Irish Dominican Vocations

Eight student brothers instituted as lectors

2012-01-31T22:17:00.000Z

Eight of our student brothers (pictured above) were today instituted as lectors by the Prior provincial during Vespers. The 'lectorate' is a liturgical ministry which is obligatory for those preparing for ordination.

The brothers instituted all made first profession in 2010 having joined the novitiate in Cork in 2009. This latest step which took place in Saint Saviour's church in Dominick Street in Dublin is one of those formal events characteristic of the path to ordination. It is expected that the brothers will exercise this ministry before advancing to the ministry of acolyte and then proceed to diaconate ordination.

In the meantime, these brothers will continue their academic studies in philosophy and theology and prepare for their lifelong commitment to remain as Dominicans (solemn profession). Please continue to pray for our brothers in formation.

The brothers who were instituted as lectors were (pictured above from left to right): Brothers Eoin Casey, Daragh McNally, James Cassidy, David McGovern, Damian Polly, Ronan Connolly, Patrick Desmond and Conor McDonough

New Lay Dominican Group at Queens University Belfast

2012-01-31T16:24:00.001Z

Left to right: Francis McCaughan, Fr Gerard Dunne OP and Lisa Hanna

Yesterday, January 30th 2012, I had the honour of attending and preaching at a Mass in the Catholic chaplaincy at Queens University in Belfast to formally receive two new members into a newly formed lay Dominican chapter in the university campus. Lisa Hanna and Francis McCaughan were received and formally became members of the 'Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Lay Dominican chapter'.

Francis and Lisa, along with others who have an interest in becoming lay Dominicans, have decided that this newly formed chapter will have an intellectual and reflective outreach as part of the ministry of the group. This coupled with prayer and regular meeting will form the basis for their initial first steps as a new lay Dominican chapter.

Left to right: Dr Gaven Kerr, Francis McCaughan, Lisa Hanna and Fr Gary Toman

Fr Gary Toman, the Catholic chaplain at Queens University, Belfast celebrated the Mass during which the new chapter was instituted and the new members formally received. In his remarks, he warmly welcomed this new Dominican presence at the chaplaincy and expressed his delight that the chaplaincy will be able to facilitate the new group there. There was a strong presence of Dominican sisters from the Belfast area at the event along with members of other Belfast based lay Dominican groups. The two new members, Lisa and Francis, were presented by Dr Gaven Kerr for acceptance as lay Dominicans. Dr Kerr is a lay Dominican attached to the Falls Road chapter.

This new beginning of lay Dominicans attached to this university in Belfast is both an encouraging and inspiring event. The fact that there are young lay men and women who are captivated by the Dominican charism of preaching and teaching is a sign of the enduring call of Saint Dominic throughout the generations. The event which we celebrated yesterday is also a sign of hope for the Dominican family and will further the Dominican mission in Ireland.

Francis and Lisa pictured with the newly commissioned icon of Saint Dominic

Irish Dominican Vocations wishes to congratulate the two new members of the 'Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Lay Dominican chapter' and thanks them for their patience during the time of preparation for this event over the past number of months and looks forward to working with them into the future.

For more information on the lay Dominicans in Ireland, please visit www.laydominicans.ie

Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas - January 28th

2012-01-28T19:09:00.000Z

Saint Thomas Aquinas in prayer

Today, the Church and the Dominican Order celebrates the feast of our brother Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). Saint Thomas hardly needs any introduction to readers but it is worth recalling that he was one of a large family who were of noble stock. His family initially opposed his desire to join the newly founded Order of Preachers (Dominicans). When he did eventually enter the Order he spent time in the universities of Paris and Cologne. He became a Master of Theology in 1257.

It is clear that as a Dominican he was acutely aware of his responsibilities as both a Friar Preacher and a theologian. He believed that he was called to preach the Gospel by explaining the truths of revelation contained in the Scriptures and the teachings of the church with the help of the insights of the philosophy of Aristotle. In his teaching and writing Thomas sought to show that human life is the search to know experientially the God of of infinite wisdom and love, who creates, sanctifies, and ultimately brings to fulfillment the whole of created reality in and through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is truly God and truly human.

Many people say that Saint Thomas was a genius. While that may be true, far more important was the fact that he was wise. Dominicans today continue to be influenced by his thought and wisdom - and are also captured by his example that instills a lifelong love of learning in the search for God. For those interested in the Order and who might feel they have a vocation to follow Saint Thomas as a Dominican friar could ask through his intercession to be brought to grow in wisdom.

My Dominican Vocation - Br Damian Polly OP

2012-01-26T23:33:00.000Z

One of our student brothers, Bro Damian Polly OP, recently gave a short talk on the Dominican vocation and charism and also an insight on how he came to join the Order himself. The talk was given at the National University of Ireland at Maynooth in Co. Kildare at the invitation of the John Paul II society based there.

Bro Damian joined the Order in 2009, having previously worked in media and also for a Catholic organisation promoting chastity. He is now pursuing philosophical studies in NUI Maynooth.

The talk can be accessed here. Please also visit the excellent website of our Dominican student brothers www.dominicansinteractive.com

Letter of Master of the Order on 'Dominican women and evangelisation'.

2012-01-25T20:00:00.001Z

As part of the ongoing preparation for the eight hundreth anniversary of the foundation of the Dominican Order in 2016, the Master of the Order fr Bruno Cadore has written an excellent letter on 'Dominican women and evangelisation'.

As he states in the letter: "As part of the Dominican family, women - nuns, apostolic sisters, Dominican lay women, and members of secular institutes - make an essential contribution to the evangelising mission of the Order." It is an excellent reflection on preaching and the dedication of Dominicans (men and women) to the centrality of the word of God. It is well worth reading and can be accessed here.

Vocations weekend.

2012-01-20T11:24:00.000Z

Saint Mary's Dominican Priory, Pope's Quay, Cork

The first vocations weekend of 2012 take place in our novitiate community in Saint Mary's priory, Cork, from this evening until Sunday afternoon. These weekends are an integral and important aspect of the discernment process for those interested in joining the Order because it gives them an insight into the life, work and ministry of the friars at first hand. This 'experiential' module of the discernment undertaken by enquirers also allows them to clarify many of the issues pertaining to our life that will inevitably arise during the time spent with the vocations director in preparation for a 'vocations weekend'.

The nature of 'vocation' weekends has changed considerably over the past number of years. In the Irish Dominican province, the participants on these weekends are by invitation only. The 'open invitation' model of attracting enquirers to such weekends are a thing of the past because they have proved somewhat counter-productive in our experience - primarily because encountering individuals for the first time at a vocations weekend is not at all best practice. In my view, a participant on a vocations weekend would need to be very well known to the friars and the vocations director for a period of time to ascertain his seriousness and suitability to enter into this level of discernment.

Please pray for the success of our first vocations weekend of 2012, and especially for those participating in it.

Pope Benedict on Vocations - Sunday January 15th 2012

2012-01-16T14:49:00.000Z

Yesterday (January 15th 2012) during the Angelus in Saint Peter's Square in Rome, Pope Benedict spoke on vocations. His reflection was prompted by the Gospel passage for the second Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) which was from Saint John's Gospel: "The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed 'Look, there is the Lamb of God!' The two disciples heard him say this and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, 'What are you looking for?' They said to him, 'Rabbi, where are you staying?' He said to them, 'Come and see.'

The Holy Father in his reflection points out that the call to follow Jesus more closely and dedicating oneself to a vocation in the service of the church usually comes from the 'testimony' or a 'suggestion' of another person - often a priest or religious. This has been a constant and important theme on vocation for Pope Benedict, namely that the witness of others is a very important in prompting men and women to consider a religious or priestly vocation. Anyone involved in vocation ministry will understand how true this is and ought not to underestimate its importance.

Irish Dominicans announce details of launch of Prayer Initiative for Vocations

2012-01-06T12:38:00.001Z

The Irish Dominican friars are pleased to announce the launch of a prayer initiative for vocations. As the initiative of prayer is for all Dominican vocations, we are delighted that the formal launch will take place in the monastery of Saint Catherine of Siena, Drogheda, Co Louth on Sunday January 15th during the 9.00 am community Mass for the Dominican nuns.

The prayer initiative will have as a focus an icon of Saint Dominic (pictured) which has been specially commissioned for this time of prayer. It is hoped that the image of the founder of the Dominican Order will draw people to reflect on his life and legacy and in turn, through his intercession, draw more men and women to follow the Lord in the Dominican way.

After the official launch in Siena monastery in Drogheda, the icon will remain with the sisters for two weeks as they take on the responsibility to pray for the success of the initiative. After those two weeks, the icon will be brought to the various Dominican priory churches located throughout Ireland. It is envisaged that the icon will remain in each location for approximately a month at a time to allow those who attend Mass and worship in our churches an opportunity to take time to pray for Dominican vocations.

Siena monastery, Drogheda, Co Louth

The Irish Dominican friars are very fortunate to already have many groups associated with it who pray regularly for vocations. It is our earnest hope that this initiative will broaden that base of people who pray for vocations to the Order but also encourage others to take on this task in collaboration with us.

This initiative begins at a time when there is a renewed interest in the various vocations to the Dominicans in Ireland, but it is also in the context of a culture that is often hostile to vibrant Catholicism and hostile to the notion of commitment to God through a vocation. The Irish Dominican friars hope that this effort will help towards building a culture where we regularly pray for vocations and help foster an environment where vocations are actively encouraged.

Vocations Director - New Contact Details

2012-01-05T11:00:00.000Z

As I will be moving to our community at Saint Saviour's, Dublin over the next few days, I would like to inform readers of this blog of the change in correspondence details. From January 15th next I can be contacted at the following postal address:

Vocations Director

Dominican Community

Saint Saviour's Priory

Upper Dorset Street

Dublin 1

The telephone contact details are as follows:

+353 1 8897613

Email enquiries to the following address:

frgd@eircom.net

Continue to visit the vocations website:

www.dominicanfriars.ie

Irish Dominican Vocations - Review of 2011

2011-12-31T15:36:00.001Z

2011 has been a very positive year for vocations to the Irish province of Dominican friars. The stand-out events for the past year were the reception of five novices in September to our novitiate (a further novice will be clothed with the habit of the Order later next month - January 2012), the first profession of three of our brothers during the calendar year, the solemn (perpetual) profession of another three of our brothers during the months of August and September and, of course, we had three of our brothers ordained to the priesthood in 2011. While the Irish Dominicans rejoice in the goodness of God to the province in recent years in terms of vocations, we are more than mindful that still much more needs to be done and that we have a duty to continue to attract men to our way of life for the preaching of the Gospel in our world.

Below are some further highlights of 2011:

January: The year began with the ordination to the diaconate of three of our brothers (Denis Murphy OP, Maurice Colgan OP and Brian Doyle OP) by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin in Saint Saviour's, Dublin on January 2nd. January 2011 was important too for the Lay Dominicans in Ireland - two new members were received in Dublin, which began a trend during the year - with new young members being received in Tralee and Kilkenny also.

February: The Dominican nuns at Siena monastery in Drogheda, Co. Louth gave the habit to Sr M Cathy OP on February 2nd and she began her novitiate training. Pope Benedict issued in advance his letter to the church for Vocations Sunday 2011 - the theme being: Proposing Vocations in the Local Church.

March: The third annual Dominican family vocations day took place on March 26th in Cabra. This was an opportunity for men and women interested in the four branches of the Dominican family in Ireland to come together to meet the lay Dominicans, friars, apostolic sisters and nuns for a day of reflection and information. Irish Dominican Vocations also signed up to 'Twitter' in March and has been tweeting regularly since!

April: A historic event took place on April 16th in St Mary's priory church in Cork as our brother Stephen Cummins OP made his first profession. Stephen, who had been a priest of the diocese of Cloyne, became the first priest in 61 years to make profession as an Irish Dominican. It was also in April in that Irish Dominican Vocations received the news that he would be Rome bound for the first ever Catholic bloggers meeting in the Vatican organised by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

May: The first days of May were spent in Rome at the Catholic bloggers meeting in Rome. It was a unique experience and a great privilege to be there. To coincide with Vocations Sunday a new dedicated vocations website for the Irish Dominican friars was launched: www.dominicanfrairs.ie. May also saw the lauch of a new initiative of Vocations Ireland called 'Explore Away' - a discernment programme for men and women interested in religious life in Ireland. This was a welcome development.

June: There were three significant events during the month of June. Firstly, the Master of the Dominican Order, fr Bruno Cadore OP visited Ireland. I was delighted to have a brief private meeting with fr Bruno where we had a wide ranging discussion on all aspects of vocation ministry. He was very encouraging. Secondly, the Dominican nuns at Siena monastery in Drogheda celebrated the final profession of Sr Mary Teresa Dunphy OP. This blogger was especially proud of this event because of the fact that Sr Teresa is from County Laois! And finally, interviews for admission to the novitiate took place and were successfully completed.

July: The summer months bring some respite for vocations personnel, thankfully. However, in Ireland, as has been the case for my twelve years as vocations director, yet another report on the mis-management and mis-handling of abuse of minors and young people by the Irish church was published. This 'ongoing crisis' has been the constant backdrop for vocations ministry in Ireland for a long time now. It makes a difficult ministry even more difficult.

August: The highlight during August was the final profession of our brother Matthew Martinez OP in his native Trinidad. Some of the friars of the Irish province were in attendance, including this blogger for the joyful event. Bro Matthew has since returned to Ireland to continue his theological studies.

September: September was an exceptionally busy month. The ordinations to the priesthood of our brothers Brian Doyle OP, Denis Murphy OP and Maurice Colgan OP took place. In mid-September, the Irish Dominicans celebrated the soelmn professions of Luuk Jansen OP and Colm Mannion OP and the first professions of Paul Hughes OP and Alan Hopkins OP. Five men were received as novices in the Order and were clothed with the habit on September 14th. They were: Kevin O Reilly, Gearard Flynn, Murchadh O Madagain, Christophe Cole and Sean Crepin.

October: This month sees this blogger take off around the country and abroad on what is the 'real meat' of vocations ministry - meeting and discerning with candidates and taking the opportunity to promote the Dominican vocation in schools, colleges and third-level institutes.

November: Co-operation between the various branches of the Dominican family in Ireland is crucial to the promotion and fostering of Dominican vocations. I regularly meet with the vocation promoters of the other branches of the Dominican family in Ireland exploring ways to best do this. During this month I have been privileged to work with members of a new lay Dominican group attached to Queens University in Belfast who will be officially erected in January 2012.

December: This month is a continuation of the ongoing meetings with interested candidates and also planning and preparation for the first six months of 2012 take place. And this blogger looks forward to the Christmas holidays.

The year just gone has been overshadowed by one major event. It was the death of my beloved mother, Bridget Dunne, who died on February 23rd after a long illness. I owe much to her. She had a great love for the Dominicans and always had a keen interest in my work as vocations director. If you get to read to the end of this blog entry, you might just pause and say a prayer for the repose of her soul.

Happy Christmas from Irish Dominican Vocations

2011-12-24T08:48:00.000Z

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the readers of this blog every joy and blessing. While Christmas is a joyful time, it also affords us an opportunity to look back and be thankful. The friars of the Irish Dominican province are extremely grateful for all the encouragement and support for their work and ministry and especially for vocations ministry. We are acutely aware that it is because of your help and prayerful support that we can continue this work. We thank God for those who have responded to the call of God to follow Him in the Dominican way, and pray that the Lord will continue to bless the Irish Dominicans with vocations in the year ahead.

Again, deepest thanks and have a blessed Christmas!

Fr Gerard Dunne OP

Dominican Vocation Events 2012

2011-12-21T18:09:00.000Z

The Vocations office of the Irish Dominican friars is pleased to announce the following events for the opening months of 2012. Full and comprehensive details of all these upcoming events will be posted in the coming days.

Sunday January 15th 2012: A prayer initiative for Dominican vocations will be launched. An icon of Saint Dominic has been commissioned and will be used as a focus of prayer in the many Dominican locations throughout Ireland. It is envisaged that those who worship and pray in our churches and centres throughout the country will join with us in praying for vocations to the Dominican way of life. It is hoped that this campaign of prayer will be a significant boost to the many groups of people who already pray on a regular basis for vocations to the Order.

Friday January 20th to Sunday January 22nd 2012: The first formal vocations weekend for those interested in the vocation of the Dominican friars will be held at our novitiate community - Saint Mary's Priory, Pope's Quay, Cork. This is an opportunity for those discerning the call to follow the Lord as a friar to meet with the brethren and to enter into the life, prayer and work of the novitiate over the period of a weekend.

March 24th 2012: The fourth annual Dominican Family vocations day takes place at the Dominican priory of Saint Saviour's, Upper Dorset Street, Dublin 1. This is an opportunity for those men and women who are interested in the four 'branches' of the Dominican family (nuns, lay Dominicans, frairs and apostolic sisters) to come together for a day of information and reflection on the Dominican life, spirituality and charism. There will be guest speakers and all participants will get to meet with members of the various branches of the Order in Ireland. Booking is essential for this event.

Friday March 30th to Sunday April 1st 2012: The second formal vocations weekend for those men interested in the life of the Dominican friars in Ireland takes place. It will again be hosted by the Dominican community at Saint Mary's Priory in Cork city. Other vocation weekends on a non-formal basis are also arranged throughout the year by the vocations director.

For information on any or all of these events, please contact me at frgd@eircom.net

'We have almost screamed at the Holy Spirit for vocations....'

2011-12-19T11:57:00.000Z

An interesting article in the widely read Irish newspaper the Irish Independent this weekend carried the quote which is the title of this blog entry. The article was trying to predict what the Irish church might look like in the year 2020. It is worth quoting in full: "We have almost screamed at the Holy Spirit for vocations but He doesn't seem to be hearing us. Maybe He is saying there is a different way, which might involve dropping the rule of celibacy. When you weigh the value of celibacy against regular access to the Eucharist, obviously, in the theology of the church, the Eucharist is much more important. The leadership of the church has to start taking its head out of the sand."

The quote is from a Columban priest Fr Sean McDonagh who is one of the founders of the Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland. This association of priests represents around 10% of the priests in Ireland with approximately 500 members.

There are many reasons to be perplexed by the quote from Fr McDonagh but the suggestion that the Irish church has 'almost screamed' at the Holy Spirit for vocations is a downright untruth. In my 12 years as vocations director for the Irish Dominican friars I have had occasion on a weekly basis to travel the length and breadth of Ireland to attend Mass, meetings, gatherings of clergy, religious and lay people and all sorts of other religious events and I could count on one hand the amount of times that I have heard a prayer for vocations to priesthood and religious life. This is hardly an experience of 'screaming' - it is more like a faint whisper. Fr McDonagh and I will clearly not agree on many things but we might on one issue - the distinct lack of leadership in the Irish church when it comes to vocations (by vocations I clearly mean priesthood and religious life). Let it be unambiguously said that in Ireland there is no plan, no strategy, no prayer, no leadership around vocations. In fact, if anything, the sacred calling is being completely undermined and watered down by the persistent attempts of leadership to promote co-workers, associates and other well-intentioned people. It is a pity that the untruths around vocations in Ireland are used to fuel other agendas.

Redemptorist ordination is a sign of hope

2011-12-07T13:37:00.000Z

The ordination to the priesthood of Derek Ryan CSsR at the weekend in Dundalk, Co. Louth is a sign of hope for the religious orders of men in Ireland. The fact that there are so few ordinations to the priesthood in our country means that such events are now big news in religious circles and in the media.

Ordinations and religious professions are signs of hope for the church and the world, but they ought not allow us to rest on our laurels as vocations ministers/directors. I am reminded of the words of Pope Benedict when he visited Bavaria in 2006. Speaking to priests and deacons he said, "We cannot simply recruit people by using the right kind of publicity or the correct type of strategy. The call which comes from the heart of God must always find its way into the heart of humanity. And yet, precisely so that it may reach into hearts, our cooperation is needed."

Vocational discernment begins in the heart of the individual. For it to begin and flourish, the primary task of a vocations director involves enabling young and not so young people to develop their relationship with God.

Vocations discernment then, has two core elements. Firstly, at some point the individual begins to feel a specific calling or simply a desire to serve God and others more generously. That personal discernment can lead to fear sometimes and even feeling uncomfortable. Secondly, the Church has a role to play in order to confirm signs of a genuine vocation. Usually, this begins formally with the vocations director and is carried through and brought to completion by the admission process ans the subsequent years of formation. However, a vocations director also has a crucial role in accompanying individuals - helping them to clarify their call, strengthening their commitment and allaying potential fears.

The hope and prayer of all of us is that the newly ordained priest will have received all the necessary support from vocation directors and formation personnel to bring him to this important step of his journey. Irish Dominican Vocations congratulates Fr Derek and the Redemptorist congregation in Ireland on this happy event.

Irish Dominican friars feature on OneBillionStories.com

2011-12-05T20:42:00.000Z

OneBillionStories.com is a unique website which was set up almost two years ago. The purpose of the website is to "inspire devotion to Jesus Christ by sharing Catholics' personal stories on the 'digital continent' that are rooted in fidelity to the Church through contemporary communication mediums."

One of the founders of OneBillionStories.com is currently in Ireland. His name is Steve Seguin and is touring Ireland on bicycle with a view to tell the world about the Catholic faith in Ireland. I had occasion to meet Steve on a couple of occasions at the beginning of his journey. He is an extraordinary man with a passion for Christ and spreading the Good News. Perhaps he should be a Dominican!

Two of our brothers, Luuk Jansen OP and David Barrins OP feature on the website as Steve travels throughout Ireland. Brother Luuk explains his journey to becoming a Catholic and eventually a Dominican friar while fr David reflects on the faith of young people and being a chaplain in an Irish university in Cork.

'Ears to Hear' - Irish Dominican Students

2011-11-29T11:27:00.000Z

'Ears to Hear' is a series of reflections prepared by the student brothers of the Irish Dominican province. The series will have two online broadcasts per week, each consisting of a short reading from a spiritual classic , itself preceded by a brief introduction.

'Ears to Hear' begins with the season of Advent and is the result of the desire of our Dominican student brothers to make some spiritual classics of the Christian tradition accessible to those willing to listen over the internet. The first four weeks of 'Ears to Hear' will contain excerpts from the Church's cycle of formal prayer - from the writings of the saints and other Christian writers rather than from the Bible.

In launching 'Ears to Hear' the student brothers explained that the series would contain writings from a great variety of spiritual greats, from the Rhineland mystics to Saint Augustine of Hippo, from Saint Gregory Nazianzen to the many anonymous poets and preachers who have witnessed to the Truth.

To learn more about 'Ears to Hear', please visit the website of the Irish Dominican students here.

Questions and Answers on Discernment.....

2011-11-28T18:51:00.001Z

Many people who make contact with the Dominican friars in Ireland often ask what vocational discernment is about. For most enquirers it is a completely new experience. So, in answer to those who ask what discernment of a vocation is, I will try to answer in a question and answer format. I hope readers will find it helpful.

What is a vocation?
Vocation comes from the Latin verb 'vocare' which means 'to call'. It is a calling from God who made us, loves us and has a plan for each of us. Vocational discernment then is not just about making a lifestyle choice or a career path - instead it starts in faith where God is acknowledged as the source of a vocation. Fundamentally, discernment of a vocation involves God in the decision making process in two ways: prayer and listening (to God's will).

Does God give vocations to everyone?
In brief, yes. It is important to state at the outset that God desires our happiness. Those trying to understand vocation can find this hard to believe - sometimes fearing that God will ask us to do something that we will either hate or will not be able to do. The church reminds us that we are fulfilled as human beings through self-giving. So, vocation is not just something given to us by God, but also something we freely give to God and to others.

Am I turning away from God if I do not follow my vocation?
Discernment of a vocation helps a person to understand that because a vocation is something we give to God, then we must be free to make this choice. In our lives, God gives us a multiplicity of choices - marriage, religious life and the single life. We have the freedom to pursue all sorts of career paths. If we are not in a place in life where we are free to commit to a vocation (for example because of immaturity, or fear, or addiction) then we must face up to that knowing that the Lord will help us through the process. It is important that we must not believe, as many people in discernment do, that God will reject us if we make the wrong choice. While God does really call us to vocation, God also respects our freedom and never abandons us.

How will I know that God is calling me?
Many of the great spiritual people in the history of the church, including the saints and others, remind us that spiritual growth begins in self-knowledge. God will make us holy through our vocation - in other words, God will sanctify us. Generally, the grace of our vocation will build upon this nature. When we become aware of our gifts and talents and our weaknesses - these can help us in our understanding and insight of what type of vocations are possible and those that we should not pursue. Also, through prayer and other means, it is important to listen to our hearts and to be attentive to those relationships and activities that give us both a sense of peace and joy. Our desires and motivations are also quite significant - they can sometimes be the manifestation of the Holy Spirit showing us how to respond to God's call.When we are attentive in prayer and when our hearts are open, then we will heard God calling us more clearly.

What is the best way to prepare for discernment?
Authentic Christian vocations are always rooted in Jesus Christ. In order to know as best as we can what God's will in our life is, it is of the highest importance that we first come to know Jesus Christ and begin to model our lives on Him. Those who wish to enter more fully into discernment must also encounter Jesus in the sacramental life of the church. So, regularly participating in the Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation are two ways in which to prepare for discernment. Before we are apostles, we need to be disciples!

Will my being active in the life of the church help discernment?
Yes. Very much so. It is of great benefit if an enquirer is involved in his/her faith community or parish or chaplaincy. It is by taking part in the life of the church that will inform, support and help a discerning person to naturally respond to the call of God.

Can I undertake vocational discernment alone?
No. You should really contact a vocations director - someone who has some training in assisting people discern their vocation. Also, friends and family members will always be able to give important insights and support. In fact, the more support the better in entering such an important process. Occasionally, the help of a spiritual director can also be helpful if deemed appropriate by the vocations director. Discerners should never forget calling on the saints in their prayer for assistance either!

Am I worthy?
This is the most frequent question posed by enquirers and those who enter into the process of vocational discernment. The simple answer is that nobody is. We are all very well aware of our sinfulness. The church reminds us and scripture tells us that whatever we have done in the past, God still can use us for his purposes. When you find yourself doubting and questioning your worthiness, consider who Jesus called around him. You will find yourself in good company!

When does vocational discernment end?
It ends when after a period of prayer, practical experience, information gathering, regular meeting with the vocations director and personal reflection have led a candidate to make a mature decision on whether to pursue a religious vocation or not. The majority of those who enter into vocational discernment do not end up entering religious life or seminaries - but the process of discernment leads them to a better understanding of where God is calling them to in their lives. For those who do opt to pursue their religious vocation, they enter into a process of admission into the order and congregation. Many who enter discernment do so looking for assurances, clarity and certainty. They will not find this but will find the necessary tools to help them come to an informed decision.

What topics are covered in vocational discernment and how long does it all take?
There are five primary areas that a vocations director should help you with. (1) Personal history and background. This will help and inform candidates and the order/congregation about the one who wishes to join. (2) Motivation - this is a wide area covering the spiritual, human, emotional, intellectual and psychological spheres. (3) Faith, God and the spiritual journey - this is a vast undertaking but is at the core of vocational discernment. (4) Information - the vocations director is responsible for making the Order/congregation known to the discerner by means of dissemination of information, regular visits to the communities and getting to know individual members and groups within the Order/congregation. (5) If discerning religious life, discernment will include an understanding of the vowed life and those core principles of religious life.

The time spent in discernment varies from person to person, but ordinarily it takes on year and occassionaly longer - depending on circumstances.

There are many other topics on discernment that could be dealt with, and I hope to address them in subsequent posts on this area.

Dominican Family Ireland - Calendar 2012

2011-11-18T11:15:00.000Z

The vocation promoters of the four branches of the Dominican family in Ireland (friars, contemplative nuns, lay Dominicans and apostolic sisters) have for the third successive year produced a calendar. Each year a particular theme is chosen to highlight the life of the Dominicans and any other important church events during the calendar year.

Next year, Ireland and the capital city Dublin will host the 50th International Eucharistic Congress. It will be a major event in the life of the Irish church and will draw visitors from all over the world. The Dominican family calendar for 2012 therefore has a strong emphasis on the Eucharist and its important place in our lives.

The calendar is beautifully produced and we are very grateful for the immense work carried out on behalf of the Dominican family in Ireland by our contemplative nuns at Siena monastery in Drogheda who are primarily responsible for its production. Copies of the calendar, which is free, will be distributed to all Dominican centres throughout Ireland in the coming weeks. If readers would like a copy, send me an email to frgd@eircom.net and I will forward one to you.

The Nine Ways of Prayer of Saint Dominic

2011-11-13T19:47:00.000Z

Saint Dominic was a man of prayer, both formally and informally. We are told that his nights were given to God in deep prayer. Dominic stood in prayer with his arms extended as if he were on a cross. During the days and more informally in the evenings, Dominic lived his prayer in service for others, always keeping in mind the reason why the Order was founded the salvation of souls. In the brief explanations below to the various ways in which Dominic prayed, we might remember that our own prayer lives, as Dominicans and those who would consider following the Dominican way, must extend beyond formality and into the practice of life situations. In attempting to do this, we incorporate the Gospel into our life's work and leisure so that our whole life is prayer.

The first way of prayer of Saint Dominic

Saint Dominic's first way of prayer was to assume a humble posture before God, one that emphasised his own lowliness before the greatness of God. Here we see Saint Dominic inclining his head before the altar of God.

The second way of prayer of Saint Dominic

The second way of prayer was for Saint Dominic to life face down before the altar of God reciting the verse from Saint Luke's gospel (18:13): 'Lord be merciful to me a sinner.' It is said that Dominic taught the young friars that if they were unable to weep for their own sins that there were many in need of God's mercy

The third way of prayer of Saint Dominic

Saint Dominic's third way of prayer was to perform penance by disciplining himself with an iron chain. The practice of this type of discipline may seem odd or extreme in our modern world but clearly self-discipline is needed and vital to mature spiritual growth.

The fourth way of prayer of Saint Dominic

Saint Dominic had this fourth way of prayer that sees him remaining before the altar looking at the Cross with frequent genuflections. He had a deep confidence in the mercy of God for himself, for sinners and also for the young friars that he sent out to teach and preach.

The fifth way of prayer of Saint Dominic

Saint Dominic's fifth way of prayer was to stand before the altar in contemplation with the palms of his hands turned inwards. Then he would clasp his hands and raise them to his shoulders all the while in fervent prayer. Again, he taught the friars by his example of prayer. It is said of Dominic that when he was travelling on the road that he would steal away, and standing still utter a word from sacred scripture.

The sixth way of prayer of Saint Dominic

Saint Dominic often prayed with his arms outstretched in the form of a cross. He would often quote scripture appropriate to this posture: 'O Lord, the God of my salvation, I have cried in the day and night before you....' It is said that he practiced this method of prayer on special occasions and also this way of prayer is the one remembered when he restored the life of a young man in Rome.

The seventh way of prayer of Saint Dominic

Saint Dominic was often found standing erect stretching his whole body upwards with his hands joined and raised towards heaven. Often he would open his hands as though in receipt of something. The friars would hear him praying aloud saying: 'Hear O God, the voice of my prayer when I pray to you, when I lift up my hands to your holy temple.' (Psalm 27)

The eighth way of prayer of Saint Dominic

Saint Dominic's eighth way of prayer involved thoughtful reading of scripture or scripture commentary. He would lose himself both intellectually and emotionally in this reading, sometimes whispering questions posed in the text. When reading the Gospels, Dominic would sometimes lean forward, make the sign of the cross as if thanking God for some spiritual insight. He would often weep as if overcome with the beauty of the word of God.

The ninth way of prayer of Saint Dominic

Saint Dominic practiced his ninth and final way of prayer while travelling, losing himself in prayer, meditation and contemplation as he walked.

This is a brief introduction to the 'Nine Ways'. They show Saint Dominic as one who was zealous in his prayer and who had a simple and ascetic lifestyle. He responded to physical discomfort by praising God and made austerity into a form of prayer. More than anything these nine ways of prayer of Saint Dominic points us to the fact that the pursuit of worldly things is futile and that the primary importance for Dominicans and all of humanity is our spiritual union with God.

Vocations Ireland AGM 2011

2011-11-04T20:44:00.000Z

Tomorrow, Saturday 5th November, I will attend the annual general meeting of Vocations Ireland. Regular readers of this blog will be aware that Vocations Ireland is the umbrella organisation for the religious vocation directors/promoters for the religious congregations in Ireland. The organisation also represents the missionary societies, contemplative communities and other religious institutes with a presence in Ireland. The organisation is responsible for assisting vocation directors by organising appropriate seminars and conferences during the year. It also deals with enquirers about religious life and tries to match them with appropriate orders. It promotes religious vocations at various events across the county during the year. During the past number of months it has promoted and supported the ExploreAway project. It has a wide remit.

Having attended the bulk of the annual meetings over the past decade or so, it strikes me that the religious vocations personnel in Ireland are a very optimistic group. In a sense they have to be. Despite the modest increase in enquiries across the board to male and female religious orders, it has not significantly impacted on the numbers of new members joining. It would be easy to be downcast, even fatalistic. Vocation personnel are a resilient lot, although there is a high rate of attrition among them. Clearly, an organisation like Vocations Ireland is important as a support system and network for all of us. I am aware that some, though obviously not all vocation directors do not get adequate support from their congregations. For those working full time in this ministry, they will be aware that it is a distinctly lonely job and support is crucial.

Comparing Vocations Ireland to other comparable groups in various parts of the world is a fruitless exercise. Ultimately the upkeep and running of the office is dependent on the goodwill and financial assistance of the religious in Ireland, so the organisation does not have limitless resources. In an ideal world, the religious vocations directors would be best served if Vocations Ireland could have the capacity to be more pro-active in the promotion of the religious vocation. It would benefit hugely from having serious research done as an aid and assistance to short, medium and long term planning and strategies. The membership would also be served well by having personnel who are well trained in dealing with the various media available and by extension be a clear voice for the promotion of religious vocations. But I sense that we are a long way from that.

In the meantime, keep these vocation directors in your prayers. They are in great need of them!

November 3rd - feast of Saint Martin de Porres

2011-11-03T11:34:00.000Z

It is the feast of Saint Martin de Porres. He is my favourite saint. He is the reason that I am a Dominican. For years in our home we received the devotional Saint Martin magazine and it was in reply to an advertisment about Dominican vocations in the magazine that I made my intial contact with the Order. I am covinced that it was no accident.

When people think of Saint Martin they often sum up his life with a few words about his healing powers and his love of animals. To sum up the life of this great saint would be to do a great dis-service.

Among other things Saint Martin is the patron saint of interracial justice. Looking at the problems of our contemporary world through the perspective of Saint Martin's life, I believe that we can find many insightful answers. Our world is littered still with many injustices - Martin modelled a response to the injustices heaped upon him because of his mixed racial background. He showed us that our most important heritage is that of children of God, a heritage in which we all share equally. He saw each person as a child of God and served each the same, from the beggar in the street to the highest church or civil leader. His humility and gentle spirit fianlly brought him not only acceptance, but also reverence from people in all walks of life. In the beginning he was condescendingly called the 'black dog' but he was later carried to his burial place by people in the highest positions in his native Lima.

For those considering a vocation in general or indeed a Dominican vocation - Saint Martin is a model of perseverance in this regard. He had to fight hard to be accepted into the Order - he was not always treated very well by his brethren either - we often make mistakes of turning away the Saint Martin's who ask to be accepted. We would do well to take another fresh look at how the great saint would interpret it all.

Saint Martin, pray for us.

World Youth Day 2011 - A Look Back

2011-11-01T23:24:00.001Z

Some of the student brothers of the Irish Dominican province accompanied over 50 young adults to the World Youth Day celebrations in Madrid, Spain during the summer. On the way to Madrid they visited some important sites of note, including places associated with Saint Dominic and the beginnings of the Dominican Order. The first video below shows some of the highlights of the trip while in the second video the student brothers reflect on a successful pilgrimage.

New Publication: 'The Dominican Way'

2011-10-29T19:24:00.001+01:00

I have just finished reading a new book 'The Dominican Way' edited by Lucette Verboven with an introduction by English Dominican Timothy Radcliffe OP. It is published by Continuum, runs to just over 200 pages and is reasonably priced in Ireland at €12.95.

The author is a Flemish writer and film producer and interviewed 17 contemporary Dominicans both male and female about their lives as members of the Order of Preachers. It is a fascinating read, because almost all who are interviewed give an account of their reasons for joining the Order. Some are well known - Timothy Radcliffe, Jean Jacques Perennes, Kim en Joong, Helen Alford - others less so. But it is the contribution of Irish Dominican nun Sr Breda Carroll of the Dominican community at Siena monastery in Drogheda that caught my attention more than most. When asked in the interview for this book what her greatest joy is, she responds 'The joy of being here (in Siena monastery, Drogheda). If I had to start over, I would choose it again. The words that come to my mind are those of Blessed Reginald, quoted by Blessed Jordan of Saxony in his book the Libellus that tells the story of the foundation of the Order. He says that he had no merit because he experienced such joy in the Order. I can identify with those words: I love liturgy, Eucharistic adoration, community life. Living in community which hasn't always been painless, has brought me a great joy because we are basically a united community. I often wonder why God chose me from an insignificant family and an insignificant background to enter a monastery. I can only marvel at God's goodness to me.'

Sr Breda's contribution above in many ways mirrors those other Dominican men and women interviewed for this excellent book. It is a timely reminder for those interested in joining our way of life that there are a thousand reasons for wanting to be a Dominican but there is only one reason why we ultimately stay.

This book will now become essential reading for all new enquirers to the Dominican way of life.

Upcoming vocations documentary on BBC television

2011-10-22T18:21:00.000+01:00

Readers of this blog, especially those in Ireland and the UK, might like to know of an interesting vocations documentary to be shown on BBC1 on Tuesday next at 22.35.

Entitled Young Nuns, the documentary follows the stories of two women in their mid-twenties who are considering becoming nuns. The producer/director of the piece, Vicky Mitchell, gave an interview recently to The Tablet in which she gives some background and insights to those she interviewed in the making of the programme. She noted that one of the reasons for undertaking the project was because of a study by the National Office for Vocation of the Church in Engalnd and Wales in 2010. That study revealed that a small but significant incresase in the number of women joining contemplative communities. Ms Mitchell states: "I am ashamed to admit that when I started the project I had all sorts of preconceptions about the type of women who would choose to enter a convent, and conversations with colleagues and friends revealed that I was not alone. Most people assumed they would be either women who had led enormously cosseted lives or (and this was by far the most common myth I encountered) that they must be suffering from a broken heart or some other such trauma and looking to somehow escape the world. Both of these stereotypes were well and truly undrmined as soon as I started to meet the women in question."

During her research, the producer spoke to approximately 15 women who were actively discerning a vocation to reigious life. Ms Mitchell says that, without exception, they were all bright, independent, sociable and had great career prospects. Their backgrounds varied significantly - some were cradle Catholics, some were converts. When she asked the women what they were looking for in a community, they explained that, rather than fulfilling a list of their own criteria, it was about working out where God wanted them to be.

Those interviewed admitted that some congregations were more attractive than others. The majority wanted to wear a habit as a sign that procalimed their commitment, and they wanted to be part of communities that had an emphasis on daily community prayer. In trying to discover why women would make this radical choice in 2011, Vicky Mitchell concludes that these women feel called by God to devote their lives to him and that in so doing they will find a deep happiness and fulfillment that transcends all that they have given up.

Vicky Mitchell's interview in the preparation and promotion of the documentary gives me some hope that it will not set out to stereotype entrants and discerners to religious life at this time. I look forward to watching it.

Incidentally, in my eleven years as vocations director, I have been approached by a number of documentary makers who wanted to do something similar to this BBC programme. Unfortunately, religious orders in Ireland found it very difficult to consent to such requests. I am not sure of the reasons but one can speculate that there is a fear in exposure, a fear that religious would be shown in a negative light and an overarching fear that religious would not be able to control the content of the outcomes of such programmes. That is such a pity. I wish a similar type of documentary could be made in Ireland if for no other reaon than to put to bed the lie that those joining religious life and priesthood today are mad!

Dominican nuns in Cusco, Peru - solemn profession video

2011-10-20T21:40:00.000+01:00

The video above is of the celebration of the solemn professions of two cloistered Dominican nuns in Cusco, Peru. I was taken by the elaborate nature of the ceremony - something that we are not quite used to in our western culture. Also, the music accompanying the video caught my attention - the 'Flower Duet' - appropriate to the video.

Solemn profession in the Dominican tradition is the giving of oneself through the vows of povery, chastity and obedience to God in the following of Saint Dominic.

New Irish National Vocations Director and team

2011-10-18T12:00:00.000+01:00

Newly appointed National Vocations Director Fr Willie Purcell, Bishop Donal McKeown and Fr Paddy Rushe.

Fr Willie Purcell of the diocese of Ossory has been appointed head of the new 'leadership team' of the National Conference of Dioceasn Vocation Directors in Ireland. He and his team take over from Fr Paddy Rushe (Armagh diocese) who has held this post for the past five years. Fr Willie will be assisted by Fr Eamonn Bourke (Dublin), Fr Ignatius McCormack (Killaloe), Fr Muredach Tuffy (Killala) and Fr Rory Brady (Raphoe).

In wishing Fr Willie and his team all the best in the years ahead, Irish Dominican Vocations would like to pay tribute and offer thanks to Fr Paddy Rushe the outgoing national director. Fr Paddy has done an excellent job in the promotion of vocations during a very difficult period in the life of the Irish Catholic church. His enthusiasm was vital during the Year of Vocation which took place during the middle of his term and the success of that venture is in many ways due to him. He has fostered strong links and deepened the relationship between the dioceasn vocation directors and the religious vocation teams in Ireland. It is fair to say that the Irish church owes him a real debt for his sterling service.

Roscrea Cistercians celebrate solemn profession

2011-10-18T11:34:00.001+01:00

Br Malachy during his profession in the Cistercian monastery Roscrea

In an era when vocations to the contemplative religious orders of men in Ireland are scarce, the news that the Cistercian community at Mount Saint Joseph Abbey in Roscrea, Co Tipperary have celebrated their first solemn profession in nine years is heartening.

On Saturday last (October 15th) Br Malachy (Paul) Thompson who is originally from Finglas in Dublin made his final (solemn) profession in the presence of the Cistercian community and his family and friends. A sales manager for twenty years, Br Malachy entered the monastery in 2006 at the age of 41. Speaking after the profession ceremony, he said that despite his good career the question of vocation never left him. 'I battled it for years, but it kept coming back. It was a slow realisation that God was calling me to the monastic life.' Br Malachy's vocation story should give some encouragement to those men in their thirties and forties who feel that they have a vocation to not give up. It is clear that the Lord calls not just the young, but at various stages in life.

Irish Dominican Vocations congratulates Br Malachy and the Cistercian community at Roscrea and prays that more vocations will flow from this commitment.

Vocations 'App' launched by Irish Diocesan Vocation Directors

2011-10-18T11:10:00.000+01:00

A new 'vocations app' that can be downloaded to a mobile device such as an Iphone has just been launched. This 'app' which is considered to be the first of its kind was launched yesterday by Bishop Donal McKeown (chair of the Vocations commission of the Irish bishops conference). The app was designed by Fr Patrick Rushe, the outgoing national vocations director and developed by a media company in Dublin. The purpose of the 'app' is to enable access to other social networking sites, to contact details for vocations directors in all the dioceses in Ireland, to test potential candidate's knowledge on vocation, to give answers to many frequently asked questions regarding vocation and to provide a news feed to the parent site of the National Conference of Vocations Directors in Ireland. For more information, click on this link.

Speaking at the launch yesterday, Bishop McKeown said that the 'app' was '...not just a church gimmick that will try to give the impression of modernity to something that is passe, a vain attempt to market something that belongs to yesterday.......but I hope that it will help some little groups of believers to exercise a prophetic role in the footsteps of Jesus who walked in the market place.'

Well done to all concerned! I downloaded the 'app' to my own phone yesterday and it is an excellent resource.

Interview with the Master of the Order - fr Bruno Cadore OP

2011-10-14T21:11:00.002+01:00

Master of the Dominican Order - fr Bruno Cadore OP

Some weeks ago, the Master of the Order fr Bruno Cadore OP gave an extensive radio interview to Radio Veritas. The interview is interesting because fr Bruno gives an insight into his vocation and how he came to be a Dominican and reflects also on the Dominican vocation today. The vocational aspect of the interview is well worth listening to and might resonate with those considering Dominican life at this time. fr Bruno was elected head of the Order just over a year ago at the General Chapter in Rome and will serve a nine year term

Radio Veritas is a Catholic radio station based in South Africa with a significant Dominican influence. You can listen to the interview by clicking the 'play' button in the box below.

Dominican nuns in Drogheda offer vocation weekends

2011-10-10T15:17:00.001+01:00

Sisters Mairead, Teresa, Kathy and Breda.

The contemplative Dominican nuns at Siena Convent, Drogheda in County Louth are offering the opportunity to women to experience their life, prayer and community living at two scheduled vocation weekends in the near future. The dates are 14th to 16th October 2011 and 11th to 13th November 2011.

These weekends are designed to assist women interested in Dominican contemplative life by means of conferences, opportunities for personal prayer and communal prayer, reflection and the chance to speak about vocational discernment with some of the sisters.

The sisters at Siena convent are the only community of contemplative Dominican women in Ireland. While the main focus of the community is prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, they are also engaged in other activities to assist with the upkeep of the community. The sisters have in the past year had two solemn professions and currently have one novice. For more information on the life and work of the nuns, please visit their website and blog. If you would like to avail of a contact form for these weekends, please click here.

Irish Dominican friar is honoured by the Order

2011-10-05T13:33:00.000+01:00

Fr Paul Murray OP

A friar of the Irish province is to be honoured by the Dominican Order with the conferring of the Master of Sacred Theology.

The international website of the Order in announcing the news states that "On September 20th, 2011, the Master of the Order, fr Bruno Cadore, with the unanimous agreement of the General Council, promoted Bro. Paul Brendan Murray OP to Master in Sacred Theology. Bro. Paul belongs to the Irish province.....and is president of the Institute of Spirituality and lecturer in Spritual Theology at the Angelicum in Rome. In his letter announcing the decision, the Master of the Order writes: 'The promotion to STM (Master in sacred Theology) is a simple, family way we have in the Order of saying to one of our brothers who has laboured hard in the theological field "well done good and faithful servant" and a way of encouraging him to continue to do so. Paul Murray is a model for the young generation of how we can make theology really responsive to the big questions arising from the spiritual searching of our contemporary world.'

Irish Dominican Vocations joins in the congratulations to fr Paul on this excellent news. The Irish Dominicans have benefited greatly from his wisdom, fraternity and good humour. In the realm of vocations, I regularly give to enquirers fr Paul's book on Dominican spirituality The New Wine of Dominican Spirituality - A Drink called Happiness (Continuum, 2006) because it is in my opinion one of the best expositions of Dominican spirituality that I have come across.

Feast of our Holy Father Saint Francis

2011-10-04T14:26:00.000+01:00

October 4th is the feast of Saint Francis Assisi. It is believed that during the Fourth Lateran Council in Rome in 1215 that Saint Francis and Saint Dominic met. Both saints would go on to found a new form of religious life which would be both apostolic and mednicant - the friars. Traditionally members of both Orders call both saints 'Holy Father'.

For hundreds of years, there has also been a custom where the Dominicans invite a Franciscan to preach on the feast of Saint Dominic, and likewise the Franciscans invite a Dominican to preach on this feast-day.

Irish Dominican Vocations joins with the many who would like to wish all Franciscans and members of the Franciscan family every blessing on the feast of our Holy Father. With these best wishes is a prayer for an increase in vocations to the various entities of the Franciscans.

Videos of recent Dominican events

2011-09-29T12:57:00.001+01:00

The team at Dominicans Interactive have produced high quality videos of some of the recent events celebrated by the Irish Dominican friars. This first video shows the reception in the Order of five men in Saint Mary's Priory, Cork on September 14th last and also there is footage of the first profession of Br Paul Hughes OP.

The second video shows the ordinations of Fr Denis Murphy OP and Fr Maurice Colgan OP at Saint Saviour's Dominican church, Dublin on September 19th

Healthy year for religious vocations in Ireland

2011-09-27T10:06:00.001+01:00

In a time when vocations are not high on the agenda in Ireland, it is more than heartening to observe some new life when it comes to the male religious orders in Ireland. Even though the numbers may appear small to observers, the new trickle of vocations might yet signal a renewal of some kind. The old adage that 'vocations attract vocations' could well be responsible for the slight rise in new entrants this autumn. I am aware that this news item only carries news about male religious that I know of and makes no reference to female religious orders and their entrants. I would be grateful for any news about this so that balance can be maintained.

In the meantime, our fraternal wishes go to our Franciscan brothers who recently celebrated a first profession and weclomed pre-novices to their province. They are pictured above.

Our congratulations also to our Capuchin brothers who recently received the first profession of Br Liam Quinn - pictured above. May our holy father Saint Francis guide him and the Capuchins in Ireland.

The Benedictines in Glenstal Abbey (pictured above) in the past two weeks received the first (simple) monastic profession of Br Emmaus O' Herlihy and also received Bro Jacob (James Leonard) as a novice in their community. Our best wishes to them.

Recently two Irish Pallotines, Patrick Carroll and Sean Jones renewed their Pallotine consecration during a ceremony in their Dundrum community. The Pallotines have a number of men in formation.

As has already been documented widely in the media at the end of August, 22 men joined the National seminary in Maynooth - a moderate rise on the 2010 figure.

As the new academic year begins, please keep all these men in your prayers as they try to discover where the Lord is calling them to as they follow the different paths that they have been called to.

Two New Priests

2011-09-18T23:32:00.002+01:00

The Dominicans in Ireland celebrated in Dublin today, Sunday 18th September, with the ordination of two of our brothers as priests.

The archbishop of Dublin, Most Revd Diarmuid Martin, ordained the two Dominican friars in the celebration which was attended by many Dominican friars, family and friends of the two brothers and parishioners of Dominick Street parish.

This solemn celebration brought the number of priestly ordinations for the Irish Dominicans this month to three, following that of Brian Doyle, o.p., in Murrintown, County Wexford on 3rd September by the bishop of Ferns, Most Rev Denis Brennan.

Fr Denis Murphy is originally from Graine, near Urlingford, County Kilkenny and is a graduate of Carlow College.

Fr Maurice Colgan is from Edenmore parish, north Dublin, and worked for many years in social services before joining the Order.

Below are some images of the ordination ceremony.

Brothers Denis and Maurice lying prostrate before the altar as the Litany of the Saints is chanted.

The archbishop lays hands on Brother Denis.

The archbishop lays hands on Brother Maurice.

The prayer of consecration: the brothers kneel before the archbishop while all the priests stretch out their hands towards those being ordained.

Father Denis' hands are anointed with the oil of chrism.

Father Maurice is presented with the bread and wine for the Eucharistic Sacrifice.

Fathers Denis and Maurice concelebrate Mass with the archbishop - their first time celebrating Mass.

To read the archbishop's homily, see the Dublin Diocesan website: http://dublindiocese.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2575&Itemid=1261

Media are welcome to use these images once they are credited to Irish Dominican Vocations blog.

Irish Dominicans celebrate first professions

2011-09-15T15:19:00.000+01:00

Left to right: Fr Philip McShane OP (novice master), Bro Paul Hughes OP and Bro Alan Hopkins OP

The Irish Dominican province has reason to rejoice again today as two of its brothers have made first (or simple) profession in the past twenty four hours. Yesterday evening (September 14th) during solemn vespers in Saint Mary's Dominican church in Cork, Brother Alan Hopkins made first profession. Brother Alan who hails from Tallaght had originally joined the Order in 2002 and rejoined the province last year. We wish Alan every blessing as he begins this new phase of his Dominican life.

Then today, during the conventual Mass Brother Paul Hughes made his first profession in the hands of the prior provincial Fr Pat Lucey OP. Bro Paul has completed his novitiate year and now moves to our house of studies at Saint Saviour's, Dublin. Paul is originally from County Westmeath but has lived in the UK for the past number of years prior to joining the Order. We wish Paul every blessing also.

These are joyful days for the Irish Dominicans and we ask you to keep our brothers Paul and Alan in your prayers and we ask you to continue to pray for vocations to the friars of the province.

As always, bloggers and other media are welcome to use the images in this blog post as long as they are credited to Irish Dominican vocations blog'

Below are some images from the simple professions of our brothers:

Brother Alan Hopkins OP makes first profession

Brother Paul Hughes OP makes first profession in the hands of the prior provincial

Saint Mary's Dominican church, Cork where both professions took place

Irish Dominicans receive five new novices

2011-09-14T18:08:00.000+01:00

September 14th, the feast of the Triumph of the Cross, is also the feast of the Irish Dominican province. It is on this day that traditionally new novices are received into the Order. In keeping with that tradition, today the Irish Dominican friars received five novices in a ceremony of clothing during the conventual Mass in Saint Mary's Dominican church, Pope's Quay Cork.

The five novices received today are Gerard Flynn, Kevin O' Reilly, Fr Murchadh O Madagain, Christophe Cole and Sean Crepin.

Gerard Flynn is originally from Clonmel in Co Tipperary. Before joining the Order he has been lecturing in a teacher training college in Dublin. He has recently completed a doctorate in theology.

Kevin O Reilly from Dublin has been lecturing in philosophy both in Ireland and overseas for some years.

Fr Murchadh O Madagain is a priest of the Galway diocese and has held various positions in that diocese. He holds a doctorate in theology (spirituality) from the Dominican university in Rome - the 'Angelicum'.

Christophe Cole is from Trinidad where the Irish Dominicans have had a presence for over 100 years. He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies and has been working in the communications for the diocese of Port of Spain in recent years.

Sean Crepin, also from Trinidad has attended the University of the West Indies and in recent years has held a teaching post.

The Irish Dominicans anticipate receiving one further novice in the coming weeks bringing to 6 the number of novices for the province in 2011-12.

Irish Dominican Vocations wishes our new brother novices every blessing in the year ahead as they take the first steps in their Dominican formation. Please pray for them and for vocations to the friars of the Irish Dominican province.

Bloggers and other media are very welcome to use the images in this blog post, but are asked to credit Irish Dominican Vocations blog www.irishdominicanvocations.blogspot.com

Below are some images from the clothing ceremony today:

The five postulants prostrate themselves prior to receiving the habit of the Order

Gerard Flynn is clothed by the prior provincial

Kevin O Reilly receives the habit of the Order

Fr Murchadh O Madagain is clothed

Christophe Cole receives his habit

The prior provincial clothes Sean Crepin

The rosaries of the five new novices are blessed

Solemn Profession of Colm Mannion OP and Luuk Jansen OP

2011-09-11T19:41:00.003+01:00

Our newly solemnly professed brothers for 2011 (left to right) Bro Matthew Martinez OP, Bro Luuk Jansen OP and Bro Colm Mannion OP

The Irish Dominican friars celebrated the solemn (or final) profession of two of its brothers today in Dublin. Brothers Colm Mannion OP and Luuk Jansen OP made profession during the celebration of the conventual eucharist in Saint Saviour's Dominican church in Dominick Street, Dublin. Both of our brothers making profession were joined by their families, friends and members of the Dominican family at the celebration. Brothers Colm and Luuk join Bro Matthew Martinez (also of the Irish Domincan province) who also made solemn profession two weeks ago. Irish Dominican Vocations wishes our newly solemnly professed brothers every blessing as they continue on their path in the Dominican way of life. Please pray for our brothers and for vocations to the Irish Dominican friars.

Below is a sample of some images from the profession ceremony today. Bloggers and other media are welcome to use these images, but please credit the Irish Dominican vocations blog: www.irishdominicanvocations.blogspot.com

Please see also an account of the professions on our vocations website.

Bro Luuk Jansen OP

Bro Colm Mannion OP

The gospel is proclaimed by the deacon Bro Maurice Colgan OP

Brothers Luuk and Colm prostrate themselves prior to making profession

Bro Colm Mannion makes profession '......until death.'

Bro Luuk Jansen makes solemn profession in the hands of the prior provincial

Brothers Luuk and Colm kneel before the provincial for the prayer after profession

A view from the sanctuary in Saint Saviour's Dominican church during the profession ceremony

Please click on the images to view larger versions

Dominican images from around the world.....

2011-09-10T16:33:00.000+01:00

Some interesting pictures from the provinces of Dominican friars around the world.....

and some words on Dominican spirituality....

Ordination of Fr Brian Doyle OP

2011-09-03T23:17:00.002+01:00

The friars of the Irish Dominican province rejoice in the ordination to the priesthood of our brother Brian Doyle OP. Fr Brian was joined by his family, friends, priests of the Ferns diocese and his Dominican brethren at the ordination ceremony in the church of Saint Catherine, Murrintown, Co. Wexford. The bishop of Ferns, Dr Denis Brennan was the ordaining prelate. This is the first of three priestly ordinations for the Irish Dominicans during the month of September as our brothers Maurice Colgan OP and Denis Murphy OP will also be ordained priests in two weeks time.

Irish Dominican Vocations takes this opportunity to congratulate Fr Brian on his ordination and wishes him every blessing in the years ahead of priestly ministry and asks you our readers to continue to pray for vocations for our province.

Below are some images of the ordination ceremony. Bloggers and other media are welcome to use the images, but please credit http://www.irishdominicanvocations.blogspot.com/

Please also visit http://www.dominicanfriars.ie/

Bro Brian Doyle OP

Bro Brian promising obedience to his own ordinary, through Bishop Brennan

Br Brian lays prostrate before the altar while the saints are invoked

Fr Jim Doyle lays hands on his brother's head

Fr Brian's hands are anointed with the sacred chrism

"Peace be with you"

Fr Brian pictured with the bishop of Ferns, Most Revd Denis Brennan, and assisting deacon Br Denis Murphy, o.p.

Fr Brian with his parents Joan and Brian

Vocation News from Trinidad and Tobago

2011-09-01T17:08:00.000+01:00

A quick note with some brief reflections from Trinidad. I leave here in a few hours having spent eight days in the company of my Dominican brethren of the vicariate here, and to attend the solem profession of Matthew Martinez OP. Both were very enjoyable experiences.

I was particularly delighted to have some time with the vocations director for our vicariate here - fr Dwight Black OP. Dwight is beginning his second term as vocations director. He has done an outstanding job for the promotion of vocations here and has raised the profile of the Order in a new way. He is, of course, getting results too. It was great to hear of his plans over the next number of years. I look forward to working closely with him in the time ahead.

I have been resident with the brethren in St Finbar's priory. The church attached to the priory is a parish church but also a church that is deeply Dominican. It was so encouraging to hear the large congregations each morning to pray after Mass for Dominican vocations. As a vocations director, you have no idea how humbling an experience that is. The Order is indebted to the many, many people who pray regularly for vocations. Their prayers are being answered!

Being thousands of miles from home does not mean that the work stops! Here is an interesting piece of information for you: last month (August 2011) saw the highest number of enquiries about vocations to the Dominicans in Ireland since I became vocations director eleven years ago. There have been 12 new enquiries in August - that's unprecedented. The only other comparable month was September 2008 when there were 8 new enquiries. The average number of enquiries to the vocations office each year is 60.

Now that September has begun, another new year of vocations ministry takes off. With the help of your prayers, and through the intercession of Saint Dominic, may it be a fruitful one.

Solemn Profession of Bro Matthew Martinez OP

2011-08-29T17:32:00.002+01:00

Bro Matthew Martinez OP

There was great joy in Port-of-Spain in Trinidad today as our brother Matthew Martinez OP made solemn profession as a Dominican. The profession took place during the celebration of the Eucharist at St. Finbar's church in Diego Martin. Bro Matthew was joined by his family, relatives and friends, many members of religious congregations in Trinidad and Tobago and by a large representation of Dominican friars, sisters and Dominican laity. Bro Matthew made profession in the hands of the regional prior of the vicariate of Trinidad and Tobago - Fr Michael Hayden OP. Bro Matthew returns to Ireland in the week ahead to continue his theological studies. On behalf of all the friars of the Irish Dominican province, I wish Matthew every grace and blessing as he continues to the next phase of his Dominican life. May the Lord bring to completion the good work that he has begun. Our best wishes to the friars of the vicariate also who have witnessed an increase in vocations in the past few years. Below are some images of the profession ceremony today.

(Please note that further images will follow - other bloggers and media are welcome to use the images and blog content as long as they credit www.irishdominicanvocations.blogspot.com)

The entrance procession

Fr Michael Hayden OP preaches the homily

Bro Matthew makes a prostration before making solemn professiom

Matthew Martinez OP makes solemn profession in the hands of the Regional Prior

The video above of highlights of the profession ceremony was taken by the vocations director of the vicariate, fr Dwight Black OP - please note that there is significant sound distortion so please adjust your volume control when viewing.

Upcoming events for Irish Dominican friars

2011-08-23T23:44:00.001+01:00

Irish Dominican Vocations is on his way to the West Indies and to Trinidad and Tobago for a very important event in the life of the Dominican vicariate there. The vicariate is a missionary outreach of the friars of the Irish Dominican province - and has been for over 100 years. The very important event is the solemn (perpetual) profession of our brother Matthew Martinez OP. The profession ceremony will take place in the Dominican church of Saint Finbar, in Port of Spain, Trinidad on Monday next August 29th. Brother Matthew has been living in Ireland for the past five years for his formation and after his profession will return to Ireland to continue his studies in September. We wish Matthew every blessing as he prepares for this momentous event in his religious life. His profession is the first in a number of joyful events for the friars of the Irish Dominican province in the coming weeks.

On September 3rd next our brother Brian Doyle OP will be ordained to the priesthood in his native County Wexford.

On September 11th, two of our brothers Luuk Dominiek Jansen OP and Colm Mannion OP will also make solemn profession in the Dominican priory church of Saint Saviour, Dominick Street, Dublin 1.

On September 14th, we will be clothing new novices in the habit of the Order in the Dominican church of Saint Mary, Pope's Quay, Cork. This is the feast of the Triumph of the Cross - the feast of the Irish Dominican province.

On September 15th, two of our brothers, Alan Hopkins and Paul Hughes will make first (simple) profession in Saint Mary's priory church, Pope's Quay, Cork.

Finally on September 18th, two of our brothers Denis Murphy OP and Maurice Colgan OP will be ordained to the priesthood in Saint Saviour's Dominican church, Dominick Street, Dublin 1.

We are delighted to announce the news of these joyful events and ask you to remember all our brothers who will be ordained, make simple and solemn profession in the weeks ahead and ask you to continue your prayers for an increase in vocations to the friars of the Irish Dominican province.

Pope Benedict on religious life and vocations during WYD 2011

2011-08-19T17:07:00.001+01:00

Pope Benedict speaks to religious women during his trip to Madrid for World Youth Day. As always, the Holy Father encourages and uplifts and reminds all religious and those considering a vocation to religious life that their lives must always be rooted in Jesus Christ.

Vocations on the front page!

2011-08-14T12:45:00.000+01:00

Christopher Jamison OSB

The Irish Catholic (Ireland's largest Catholic newspaper) carried a front page story on vocations in its most recent issue entitled: "Church vocations: from recruitment to discernment." The story concerns the head of the office for vocations for England and Wales Fr Christopher Jamison OSB and his assertion that vocations strategy has a new byword for him 'from recruitment to discernment'.

Fr Jamison states that "We've shifted from asking 'would you like to become a priest?' to asking 'what kind of person would you like to be and what would you like to do in life?'" and goes on to say that "If you approach a person from 'Generation Y' with the question 'would you like to be a priest?' they see this as an attack on their freedom." He says that this new approach has led to the creation of a number of succesful mixed 'discernment groups' across England which has a powerful impact because the participants see it as a discernemnt exercise rather than a recruitment exercise.

Fr Christopher also talks about vocations directors saying "A vocations director and promoter are two different roles. A director must have time to concentrate on those who are already discerning their vocation, a promoter must seek to create a culture of vocations."

Clearly Fr Jamison has had a big impact since his appointment as director for the National Office for vocations in England and Wales in October 2010. Vocations are on the rise across England and Wales - attributable to, among other things, 'a formal policy of the church to create a culture of vocations.'

There is no doubt that the discernment groups that he refers to are succesful. Ireland is just catching up at this point with a pilot project Explore Away initiated by Vocations Ireland. I do, however, have some hesitations around such groups. The discerning method employed can not do justice to all types of vocations and something is lost in that. The understanding of religious life can be obscured because it is lived very differently by the many orders and congregations. And I also believe that the mixed discernment groups has the possibility of allowing congregations and orders off the hook in the promotion and discernment of their own unique vocations. I would also advocate that we not drop the asking of the question to the young and not so young that we know 'would you consider being a priest, nun, brother?' I am amazed still at the high proportion of people that I meet whose first contact can be precisely because that question was asked to them directly. It is not to be underestimated!

Fr Jamison makes a very important point about vocations directors. However, because vocations directors in Ireland have little or no training, they often fall into the trap of being recruiters alone - and the process of discernment, which is crucial, can become obscured or lost. I have long been an advocate for full time vocations directors - irrespective of the cost to the religious orders and congregations. Only when this is possible will the distinctions about the role of vocations directors that Fr Jamison rightly asserts become less of a problem.

Dominican vocations boom continues in Saint Joseph Province - USA

2011-08-09T12:20:00.000+01:00

The thirteen novices who were received into the Saint Joseph Province USA yesterday

The months of August and September each year are important for the friars of the Dominican provinces throughout the world - as it is during this time that new members are admitted to the Order. Yesterday, the Saint Joseph province of Dominican friars in the USA admitted thirteen men to their novitiate in Cincinatti, Ohio. This province has seen unprecedented growth in vocations in the past few years. I would like to draw readers attention to a very significant reflection on this phenomenon from a blog entry of mine last year http://irishdominicanvocations.blogspot.com/2010/07/dominican-vocations-american.html which contextualises this increase in vocations to the Order. Irish Dominican Vocations sends best wishes to our brothers in the Saint Joseph province and especially to these thirteen men who are embarking on their initial journey to Dominican life.

Meanwhile, please pray for the men who will receive the habit of the Order for the Irish Dominicans on September 14th next in Cork.

August 8th - feast of Saint Dominic

2011-08-08T22:08:00.000+01:00

Happy feast of our holy father Saint Dominic to all readers of this blog.

Much is written and said of our founder - he is particularly well known for his attachment to truth, his quick grasp of situations, his maturity of reflection after long periods of prayer and for a firmness in his decisions. Above all it was Dominic's capacity for love of neighbour, which he never seperated from his love of the Church, that characterised his life.

One of the more authentic sources of the life of Saint Dominic is the Libellus by Jordan of Saxony who was the successor of Dominic as head of the Order. One of my favourite quotations from that source is about Saint Dominic and compassion:

He welcomed all people into the vast embrace of his charity and, since he loved the entire world, everyone loved him. He made it his own personal rule to be happy with those people who were happy and cry with those who were sad, overflowing with religious affection and devoting himself completely to taking care of his neighbour and sympathising with people in their misery (Libellus n. 107).

My prayer on this feast day is all Dominicans and those considering following in the footsteps of Saint Dominic will participate in that same compassion that Dominic had for the world - because he wanted his followers to go out and preach prompted by the sole urge to give to people in their moral, material and spiritual poverty the response that flows from God's heart.

Saint Dominic, pray for us!

Solemn profession of Redemptoristine nun is a historic event!

2011-08-06T16:59:00.000+01:00

Sr Maura Walsh OSsR pictured with Gerard Dunne OP after her solemn profession ceremony.

Today, I attended a historic and joyful event. The Redemptoristine nuns in Drumcondra, Dublin 9 celebrated the solemn (or final) profession of Sr Maura Walsh OSsR - the first solemn profession for the Redemptoristines in almost 40 years. To be accurate it's 39 years - the last time there was such an event was the final profession of the current prioress of the community Sr Gabrielle Fox OSsR in 1972.

Regular readers of this blog will know that I have a long-standing admiration for the work and ministry of this community - and a particular appreciation for their work in vocations ministry. They are a model for any monastic/contemplative community, and indeed other religious orders and dioceses in how to go about the task of promoting vocations.

However, the day belongs to Sr Maura - a native of Mountbellew, Co Galway. She worked in the health services industry before joining the Redemptoristine monastery five years ago. Irish Dominican Vocations wishes Sr Maura every blessing as a fully professed Redemptoristine nun, congratulates the five sisters in simple profession in the monastery and the community for their dedication and witness. Please add a prayer for those preparing to join the community in the not too distant future.

Dominican Saints and Blesseds - a new blog!

2011-08-04T12:27:00.000+01:00

Brother Paul Byrd OP, a friar of the Dominican province of Saint Albert the Great in the US has launced a new blog on the saints, blesseds, venerables and servants of God of the Dominican Order. It is a kind of one-stop-shop of information on those members of the Domincan family throughout the world who have a special place in the life of the church. I must say that I learned for the first time about many in the Order who are being considered for beatification and canonization. So, I recommend this blog to you as a valuable source of information on the famous and not so famous figures in the Order. The Dominican Order is blessed to have so many powerful witnesses of exemplary life and faith - and we should ask those who have gone before us to intercede for the current needs of our preaching mission throughout the world.

Visit http://causesforjoy.blogspot.com/

Priestly ordinations for Irish Dominican friars

2011-08-02T20:13:00.000+01:00

This recently published video of the priestly ordination of our brother, David Barrins OP, is a timely reminder to ask readers of this blog to keep in prayer three of our brothers who will be ordained priests next month - September 2011. Brothers Brian Doyle OP, Maurice Colgan OP and Denis Murphy OP will be ordained having completed their institutional studies and will soon receive their assignations as newly ordained priests of the Irish Dominican province. More details regarding the time, place and dates of these joyful events will be posted soon.

Irish Dominican Vocations would like to thank the team at Dominicans Interactive for supplying the video above. Fr David Barrins OP was ordained in St Mary's Dominican church, Pope's Quay Cork on the feast of Christ the King last year by the bishop of Cork and Ross, John Buckley. Fr David is currently assigned to that community and is the provincial promoter for youth ministry for the Irish Dominican friars.

Why consider a vocation in the midst of a crisis?

2011-07-22T23:42:00.000+01:00

It is not the policy of this blog to comment on the current difficulties being experienced by the Catholic church in Ireland - it is best left to other commentators. But, it would also be foolish for this blog not to comment on the crisis as it relates particularly to vocations. Put simply, the ongoing crisis of such proportion that it impacts very negatively on anyone considering a vocation to religious life or priesthood today. But, in the midst of it all, we need desperatley to consider the importance of ongoing call of God - who calls in good times and bad.

The church that we know and love has somehow survived these past two thousand years despite the actions of the sinners, like you and me, who have been part of it. The church will continue to survive hopefully a lot wiser and humbler - as a result of the transgressions of its leaders and followers.

The church and its people are not just survivors who grit their teeth in the face of either internal turmoil or external opposition. The church doesn't just survive - it lives. It lives because Jesus Christ lives in and through the church. In the midst of this present crisis we must humbly admit that we are the recipients of the graciousness and unconditional love of Jesus Christ who promised never to abandon his disciples: "And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time." (Matthew 28:10) The church has existed and lived these 2000 years because of God's grace manifested through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

During these dark days I am often reminded of the words of Blessed John Paul II in Toronto during a World Youth Day event when he addressed the young people saying: "At difficult moments in the church's life, the pursuit of holiness becomes even more urgent. And holiness is not a question of age; it is a matter of living in the Spirit......We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son."

While many might argue that this is the worst time ever to consider a religious vocation, I see it as the most desirable time to discern life as a sister, brother, nun, priest and indeed Dominican. Here's a few reasons:

Firstly, God continues to call and invite people to a life of service and community, especially when the church faces and unprecedented crisis like the one we presently face. Our history proves this. In the middle of the great injustices of the Spanish Inquisition God called St Teresa of Avila to a life of mysticism and ultimately of reform of her Carmelite order; Saint Francis had a dream of rebuilding God's house and in response chose to live a life of radical simplicity through simplicity, prayer and penance - in stark contrast to the wealth and corruption of the twelfth century church. A couple of hundred years later when there was unrest in the church and a divided papacy Saint Catherine of Siena responded to God's call to live the Dominican life and later became a mediator for peace and the reunification of the papacy.

The church still benefits from the virtue of these heroic men and women and the many more like them who heard God's call and invitation to live a radical Gospel life in the midst of a church in turmoil. I am confident that with the help of God's grace that we will be telling similar stories in the future of today's heroic men and women who responded to the challenges of religious life.

Another reason to consider a religious vocation is that our church needs the creativity, idealism, faith and spirituality of a new generation. In the midst of our crisis the poor in our world continue to suffer from a lack of education, healthcare, social services. In a culture that suffers from inequalities, violence and disregard for human life, people need to hear the prophetic message of justice, peace and dignity. And in the middle of the crisis that the church now faces, people more than any other time in history need to hear the Gospel preached.

One further reason: the church needs more than just service. In a society that glamourises wealth, sex, power and money the church needs the continued witness of young people (and not so young) who are willing to give their all for holiness by living a life of chastity, obedience and poverty. Because we are a sacramental church we need priests to preach the Word with integrity and minister in times of joy and pain with sensitivity. When the world is plagued by polarization and division we need the hope for the Christian community that is inspired by people who come together to live and share their faith, values and mission.

By considering a religious vocation, there is nothing to lose. Why? Because all vocations are oriented towards holiness and a deepening of a relationship with God. I would continue to encourage people to consider religious life for the sheer joy that it can bring. Of course there are challenges and sacrifices but there is a deep consolation in knowing that you are following God's will or plan for you and that you are making a significant contribution to the life of the church and those that you live with and serve.

These are definitely trying times for the church especially in Ireland. But they are not the first, nor will they be the last. Keep on considering your vocation - and do not be afraid.

Redemptoristine nuns in Dublin continue to attract vocations.

2011-07-16T21:41:00.000+01:00

Sr Maria pictured with Gerard Dunne OP after the profession ceremony.

Regular readers of this blog will be aware of the fact that I have highlighted the Redemptoristine community in Drumcondra in Dublin for their highly successful approach to attracting vocations. The community have adopted a 'high visibility' strategy for vocation promotion and have used wisely all the modern means of communication available to them. But as one wise Dominican friar once said to me, you can have all the visibility you like, but if you are not living the life, then nobody is going to be attracted or entice to join religious life. How true, and how appropriate are these words in relation to the Redemptoristine nuns in Dublin. They live a monastic life, centred on prayer, and give an authentic witness to God by their very lives. This is the primary reason why women are attracted to their community.

Their continuing success story in relation to vocations continued today as one of their sisters, Sister Maria Sidorova, made first profession. Sister Maria is a native of Slovakia. She was joined by family members, Irish Redemptorists, friends and associates of the community today where she professed her vows during the celebration of the eucharist.

In three weeks time, another of the sisters will make final profession. The community are also preparing to receive a new postulant in September. Please remember the sisters in your prayers and if you would like to know more about them visit their website www.rednuns.com.

Incorporating new vocations into the Dominican Order - a reflection.

2011-07-15T23:16:00.000+01:00

Almost a year ago, the Dominican friars held its General chapter in Rome. That chapter elected the new Master of the Order, fr Bruno Cadore OP. Also at that chapter meeting, the outgoing Master, fr Carlos Aspiroz Costa OP gave, as is required, a 'relatio' or an account of his administration over the previous number of years. During these less hectic days of summer, I am reading the section written by fr Carlos on incorporating new vocations into the Dominican order. It is insightful because it highlights the intergenerational differences that can exist within the Order, and at the same time, if these differences are properly understood and resepected, they can be a vital sign of growth. Here is what fr Carlos said:

Today, we are faced with an obvious fact: there is a majot generational change in the Order. The incorporation of new vocations, the foundation of new provinces, the presence of the Order in new countries, our preaching in new cultures raises for us new questions, demanding new responses, new methods and new expressions.

The generation that was contemporary with the Second Vatican Council and who wanted to put it into practice immediately is now faced with having to accept and hear the questions of those who were born or grew up after the Council. The experience of the immediate post-coucil period is totally foreign to them; many of their parents have not even transmitted the faith to them. They cannot count on a vital "oral tradition" concerning the appropriateness of the renewal. These friars, our brothers, are questioning today those who preceded them on the road to Dominican life, just as the previous generation questioned their older brothers. Each generational change offers its own lights and shadows, joys and sorrows, hopes and anxieties. The Order requires the sense of freedom, the missionary zeal, creativity and commitment to mature in the field of justice and peace characteristic of a generation which has given so much to the Church. At the same time, many of our younger friars are expressing the necessity today of a certain visibility, faithfulness to the history and tradition of the Order, and the need for a sense of belonging experienced through a fraternal life in community which celebrates its faith in the liturgy etc.

If we really believe that every brother who makes profession (in the Order) inserts his life and history into the life and history of the Order, this means that "the brother", in a sense, will never be the same and analogously neither will "the Order" be the same for having taken him under her wing.

Substantial increase in interest in Dominicans in Ireland

2011-07-08T13:23:00.001+01:00

Readers of this blog will be aware of the recent solemn profession of Sr Mary Teresa Dunphy OP at Siena Monastery in Drogheda, County Louth. The newly released video above of the liturgy during which solemn profession is made gives another glimpse into the solemnity of the occasion - and the nature of the seriousness of making a commitment to the contemplative aspect of the Dominican way of life.

Sr Teresa's solemn profession as a Dominican nun comes at the mid point of 2011 which will see a surge in activity of new membership in the Dominican family in Ireland. It is appropriate to state that there has been a renewed interest in the Dominican charism and spirituality in recent years.

This is evidenced by (1) a dramatic increase in the number of enquirers to the Cabra Dominican sisters. Later this month they will hold interviews to accept new candidates to their form of life. (2) The Lay Dominicans in Ireland have experienced unprecedented growth in the past couple of years - culminating with the beginnings of a new group (chapter) of young Lay Dominicans about to be established in Queens University in Belfast. New young members have also been added to chapters in Kilkenny, Dublin and Belfast. (3) The solemn profession of Sr Teresa Dunphy at Siena monastery in Drogheda is the second such profession for the Domincan nuns in the past year. There is also a novice in the monastery at the moment. (4) The friars of the Irish Dominican province will this year have three of our brothers ordained to the priesthood, three brothers will make solemn profession and hopefully by September of this year three will have made simple profession. The friars will also be receiving new novices in autumn of this year.

For further information on the various branches of the Dominican family in Ireland, please visit the websites of the Lay Dominicans, the Cabra Dominican sisters, the Dominican nuns at Siena monastery in Drogheda, and the friars of the Irish Dominican province.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (Lay Dominican) - July 4th feastday.

2011-07-04T14:30:00.000+01:00

“In this trying time that our country is going through we Catholics and especially we students, have a serious duty to fulfill: our self-formation.......We, who by the grace of God are Catholics... must steel ourselves for the battle we shall certainly have to fight to fulfill our program and give our country, in the not too distant future, happier days and a morally healthy society, but to achieve this we need constant prayer to obtain from God that grace without which all our efforts are useless; organization and discipline to be ready for action at the right time; and finally, the sacrifice of our passion and of ourselves, because without that we cannot achieve our aim.” Pier Giorgio Frassati (1922)

That quote above could be as easily spoken in 2011 - an indication of how little changes despite appearances! July 4th marks the feast of the Italian lay Dominican Pier Giorgio Frassati. An extraordinary young man. He is a model for young people of our modern world who are looking for a role model. In knowing more about Blessed Frassati, they will find someone to identify with in this vibrant young athlete and student who combined a deep love for Christ, a desire to serve the needy, and a mission to imbue society and politics with Christian ideals.

Pier Giorgio Frassati was born in Turin, Italy on Holy Saturday, April 6, 1901. His father, an agnostic, was the founder and director of the liberal newspaper, La Stampa, and was influential in Italian politics, serving a term as senator, and later was Italy's ambassador to Germany. He spent the flower of his youth between two world wars when Italy was in social ferment and Fascism was on the rise.

Pier Giorgio developed a deep spiritual life which he never hesitated to share with his friends. In 1918 he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society and dedicated much of his spare time to serving the sick and the needy. He decided to become a mining engineer so he could "serve Christ better among the miners," as he told a friend. His studies, however, did not keep him from social activism.

Although the Frassati family was well-to-do, the father was frugal and never gave his two children much spending money. What little he did have, however, Pier Giorgio gave to help the poor, even using his train fare for charity and then running home to be on time for meals in a house where punctuality and frugality were the law. When asked by friends why he often rode third class on the trains he would reply with a smile, "Because there is not a fourth class."

When he was a child a poor mother with a boy in tow came begging to the Frassati home. Pier Giorgio answered the door, and seeing the boy's shoeless feet gave him his own shoes. At graduation, given the choice by his father of money or a car he chose the money and gave it to the poor. He obtained a room for a poor old woman evicted from her tenement, provided a bed for a consumptive invalid, supported three children of a sick and grieving widow. He kept a small ledger book containing detailed accounts of his transactions, and while he lay on his death bed, he gave instructions to his sister, asking her to see to the needs of families who depended on his charity. He even took the time, with a near-paralyzed hand, to write a note to a friend in the St. Vincent de Paul Society with instructions regarding their weekly Friday visits. Only God knew of these charities; he never mentioned them to others.

He felt a strong, mysterious urge to be near the Blessed Sacrament. During nocturnal adoration, he would spend all night on his knees in profound prayer. He influenced other students to make the annual university retreat given by the Jesuits. He loved the rosary, a family practice, and prayed it three times daily after becoming a lay Dominican.

It was in 1922 that he joined the Dominican Third Order choosing the name Girolamo after his personal hero, the Dominican preacher and reformer of Florence's Renaissance. Despite the many organizations to which Pier Giorgio belonged, he was not a passive "joiner"; records show that he was active and involved in each, fulfilling all the duties of membership. Pier Giorgio was strongly anti-fascist and did nothing to hide his political views.

He died at a very young age (24) from polio.

His family expected Turin's elite and political figures to come to offer their condolonces and attend the funeral; they naturally expected to find many of his friends there as well. They were surprised , however, to find the streets of the city lined with thousands of mourners as the cortege passed by. Those who mourned his death most were the poor and needy whom he served so unselfishly for seven years; many of these, in turn, were surprised to learn that the saintly young man they only knew as 'Fra Girolamo' came from such an influential family. It was these poor people who petitioned the Archbishop of Turin to begin the cause for canonisation. The process was opened in 1932 and he was beatified by Blessed John Paul II on May 20th, 1990.

For a more full account of the life of Pier Giorgio, please visit http://www.3op.org/frassati.php

Invocation 2012 for Ireland?

2011-07-01T11:42:00.000+01:00

Following on from the very succesful second annual 'Invocation' 2011 conference at Saint Mary's College, Oscott in Birmingham, I wonder if there is an appetite in Ireland for a similar type event?

'Invocation' 2011 is an initiative of the National Office for Vocation in England and also is supported by the Episcopal Conference. It is primarily a vocations discernment conference - allowing participants to meet religious, foster fellowship, engage in catechesis, avail of the opportunity for confession, spend time in adoration, have regular prayer events and the celebration of the eucharist. The three day event is unashamadely focused on discernment if vocations to religious life and priesthood. This year close to 700 young people attended this conference.

In a climate that is generally hostile to the promotion of religious vocations, the number of people who attended this event is positively surprising. It clearly demonstrates that, with proper planning and promotion, such an event is possible - and that there is a real appetite for authentic discernment.

I was unable to attend the conference event though I was invited as an observer, but it did set me thinking about the possibilities that could exist for an event like 'Invocation' in Ireland. Here is a real opportunity for collaboration between the National Vocations Office in Ireland, Vocations Ireland, the Irish Episcopal Conference and other interested bodies such as CORI and Saint Joseph's Young Priests Society to come together in a unified manner to promote vocations to religious life and priesthood.

Should such an event happen? The answer is clearly yes. Could such an event happen? The answer is clearly yes - as long as there is goodwill and cooperation between the various parties. Will such an event happen? I don't know and wouldn't be too optimistic.

For my part, the campaign begins here. Over the next weeks during the summer, I will be communicating with all the various parties mentioned above to seek their views and support in hosting Ireland's 'Invocation'. Who knows, maybe we will be talking about Invocation Ireland 2012 soon!

Laois Dominican nun makes final profession in Siena Convent Drogheda, Co Louth

2011-06-29T17:38:00.001+01:00

Sr M Teresa prostrates before the altar before making profession and seeks the mercy of God

There was great joy and delight for the enclosed Dominican nuns who are based in Drogheda, Co. Louth, and for the wider Dominican family in Ireland today as Sr Mary Teresa Dunphy OP made her solemn profession.

I, Sister Mary Teresa Dunphy make profession, and promise obedience to God...........that I will be obedient to you and your successors, until death.

Final profession, called "solemn profession" among Dominicans, is the final commitment a men or woman makes to remaining a Dominican brother or sister for life.

Originally from County Laois, Sr M.Teresa entered the Dominican monastery in 2005 at the age of 26, after having qualified and worked as a chartered accountant.

She and the Dominican community of nuns Drogheda, Co Louth were joined by family, friends and members of the Dominican Order for 12.30 p.m. Mass during which the profession ceremony took place.

Sister M.Teresa is the second Dominican nun to make solemn profession in her monastery in 13 months, Sr Niamh Muireann Galvin having made solemn profession in 2010. The monastery currently has one sister in formation as a novice.

Left to right: Sr Breda Caroll OP (prioress), Sr Mary Teresa, Sr Mairead Mullen (novice mistress)

Sr Mary Teresa with her parents

Sr Mary Teresa with her brothers and sister

For more information about the Irish Dominican contemplative nuns, see their website and their blog:
http://www.dominicannuns.ie/
http://dominicannunsireland.blogspot.com/

Interviews for admission to Novitiate 2011

2011-06-20T01:32:00.000+01:00

(picture posed)

Interviews for admission to the novitiate of the Irish Dominicans take place during this week beginning Monday 20th June in Saint Mary's Priory, Tallaght, Co Dublin. Those who have applied are from both Ireland and Trinidad where the Irish Dominicans currently have a presence. Some professional assessments have already occurred and interview by the admissions board of the province will take a few days.

Please pray for those applying to join the Irish Dominicans' novitiate in Cork.

Prayer for Dominican Vocations: Lord Jesus, as once you called saint Dominic to preach the Gospel, so now send new preachers into your harvest. Give them courage, wisdom and grace to make them witnesses of your death, resurrection and return in glory. Through the intercession of Mary, patroness of the Order, may they bring true faith and light to brighten the darkness. You who live for ever. Amen.

Master of the Order visits student house at Saint Saviour's, Dublin

2011-06-16T19:14:00.003+01:00

Our student brothers with the Master of the Order (click on photo to enlarge)

Front row left to right: Darragh McNally OP, Brian Doyle OP, Ronan Connolly OP, Bruno Cadore OP, Denis Murphy OP, Stephen Jones OP, David McGovern OP

Middle row left to right: James Cassidy OP, Eoin Casey OP, Maurice Colgan OP, Colm Mannion OP, Matthew Martinez OP, Conor McDonough OP

Back row left to right: Patrick Desmond OP, Damian Polly OP, Luuk Jansen OP

The Master of the Order, fr Bruno Cadore OP, is making an informal visit to some of the communities in the Irish Dominican province. His brief itinerary sees him visiting both formation communities of the province in Dublin and Cork, as well as a short visit to the Dominican contemplative nuns in Drogheda. Today, he had an opportunity to meet with the student brothers of the province and the community as well. The picture shows our student brothers pose for a photograph with the fr Bruno today.

New Vocations Video - English Dominican Friars

2011-06-11T12:54:00.000+01:00

Congratulations to our brothers of the English Dominican province who have just produced this very fine vocation/promotional video depicting the four aspects of Dominican life - prayer, study, community and mission.

For more information on the English Dominicans, please visit their website here and the excellent blog of their student brothers Godzdogz

Study and Contemplation in the Dominican Order

2011-06-08T23:43:00.000+01:00

Many of the enquiries to the Vocations office of the Irish Dominican friars are concerned about the role of study and contemplation in the Dominican tradition. I recently came across this excellent brief talk by the late fr Kurt Pritzl OP, who was then the dean of the school of philosophy at the Catholic University of America. Well worth a look and a listen!

World Communications Day 2011

2011-06-05T01:00:00.001+01:00

To mark World Communications Day, Pope Benedict has chosen the theme Truth, proclamation and authenticity of life in the digital age as the core of his message for this year.

In his message, the Pope says that the emergence of the internet as a network for communication is like the Industrial Revolution that brought about a profound transformation in society with modifications in cycles of production and the lives of workers. "So today, the radical changes taking place in communications are guiding significant cultural and social developments. The new technologies are not only changing the way we communicate, but communication itself, so much so that it could be said that we are living through a period of vast cultural transformation.” "This means of spreading information and knowledge is giving birth to a new way of learning and thinking, with unprecedented opportunities for establishing relationships and building fellowship,” states the Pope.

The Pope explains that there is, “a Christian way of being present in the digital world” and this is communicating in a way that is honest and open, responsible and respectful of others. “To proclaim the Gospel through the new media means not only to insert expressly religious content into different media platforms, but also to witness consistently, in one’s own digital profile and in the way one communicates choices, preferences and judgements that are fully consistent with the Gospel, even when it is not spoken of specifically,” states the Pope.

Ordination of seven deacons a sign of hope for Irish Catholic church

2011-05-31T11:54:00.000+01:00

In a time of great uncertainty around vocations in Ireland, the ordination to the diaconate of seven men on Sunday last in the National Seminary in Maynooth is a sign of hope. The seven (six of whom are pictured above) were ordained by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin. They come from six dioceses around Ireland (Ferns, Meath, Tuam, Armagh, Kilmore and Dublin) and one from the Irish Redemptorist Province. A further six men were ordained deacons in the Irish College in Rome at Easter time.

Having these thirteen men prepare for priesthood in the next number of months will certainly give optimism and hope to others who might feel called to religious life and priesthood. This number, however, masks an underlying worrying trend in vocation numbers in Ireland. In a number of weeks we will become aware of the numbers who will begin seminary training and formation for the dioceses of Ireland and for religious congregations. It now looks likely that the numbers will be down again - for a second year in a row. While it is impossible to draw conclusions from statistics over such a short period, it should really focus the mind once again of those charged with promoting vocations in Ireland to immediately look seriously at their vocations strategies. Clearly, there is much work to be done because the strategies employed are not working very well and in some cases not at all.

It seems clear to me that there is a case to be made for all the interested parties concered with promoting vocations in Ireland (religious and diocesan) to come together and discuss planning for the future. It does not require a further 'Year of Vocation', but a planned, strategic and professional response to trends now becoming clearer.

See the full text of Archbishop Martin's homily at the diaconate ordinations here. A good analysis of the homily and the ceremony by journalist Sarah McDonald appears on the cinews website here.

Vocations Ireland launch 'ExploreAway'.

2011-05-27T14:30:00.000+01:00

Any new initiative (especially in Ireland) that sets out to help people discern their call towards a religious vocation is to be heartily welcomed. So I am delighted to hear of the new project of Vocations Ireland who have launched a new programme which offers an opportunity to men and women aged between 21 and 40 years to explore religious life in a prayerful and reflective environment over a number of residential weekends throughout the year. Entitled 'exploreAway' the programme envisages that those considering the vocation of a sister, brother, priest, nun or monk would spend some time in quality discernment with the assistance of trained professionals in the field. The project has a website that is simple, helpful and clear and can be accessed here.

This new initiative is based loosely on the 'Compass' programme, based in the UK and which has been quite successful in attracting candidates to various forms of priesthood and religious life over the past number of years.

This new project deserves our prayerful support, and hopefully this venture will enourage all the various religious orders in Ireland to redouble their efforts at vocation promotion and discernment.

Glimpses of Dominicans from around the world...

2011-05-25T18:55:00.000+01:00

Below are some images of Dominican provinces around the world, promoting the life and vocation of the Dominican friars in that region or country. These videos will give you a glimpse of the universality of the Dominican Order.

Firstly, a video clip made by the Argentinian Dominican friars:

The next video below shows the new Dominican pastor of St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in St. Petersburg, the oldest Catholic parish in the city, celebrating the Easter Vigil and singing the exultet in Russian. The parish was founded in 1783, closed in 1938, and reopened only in 1992. The new pastor, Father Hyacinthe Destivelle, O.P., named after Blessed Hyacinthe Cormier, O.P., is a French Dominican and an expert in Orthodox theology.

The friars of the Saint Joseph province of Dominicans in the United States celebrate the feast of the translation of the relics of Saint Dominic in this extract below:

An unusual video from the Croatian Dominican friars!:

Irish Dominican friars to launch new 'prayer for vocations' initiative.

2011-05-24T01:20:00.000+01:00

Irish Dominican Vocations is happy to announce a new prayer initiative which will be launched during the summer. Having commissioned an icon of Saint Dominic (pictured above) some time back, it is now complete and will provide the focus for this new prayer effort. The hope is to bring the icon to all the various churches and centres that that the Dominican friars have in Ireland for approximately a month at a time, inviting those who attend to set aside a period of time to pray specifically for Dominican vocations. It will also get our supporters and those attending our churches to think of praying regularly for vocations to the Order.

New prayer cards for vocations and posters will be available in the various locations as a help and guide for those involved in this new prayer initiative.

Irish Dominican Vocations is deeply indebted to the Redemptoristine nuns in Drumcondra, Dublin who accepted the commissioning of the icon and also to renowned iconographer Mihai Cucu.

Through the intercession of Saint Dominic, may this new initiative bear fruit.

Irish Dominican contemplative nun speaks about her vocation

2011-05-16T19:34:00.000+01:00

Sr Mary Teresa Dunphy OP is a member of the community of the contemplative Dominican nuns in Drogheda, Co. Louth. She is preparing to make her solemn (perptual) profession next month (June 29th, 2011). In this video, she speaks about her vocation story, with a particular emphasis on discernment. In listening to her reasons for wanting to join the Domincan nuns, you will note that there is a universality about the vocational call, while everyone has a very different story to tell as to how they get there in the end. This talk was given as part of the annual Dominican family vocations day held in March of this year.

For more information on the Dominican contemplative nuns, please visit their website www.dominicannuns.ie or their blog www.dominicannunsireland.blogspot.com Irish Dominican Vocations asks you to remember Sr Teresa in your prayers as she continues her preparation for her solemn profession.

New vocations website for Irish Dominican friars - Vocations Sunday 2011

2011-05-13T18:23:00.000+01:00

To coincide with Vocations Sunday 2011 and as part of our ongoing engagement with an internet presence, an (almost complete) dedicated vocations website has been launched for our province. DominicanFriars.ie is a traditional website with information about vocation and the Dominican Order, a collection of video and still images of important events of the province, with rolling news on the homepage to give browsers a live picture of what's happening or has been happening in our province. We will develop the website further in the near future adding history pages, more still image and video galleries, connections to our social media presences and so on.

Visit the website http://www.dominicanfriars.ie/ and let us know what you think. Irish Dominican Vocations thanks all who were involved in the setting up of this new website, and hopes that it will attract many new enquirers who are interested in the vocation of the Dominican friars in Ireland.

Lay Dominicans Ireland re-elect President at AGM

2011-05-10T22:59:00.000+01:00

The annual general meeting of the Lay Dominicans in Ireland took place in Dublin this past weekend. During the meeting the delegates elected for a second term their outgoing president Geraldine Flanagan. Geraldine is a teacher by profession and has been a member of the Lay Dominicans for some years. During her first term as President, there has been growth in the number of enquiries about the vocation of the Dominican laity, and as evidenced by the number of new members at the AGM, there has also been significant growth. There are a number of chapters of Lay Dominicans throughout Ireland. Please refer to their website above for locations if you are interested.

Irish Dominican Vocations would like to congratulate Geraldine (pictured above) on her re-election, along with the new members of the Provincial Council. Geraldine has been a driving force behind the many instances of collaboration between the members of the Dominican family in Ireland and we look forward to strengthening that relationship into the future.

Vocations Sunday 2011 - Irish Bishop Donal McKeown speaks on vocations

2011-05-09T19:15:00.001+01:00

As Vocations Sunday approaches, the chair of the council for vocations of the Irish Episcopal Confernce, Donal McKeown answers some questions on the state of vocations in Ireland in the video above. Bishop McKeown is one of the auxiliary bishops of the Catholic diocese of Down and Connor.

This video is welcome as part of the contribution of the Irish bishops to Vocations Sunday. How much more welcome would be a commitment from the Episcopal conference in Ireland to highlight the vocation of priesthood and religious life on a far more regular basis. It is a rarity to hear any bishop in Ireland speak about vocations outside of this weekend - and indeed any comments that are made tend to create a negative attitude toward priesthood and religious life. It seems that in Ireland there is an inability to promote the priestly or religious vocation without making reference to clustering of parishes, permanent diaconate, pastoral workers and other issues - important and all as they may be.

It is no surprise then that people, and especially young people who may have an interest in priesthood or religious life are confused. For many of them, the message they receive is that other forms of vocation are as important or indeed more important than the call to serve the Lord as a religious or priest. Why are we afraid to promote this calling? If there continues to be a dilution of the sacred call of the Lord to men and women to follow him in a vowed life or as service as a priest, then we can expect fewer and fewer vocations.

Experience, anecdotally and otherwise, from various parts of the world shows that those bishops and religious superiors who go out of their way to actively promote the vocation to priesthood and religious life are far more successful in encouraging and receiving such vocations than those who do not. We are doing a great disservice to the Church by not being proactive in our promotional efforts.

'The Rosary Priest of Ireland'...Dominican friar Gabriel Harty OP

2011-05-07T13:18:00.000+01:00

A recent blog entry by the excellent Dominican history blog featured Irish Dominican fr. Gabriel Harty OP. The blog entry can be seen here. Fr Gabriel is an inspiration to many of us as we try to live out our Dominican vocations, and he is still blogging away as he approaches his 90th birthday. His newly revamped blog can be found here. It's a great read, so stop by and take a look. I know fr. Gabriel would appreciate it!

Vatican Blogger Conference - Video

2011-05-03T14:34:00.000+01:00

A video piece from yesterday's conference for bloggers. Can you spot Irish Dominican Vocations?

Polish Dominicans make Solemn Profession - the Irish connection

2011-05-03T09:47:00.000+01:00

The Polish province of Dominican friars have consistently been receiving many vocations for some years. That province has many strong links with the Irish Dominican province and now many Polish Dominicans are assigned to various ministries in Ireland. Over the past number of years, Polish Dominican students have been coming to Ireland, to our studentate at Saint Saviour's in Dublin to undertake theological studies. It has been a mutually beneficial experience for both of our provinces.

So, it is with great joy that Irish Dominican Vocations has learned of the final or solemn profession of thirteen Dominican friars of the Polish province some days ago. Three of the thirteen brothers spent a year with us, and we delight in the news of their profession.

See the Polish Dominican website at http://www.dominikanie.pl/

Vatican Blog Meeting - Final Update

2011-05-02T18:21:00.000+01:00

For another view on today's meeting, please take a look at what the Catholic News Agency has to say here.

The final contributors to this blogger conference have been concerned with the various media and social network outlets that the Holy See has. The Vatican is trying to bring all these outlets under one umbrella which is hoped to have the domain name news.va The meeting has really run out of steam now, dealing with more technical issues and I suspect that the bloggers gathered will feel a little shortchanged.

Still, this poor ending should not cloud the great energy and enthusiasm generated by this first meeting of Catholic bloggers. We are assured that this is the first attempt in the Holy See reaching out to the Catholic blogger community in the future. Please God, it is the start of something new and exciting.

Vatican Blog Meeting - Live Update (3)

2011-05-02T17:46:00.000+01:00

The second session of the Vatican blogger conference is opened by Fr Antonio Spadaro SJ and speaks of the objectives of this blogger meeting , namely: the dialogue between faith and emerging cultures. The blogger community are called to the meeting so that 'the Vatican' can listen and indeed learn.

Fr Federico Lombardi SJ addresses the meeting. He is well known internationally as the director of the Holy See press office. He notes that he does not use blogs himself but is surprised by the energy generated by the Catholic blogging community. He says that the mission of the Vatican is to open up to a dailogue to all those who want to open up to communication. He speaks of Pope Benedict and says the Holy Father understands well what is happening in the blogging world and wants to encourage this. The Holy Father is open minded to all forms of communication.

Fr Lombardi says bloggers are important for the church, and that the church should have a public opinion - a dialogue between faith and the world. Blogs can particiapte in this new dimension or reality. A second observation relates to connectivity - the Vatican getting its message from the core outwards without having any real feedback. Blogs can contribute to a greater dialogue. Thirdly, the question of monitoring. He notes that the Holy See interacts with bloggers by keeping up to date with news, trends and events and monitors blogs regularly. Fr Federico thanked bloggers for helping clarify the Church's message, especially when the truth is sometimes misconstrued. (By the way, some of the participants at the meeting, by means of twitter, disagree with Fr Lombardi, saying that the church has missed the point of 'social' communication.)

There will be one further and final update.

Vatican Blog Meeting - Live Update (2)

2011-05-02T16:53:00.000+01:00

The first break of the Vatican blogger meeting affords an opportunity to reflect on the purpose of the meeting. Clearly, the bloggers gathered are highly motivated, and offer reflections on topics which are sometimes missed by mainstream Catholic media. All the contributors are at pains to point out that it is not the purpose of Catholic bloggers to overtake mainstream media but to enhance it. It is being brought to our attention that the primary objective of Catholic bloggers is to make the Gospel more widely available.

Some anecdotes in the questions to the panel:
'It's interesting how Catholic bloggers are often now the first port of call for information in the Catholic world!'

'We Catholic bloggers need to be careful not to be pushing our own agendas to the detriment of the Gospel!'

'Even 12 year olds are blogging.....why shouldn't we?'

Vatican Blog Meeting - Live Update (1)

2011-05-02T15:58:00.000+01:00

This post is updated live from the Pontifical Council for Communication's meeting held in Rome today, Monday May 2nd, 2011.

An occasion to establish respectful dialogue between blogging community and a deep acknowledgement of the great contribution of Catholic bloggers are counted among the initiatives and the reasons for this meeting organised by the Holy See's Pontifical Council for Communications. It is not a publicity stunt on behalf of the Church but an engagement with the blogging community - nor is it a stage to set up a moral code for bloggers, but a simple meeting to put blogging in its right place of sharing ideas and information.

Moderating the first panel is Rocco Palmo - reminded the participants that we start blogs because we believe - and that among the blogging community are some great communicators. Bloggers and particularly Catholic bloggers create a community engagging particularly with our readers. With tongue in cheek he said that this meeting, the first of its kind is something only the Holy See could do - to strengthen our faith and the faith of our readers!

Five bloggers share their experience of blogging - with one recuuring theme, namely that the Church use all available social networking tools available to them to help with the spread of the Gospel.

Official Programme for Vatican Blogger Meeting Announced

2011-04-30T10:00:00.001+01:00

As one of the 150 bloggers invited by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Communications to the first international meeting of Catholic bloggers, it is safe to say that there is a great deal of excitemnet on my own part and that of others attending the meeting on Monday next. There are a couple of alternative gatherings of bloggers on the following day - proper blognics, if you like - which are open to all. One of them takes place in an Irish pub - maybe that's the reason I should go to the alternative meet as well!

The official programme for the PCC meeting has been announced. It is to take place in the Sala Congressi, Palazzo Pius X, off the via della Conciliazione and will be formally opened by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the President of Pontifical Council for Communications. There are two panels of speakers, the first one moderated by Rocco Palmo and the second by Fr Antonio Spadaro SJ. (The second panel of contributors includes the director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr Federico Lombardi SJ). The event will be concluded by Archbishop Claudio Celli.

It will be a great opportunity to meet with other Catholic bloggers, make connections, and hopefully find ways for advancing the Gospel through this particular medium. Please keep all of us in your prayers.

Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena and Vocation

2011-04-29T12:20:00.000+01:00

The Dominican family throughout the world will today (April 29th) celebrate the feast of Saint Catherine of Siena. She was born into a prosperous urban family, the 23rd of 25 children. She received no formal education and resolved at an early age to remain a virgin for Christ.

At the age of 16 she became a lay Dominican and received the habit, as was the custom at the time. She dedicated her life to helping the poor, and was a voice for reform within the Church.The Western Schism (1378-1418) was a source of great suffering for her till her death.

In her writings, or rather those she dictated because she never learned how to write, she details her mystical experiences, her visions of Jesus, of hell, purgatory and heaven. Her major work is the Dialogue of Divine Providence. She died in Rome in 1380, was canonised in 1461, and was declared Doctor of the Church in 1970.

Saint Catherine is the inspiration of many who consider the religious vocation. Her writings, let alone the example of her life, show a deep desire for intimacy with Christ. This is the first motivation for anyone contemplating life as a religious - that deep desire to know the Lord more intimately, and then in typical Dominican fashion to preach from that relationship.

The following quotes attributed to Saint Catherine of Siena will illustrate this.

O Eternal God, receive the sacrifice of my life, in this Mystical Body of Holy Church. I have nothing to give, save what You have given me. (Prayer of Saint Catherine)

I turn and lean towards the most holy cross of Christ crucified, and there I will fasten myself. (Letters of Saint Catherine)

To the servant of God.....every place is the right place, and every time is the right time. (Letters of Saint Catherine)

Dominican vocations video (USA)

2011-04-26T12:23:00.001+01:00

The Dominican friars of the Saint Joseph Province in the USA consistently produce videos of excellent quality and content. The vocations video above features the large intake of 21 novices last year, along with the first profession of eight of their brothers in Cincinatti, Ohio. There are also some interviews with some of the professed friars on the Dominican vocation.

The Irish Dominican friars welcome enquiries, as always, about our vocation as preachers and the vocations director can be contacted at frgd@eircom.net.

Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum

2011-04-20T11:25:00.000+01:00

I will be spending the Paschal Triduum with our contemplative Dominican nuns in Drogheda, Co. Louth this year. The triduum is that period of three days from Holy Thursday, beginning with the Mass of the Lord's Supper and concluding with vespers on Easter Sunday. For those wanting to join with the nuns for these days, the timetable is as follows:

Holy Thursday:
6.30pm - Mass of the Lord's Supper.

Good Friday:
6.55am - Office of Readings
8.30am - Lauds and Terce
11.20am - Midday Prayer
3.00pm - Celebration of the Lord's Passion
6.15pm - Compline

Holy Saturday:
6.55am - Office of Readings
8.30am - Laudes and Terce
12.45pm - Midday Prayer
3.00 pm - Afternoon Prayer
5.30 pm - Vespers
9.30 pm - Easter Vigil Ceremonies and Mass

Easter Sunday:
9.00 am - Lauds
10.10am - Terce
10.30am - Mass
1.00pm - Midday Prayer and Rosary
3.30pm - Afternoon Prayer
6.30pm - Vespers, followed by Compline

Irish Dominican Vocations is Rome bound!

2011-04-18T14:52:00.000+01:00

To my great surprise, I learned over the weekend that this blogger is one of the 150 chosen to attend the first international meeting of Catholic bloggers in Rome on May 2nd next. The event is designed to coincide with the beatification celebrations for Pope John Paul II and is hosted by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

It is, of course, a great honour to be chosen to attend the event. There are many well known Catholic bloggers attending including Roderick Vonhogen, Katrina Ebersole, Lisa Hendley, Rocco Palmo and many others. I am delighted to be joined at the event by Fr Gabriel Burke, of the diocese of Cloyne. As far as I know, we are the only Irish representatives at the meeting. You can see the full list of those invited here.

This blog is primarily a tool to promote vocations to the the Irish Province of Dominican friars. But as with all other blogs, there is an ulterior motive because I believe that blogs such as this can and should be used to promote the Gospel and to fulfill the important role in the Church of witnessing to Christ. Blogs such as this one are often the first point of contact for vocational enquirers but also for the many who question their faith. It is in that context that this blog and similar ones should be a pointer to the love of God for all humanity. So, blogging is not just about imparting news, it is also concerned with a more profound reality - the desire to know God more intimately.

I have been humbled by all the good wishes offered by many on hearing this news. I hope to keep you posted when the time comes - from Rome!

First Profession of Fr Stephen Cummins

2011-04-16T15:43:00.000+01:00

It was a historic day for the Irish Dominican province as Fr Stephen Cummins made first profession - the first time in 61 years since a diocesan priest has made simple profession in the Order in Ireland. Fr Stephen, a native of Cork city and a priest of the diocese of Cloyne, made profession during the community Mass today April 16th at Saint Mary's Dominican church, Pope's Quay, Cork. The chief celebrant of the Mass was Fr Finian Lynch OP, the subprior of the community. Fr Stephen was joined by family members, visiting Dominican friars and friends for the occasion.

Irish Dominican Vocations wishes our brother Stephen every blessing as he continues his Dominican formation. Please continue to pray for vocations to the friars of the Irish Dominican province. Below are some images from the joyful occasion.

Fr Stephen prostrates himself prior to making profession asking for God's mercy and that of the Order

The candiadate is examined before making profession.

'I, Brother Stephen Cummins, make profession........'

The traditional blessing of the scapular.

Fr Philip McShane OP, novice master, Fr Stephen Cummins (newly professed) and Fr Finian Lynch OP, subprior, Saint Mary's Cork after the profession ceremony.

Note to bloggers and media: if using these images, please credit Irish Dominican Vocations blog.

Contemplation: An Essential Ingredient of the Christian Tradition - fr Paul Murray OP

2011-04-11T13:41:00.000+01:00

Irish Dominican friar, fr Paul Murray OP, recently gave a talk in the English House of Lords - the first time a Dominican friar has done so. His talk "Contemplation: An Essential Ingredient of the Christian Tradition" has recently been adapted by Vatican Radio. The first part is now available. Sincere thanks to our Dominican brothers of the province of Saint Joseph in the USA for providing the link below. It really is well worth a listen!

Dominican Province of St. Joseph | "Contemplation: An Essential Ingredient of the Christian Tradition". Blog | op-stjoseph.org

Dominicans and Study - the Saint Saviour's Symposium

2011-04-07T10:37:00.000+01:00

The community at our student formation house at Saint Saviour's, Dublin, are hosting a monthly symposium on a diverse range of topics. Recently, Dr Angelo Bottone, of University College Dublin, gave a talk on the recently beatified Cardinal John Henry Newman and the idea of the university. Cardinal Newman had strong links with Dublin. For more on the monthly symposium, please visit http://www.dominicansinteractive.com/

Dominican Quotes (1)

2011-04-05T13:20:00.000+01:00

Here is the first in a brief series of some of my favourite quotes by eminent Dominicans that might help you in the task of discovering God's call in your life:

There are two ways of keeping God's word, namely, one whereby we store in our memory what we hear, and the other whereby we put into practice what we have heard (and none will deny that the latter is more commendable, inasmuch as it is better to sow grain than to store it in the barn). - Blessed Jordan of Saxony

One cannot share with others what one does not have in oneself -Saint Catherine of Siena

Those who do not love God, do not know how good He is. - Saint Rose of Lima

Nothing has been told to us by God as a matter for remembrance, it is committed to us as a means to achieve the higher life. - Bede Jarret OP

Behold my children, the heritage I leave you: have Charity for one another, guard Humility, make your treasure out of voluntary Poverty. - Saint Dominic's Last Will and Testament

I am Yours, and I desire to belong to You alone. I will be eternally faithful to You, and I desire to lay down my life for You. - Saint Rose of Lima

Prayer is the voice of desire. - Saint Thomas Aquinas

Good news for Irish Augustinian vocations

2011-03-31T11:36:00.000+01:00

Irish Dominican Vocations is always delighted to hear of any good news on the vocations scene in Ireland and believes that such news should receive the widest possible coverage - in a time when there is such negative news about the Irish church. So, it was with great joy that we learned of the recent solemn profession of an Irish Augustinian friar, Colm O' Mahony OSA (pictured above). The profession ceremony took place in the Augustinian church in Cork on the feast of the Annunciation (March 25th, 2011).

Irish Dominican Vocations sends best wishes to Colm (who will be ordained deacon in a few weeks time) and congratulates the Irish Augustinian friars on this excellent news with the hope that the order in Ireland will be blessesd with more vocations. For more information about the life and work of the Irish Augustinian Order, see their website: www.augustinians.ie

Pope John Paul II on his vocation.

2011-03-29T18:41:00.000+01:00

The late Pope John Paul II will be beatified on May 1st next, the second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday). The video above, through the words of John Paul, reminds us of the centrality of Jesus Christ in the vocation of those whom he calls to serve him. In preparation for the upcoming beatification, there are some very good resources available online. There is an excellent facebook page http://www.facebook.com/vatican.johnpaul2 and YouTube has many videos to view at http://www.youtube.com/giovannipaoloII

Pope John Paul had much to say during the years of his pontificate on the subject of vocations. Here are some quotable quotes:

"In the hidden recesses of the human heart the grace of a vocation takes the form of a dialogue. It is a dialogue between Christ and an individual, in which a personal invitation is given. Christ calls the person by name and says: "Come, follow me." This call, this mysterious inner voice of Christ, is heard most clearly in silence and prayer. Its acceptance is an act of faith."

"Do not be slow to answer the Lord’s call! From the passage of the Book of Exodus read to us in this Mass we can learn how the Lord acts in every vocation (cf. Ex 3:1–6, 9–12). First, he provokes a new awareness of his presence—the burning bush. When we begin to show an interest he calls us by name. When our answer becomes more specific and like Moses we say: "Here I am" (cf. v. 4), then he reveals more clearly both himself and his compassionate love for his people in need. Gradually he leads us to discover the practical way in which we should serve him: "I will send you." And usually it is then that fears and doubts come to disturb us and make it more difficult to decide. It is then that we need to hear the Lord’s assurance: "I am with you" (Ex 3:12). Every vocation is a deep personal experience of these words: "I am with you."

It is also important to remember that the life, ministry, words and the death of John Paul II have inspired many men and women to follow their vocation as priests and religious. When he is beatified, we can expect that many will ask through his intercession, for guidance and discernment and will follow the Lord in the path of service.

Follow Irish Dominican Vocations on Twitter

2011-03-25T18:56:00.000Z

You can now keep even more up to date with all that is happening with Irish Dominican Vocations by following us on twitter at http://twitter.com/frgdop

I hope that it will keep you informed with all relevant news and views as the Irish Dominican friars try to reach as many people as possible through all the various media and social networking services available.

As always, feedback is very important to us, so please let us know if you like our attempts to both preach the Gospel and promote our vocation in these ways. We like to hear constructive criticism as well!

Dominican Family Vocations Day 2011

2011-03-24T13:04:00.000Z

The entrance to the Dominican campus, Cabra, Dublin 7.

Final preparations are taking place for the third annual Dominican family vocations day which takes place on Saturday next, March 26th at the Dominican sister's campus in Cabra, Dublin 7. We are delighted once again this year to have as our lead speaker Dr Andrew O' Connell, who is communications director for the Presentation Brothers in Ireland and is also a noted social and religious commentator. His work and expertise with vocations personnel in Ireland and overseas is highly sought after and valued.

Participants are men and women who have an interest in the Dominican calling as friars, apostolic sisters, contemplative nuns and lay Dominicans. Those attending will have an opportunity to meet and talk with members of the four branches of the Dominican family. As with all Dominican gatherings such as this, the central parts of the day will include praying the liturgy of the hours and the celebration of the Eucharist.

Please pray for the success of this year's venture and particularly for those who will be participating.