Reflections

The House was filled with the fragrance of the perfume

The House was filled with the fragrance of the perfume

Our Lieutenancy Secretary, Confrère Mark Kane, KHS, has recently had the opportunity and pleasure to read the excellent publication The […]

November Reflection

November is the month dedicated to the Holy Souls. For many it is the bleakest and most difficult month of […]

Plenary Indulgence

A Plenary Indulgence may be acquired by members, with the conditions of confession, communion and prayers for the intentions of […]

Duccio di Buoninsegna – The Maesta Altarpiece, The Incredulity of Saint Thomas

Easter Reflection

I write these notes for Easter in mid-Lent and I have no idea how the painful and dispiriting events in […]

From the Holy Land

Archbishop Farrell

Archbishop Farrell: the injustices in Gaza now are no justification for past injustices

In his Christmas homily, Archbishop Farrell reflects on the hope and peace symbolized by the birth of Christ amidst the harsh realities of today's world. Drawing from his recent visit to Tigray, Ethiopia, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, he highlights the suffering and resilience of displaced people. The Archbishop calls for a renewed commitment to peace, inspired by the humble birth of Jesus, and urges believers to welcome the Prince of Peace into their hearts this Christmas.

Christmas Manger scene art made many led bright garland lit lamps against old ancient Magdeburg Dom Church background. Light world lichterwelt city new year xmas decoration in Germany Saxony-Anhalt.

Christmas’s True Meaning: Staying Human Through Christ’s Incarnation

In a recent interview, Iranian writer Azar Nafisi shared a powerful reflection, "the will of history is to love others." Her book, adapted into an award-winning film at the 2024 Rome Film Festival, recounts a somber story from her years in Tehran. This reflection reminds us that we must always "remain human." But how can we remain human in the face of violence, war, and hatred? To remain human is especially challenging in our secularized and disoriented society. For Christians, staying human is anchored in Christ, whose Incarnation signifies God becoming fully human. Despite everything, this is the true meaning of Christmas—a time to rediscover the preciousness of life and our humanity.

Donnacha Fahy meets George Akroush in the Holy Land

Interview with George Akroush, project coordinator for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Donnach Fahy recorded a conversation with George Akroush. George Akroush, project coordinator for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, speaks candidly […]

Christmas Message – 2024 —The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem

The Eternal Light: A Christmas Declaration from Jerusalem’s Faithful

In these dark days of ongoing conflict and uncertainty in our region, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem remain resolute in proclaiming the timeless Christmas message of the True Light shining in the darkness: the birth of our Lord Jesus in Bethlehem. They steadfastly offer hope and renewal to their local congregations and the world, reminding us that Christ’s Nativity brought the light of God’s salvation into the world, illuminating all who would receive Him. As spiritual leaders in the very places where Jesus was born, ministered, and rose from the dead, they continue to testify to the sacred light of Christ. Through worship at holy sites, welcoming pilgrims, and ministering to those in need, they advocate for peace, justice, and mercy in a land still fraught with turmoil. In this hopeful Christmas spirit, they call upon all Christians and people of goodwill to join in their noble mission of bringing about peace and healing in the Holy Land and beyond.

Sami-Christmas-2024

Another Sad Christmas 

It is hard to believe that another year is ending and that we are already in the advent season. Christmas […]

Holy-Land-Jerusalem-Holy-Sepulchre-2024-11

Praying for peace at the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

Chev. Fahy, from the Lieutenancy of Ireland, praying for peace in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

HolySepulchre-visit-2024

Visit the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

Spontaneous introductory visit to the principal places inside the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. We start at the lowest level in […]

Patriarchs and heads of the churches in jerusalem Statement on the urgent need to conclude the present war and turn from the pursuit of death and destruction towards the promotion of life and peace

Patriarchs and heads of the churches in jerusalem

Statement on the urgent need to conclude the present war and turn from the pursuit of death and destruction towards […]

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

A heartfelt message in view of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated on August 15th 2024

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has addressed Christians in the Holy Land with a heartfelt message in […]

We should not forget the Christian minority in Palestine and Israel

Aid should not be based on religion, but Christians face specific challenges Breda O’Brien – Sun Jun 9 2024 – […]

Reflections from the Holy Land: Mid-Summer Thoughts Sami El-Yousef Chief Executive Officer 14 July 2023

Reflections from the Holy Land: Mid-Summer Thoughts 

by Sami El-Yousef, Chief Executive Officer. Unlike previous year’s summer reflections, this year for various commitments they come a bit later […]

Bishop Martin Hayes, Diocese of Kilmore with Bishop Jamal Daibes, Patriarchal Vicar of Jordan. Photo credit Marcin Mazur, Catholic Communications Network, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales Mazur/cbcew.org.uk.

Reflections on a visit to Jordan

by Bishop Martin Hayes I was included in this year’s pastoral pilgrimage to represent the Irish Episcopal Conference with Bishop […]

Seán Cardinal Brady

My Prayers for the Holy Land – Seán Cardinal Brady

RESPONSES TO QUESTIONNAIRE FROM MR RODNEY LEONARD  1.         When you pray on, and for, the Holy Land, what are your main thoughts […]

Living Stones-Christians In the Holy Land

Why are Holy Land Christians Called “Living Stones?”

The term living stones in 1 Peter 2:5 is used as a metaphor to illustrate the secure and intimate relationship believers have with Jesus, […]

Homilies

Archbishop Dermot Farrell celebrating Mass in Saint Mary's Pro Cathedral, Dublin (Catholic Communications Office archive)

Archbishop Farrell: future Church leadership requires seeing mission differently, close to the journey of Jesus

HomilyThe Jesus who confronts us in today’s Gospel is a Jesus of power: he commands the unclean spirits and they […]

Bishop Niall Coll is Bishop of Ossory (Catholic Communications Office archive)

Bishop Coll: for many there is a crisis of hope, life lacks meaning, direction, purpose

• This Mass was celebrated by Bishop Niall Coll in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny, Diocese of Ossory, on Sunday 29 December 2024. • A Jubilee Year is celebrated every twenty-five years by the worldwide Church during which Catholics come together to rejoice in the faith. Over the Jubilee Year we will be encouraged to show mercy, forgive past wrongs, relieve debt, to spiritually rejuvenate, and be offered an opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence.

Fr Francis Mitchell

Homily of Very Reverend Francis Mitchell, The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

Homily of Very Reverend Francis Mitchell, JCL, KCHS, given at the annual Western Mass of the Equestrian Order of the […]

V. Reverend Derek Darby.

Homily – 2023 Investiture by Vy Rev Dereck Darby, KCHS, EV Diocese of Meath

The text below is that of Fr Dereck’s homily on Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 My friends, as we gather to […]

The Empty Tomb

Christianity is the religion of the Empty Tomb for in it was buried the one who died a sacrificial death, […]

Good Friday Homily – 2020

“Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets and our cities; it has taken over our lives, filling everything […]

Fr. Derek Darby KHS

We are endowed with a missionary spirit

Vy Rev Derek Darby, KCHS, Adm, EV The Fifth Gospel Recently I attended a meeting of the ordained members of this […]

Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo

Homily by Archbishop Jude Okololo Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland

Investiture Ceremonies 2019 “And you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord would give”. […]

Fr. Derek Darby KHS

Investiture Ceremony, Maynooth College, Ireland

‘About Zion I will not be silent, about Jerusalem I will not grow weary, until her integrity shines out like […]

Fr. Derek Darby KHS

Homily, Investiture Ceremony, Maynooth College, Ireland

Fr. Derek Darby KHS ‘About Zion I will not be silent, about Jerusalem I will not grow weary, until her […]

Mgr. Eoin Thynne

Homily – Mass for World Day of Peace

Church of the Three Patrons Rathgar, Ireland Homily from Mgr. Eoin Thynne, Head Chaplain to the Defence Forces: “I wonder […]

Cardinal Grand Master O'Brien

Homily of Cardinal Grand Master Edwin O’Brien

20 July 2013, St Patrick’s College Maynooth, Ireland Investiture of Knights and Ladies I would like to begin by thanking […]

Faoud Twal

Easter Sunday Homily

Solemn Mass of the Resurrection of our Lord at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre Jerusalem – Patriarch Fouad Twal […]

Homily by Rev Fr Timothy Bartlett, KCHS

2012 Investiture Mass Your Eminence, Your Excellencies, Members and Postulants, esteemed guests, sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ, On this […]

Bishop Noel Treanor

Homily Notes of Bishop Noel Treanor

Mass for Northern Region ST PETER’S CATHEDRAL, BELFAST, SATURDAY, 5 MAY 2012 Readings : Acts 13.44-52; Jn 14.7-14 I welcome you […]

Very Rev. Francis Mitchell JCL, KCHS

Homily at Knock Shrine, 28th January 2012

Ecclesiastical Knight Fr Francis Mitchell If you had the opportunity to attend daily Mass over the past couple of weeks […]

Books

The House was filled with the fragrance of the perfume

The House was filled with the fragrance of the perfume

Our Lieutenancy Secretary, Confrère Mark Kane, KHS, has recently had the opportunity and pleasure to read the excellent publication The […]

Vatican Council, Memories, Bishop Michael Smith, KC*HS

Second Vatican Council Memories – Bishop Michael Smith, KC*HS

In July 2022, a new book “Vatican Council Memories” written by Most Rev’d Michael Smith, Bishop Emeritus Diocese of Meath, […]

Ireland and the Crusades , Edward Coleman, lecturer and assistant professor in the School of History, UCD; Paul Duffy, senior archaeologist with IAC Archaeology and Tadhg O’Keefe, full professor in the School of Archaeology, UCD

Ireland and the Crusades

In January 2023, an interdisciplinary volume of essays from leading scholars detailing Ireland’s connection with the Crusades was published in […]