th General Chapter of our Order begins. 264
brothers from all over the world are gathering in Rome for this event which takes place every six years. This Chapter is quite a special one because, apart from electing our General Minister and his Council, the delegates will seek approval for a new edition of our Constitutions.

The Constitutions are the framework for how we live our vocation as Capuchin Friars on a practical basis. They formulated from the Rule of St Francis, Scripture, Church Documents and tradition. They cover areas such as entry to our life, formation of brothers, Our life as Minors, Poverty, Prayer and our Mission to the Poor.

Br Mauro (Pictured above) has been our General Minister for the last six years and the first few days of the Chapter will be spent assimilating his report on the last six years. His report details what we are doing around the world, how they order is fairing for vocations, formation of the brothers and opportunities for the future. The Minister General stands, for us, in the place of St Francis himself and so what he has to say has great value and importance.

We wish all our Brothers success and pray that they will be guided by the Holy Spirit in all that they do.

If you would like to know more about the Chapter, the Order in General feel free to visit our General Website www.ofmcap.org or if you would like to know more about what our life is like as a Friar in Ireland you are welcome to contact our Vocations Director, Br Terence on tharr@eircom.net or on 086 3230638

Pax
Br Martin