Video of recent vestitions and professions

The video above has been produced by the Dominican student brothers of the Irish province - www.dominicansinteractive.com - and it features the vestition and profession ceremonies in Cork recently and includes some of the testimonies of the brothers

The significant formation events which usually occur every year in mid-September are followed in the video.

Some of the newly professed brothers speak about how they see their lives as Dominicans.

First professions for Irish Dominicans

Four of our brothers who have completed their novitiate made first profession in Saint Mary's Dominican priory church in Pope's Quay, Cork today (September 15th, 2013). The brothers Matthew Farrell, Philip Mulryne, Jesse Maingot and Michael (Ronan) O Dubhghaill joined the novitiate last year and are now taking their first steps as professed Dominicans.

It is a day of great joy for the Irish Dominicans as these men take this important step in their lives and rounds off a happy weekend for the Irish Dominican province. These brothers will soon move on to our studentate in Saint Saviour's Dublin to begin their studies in philosophy and theology.

Fr Gregory Carroll OP (prior provincial) presided at the profession ceremony during the 11.00 am conventual Mass and in his homily reminded the newly professed brothers of their task of becoming preachers depended on their life of prayer, study and living in community. As always, you are asked to keep these brothers of ours in your prayers.

Below are some of the images from the profession ceremony today:

The four brothers lie prostrate seeking God's mercy and that of the Order prior to making profession.

The prior provincial fr Gregory preaches the homily during the rite of profession



Bro Matthew Farrell makes profession

The provincial fr Gregory Caroll OP receives the first profession of Bro Philip Mulryne

Bro Jesse Maingot recites the formula of profession in the hands of the prior provincial

Bro Michael Ronan O Dubhghaill makes profession



The scapulars of the newly professed brothers are blessed.

The offertory procession

The Saint Mary's choir in full voice!

Left to right: Bro Philip Mulryne OP, Bro Matthew Farrell OP, fr Gregory Carroll OP (provincial), Bro Jesse Maingot OP and Bro Michael Ronan O' Dubhghaill OP

 

 

 

New novices and professions in the Polish Dominican province

The Polish Dominican friars received 15 men into the Order (pictured above) and clothed them in the habit on August 17th last. Irish Dominican Vocations send best wishes to the brothers of that province. There have been strong links forged between the Irish and Polish provinces in the past number of years and there are Polish brothers assigned to and working in the Irish province, providing chaplaincy and parish ministry.

On the following day, the Polish province received the first profession of 11 friars (see picture below). Both events took place in the Dominican church in Służew.

 

Photographs are reproduced here with the kind permission of the Polish Dominican province - photos by P. Barczuk.

Dominican nuns in Drogheda celebrate first profession

Sr Mary Cathy Howard OP who made first profession today

The Dominican contemplative nuns at Siena monastery in Drogheda, County Louth celebrated the first profession of Sr Mary Cathy Howard today February 2nd - the feast of the Presentation and the world day for consecrated life.

The profession ceremony took place during the celebration of the eucharist and Sr Mary Cathy was joined by her family and friends, her community at the monastery, Dominican friars, sisters of the Cabra congregation and members of the Dominican laity.

Sr Mary Cathy, who is from Dublin, has completed her novitiate, made profession in the hands of the prioress, Sr Mary Breda Carroll using the following formula:

I, Sister Mary Cathy Howard, make profession, and promise obedience to God, and to Blessed Mary and to Blessed Dominic, and to the Master of the Order of Friars Preachers, Brother Bruno Cadoré;

and to you Sister Mary Breda Carroll, Prioress of this Monastery of St Catherine of Siena, Drogheda; and to your successors, according to the Rule of Blessed Augustine and the Constitutions of the Nuns of the Order of Preachers that I will be obedient to you and to your successors, for three years.

 

This joyful event for the Dominican nuns in Drogheda is an important event in the life of that community and also for all Dominicans in Ireland. It follows the first profession of Sr Sabine Schratz of the Cabra Dominican sisters yesterday.

The Dominican nuns in Drogheda, who live a life centred on prayer and adoration of the Most Blessed Eucharist are the only community of contemplative Dominican nuns in Ireland. You can learn more about their way of life by visiting their website www.dominicannuns.ie and their blog www.dominicannunsireland.blogspot.com

Below are some images from the profession ceremony today:

Sr Mary Cathy makes profession in the hands of the prioress, Sr Mary Breda

Sr Mary Cathy with her parents at the reception following her profession

Left to right: Sr Mairead (novice mistress), Sr Mary Cathy and Sr Mary Breda cutting the celebratory cake

Sr Mary Cathy with members of her family

Sr Mary Cathy with fr Gerard Dunne OP, vicar of the Master of the Order to Dominican nuns at Siena monastery in Drogheda

  

Joyful day for Irish Domincan sisters

 Sr Sabine Schratz with her mother and father after making first profession as a Dominican sister

The Irish Dominican sisters of the Cabra congregation had reason to be joyful today (February 1st - the feast of Saint Bridget) as they celebrated the first profession of Sr Sabine Schratz. The rite of profession was celebrated during the celebration of the Eucharist at the Dominican convent chapel in Cabra, Dublin 7.


Sr Sabine has completed her novitiate and will now be assigned to one of the communities of the congregation in the very near future.

This first profession of Sr Sabine (the first for the congregation in many years) is a real sign of hope for the church in Ireland, but especially for the Dominicans. Irish Dominican Vocations wishes Sr Sabine every blessing as she continues her Dominican journey.

Visit the website of the Cabra Dominican sisters at www.dominicansisters.com

Video of Clothing Ceremony and First Professions 2012

Video footage of our recent happy events of the receiving of the habit of our five novices and the first profession of our two brothers in Saint Mary's priory church, Pope's Quay, Cork on September 14th and 15th September 2012. With thanks to Br Luuk Jansen OP and Dominicans Interactive for the video.

Redemptoristine nuns in Dublin continue to attract vocations.

 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.

First Profession of Fr Stephen Cummins

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.

Videos of Clothing & Profession

Below are videos of two recent Dominican vocation events. The top one is of the first profession of eleven of our novices on 15th September last. The second and lower video is of the reception of two men into the novitiate in Cork on 14th September. Thanks to Br Luuk Jansen for his video work.

Eleven Dominicans make First Profession - Saint Mary's, Cork September 15th 2010

Back left to right: Brothers Damian Polly OP, Patrick Desmond OP, Ronan Connolly OP, Gary Burns OP, Daragh McNally OP, James Cassidy OP.

Front left to right: Brothers Stephen Hackett OP, Eoin Casey OP, David McGovern OP, Stephen Jones OP, Conor McDonough OP

The Irish Dominicans joyfully celebrated the first profession of eleven brothers of the province who have just completed their novitiate year. The event took place during the celebration of the Eucharist at Saint Mary's priory church at Pope's Quay in Cork. The eleven brothers made profession in the hands of the prior of the novitiate community, Fr Edward Conway OP. A large number of Dominican friars gathered to celebrate the event along with the families and friends of the newly professed brethren. Having completed the novitiate and made profession, these eleven brothers will now move to the student house of the Irish Dominican province at Saint Saviour's, Dublin. Please keep these young Dominican friars in your prayers and those who will accompany them through their formation. Below is a selection of images from the memorable and historic event for the Irish Dominican friars.

Gary Burns OP makes profession in the hands of the prior, fr Edward Conway OP

David McGovern OP makes profession in the hands of the prior, fr Edward Conway OP

Damian Polly OP makes profession in the hands of the prior, fr Edward Conway OP

Ronan Connolly OP makes profession in the hands of the prior, fr Edward Conway OP

James Cassidy OP makes profession in the hands of the prior, fr Edward Conway OP

Patrick Desmond OP makes profession in the hands of the prior, fr Edward Conway OP

Daragh McNally OP makes profession in the hands of the prior, fr Edward Conway OP

Stephen Hackett OP makes profession in the hands of the prior, fr Edward Conway OP

Conor McDonough OP makes profession in the hands of the prior, fr Edward Conway OP

Stephen Jones OP makes profession in the hands of the prior, fr Edward Conway OP

Eoin Casey OP makes profession in the hands of the prior, fr Edward Conway OP

The brothers seeking the mercy of God and the Order prior to making profession

The traditional blessing of the scapulars after the rite of profession

New Novices and First Professions

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

The friars of the Irish Dominican province are preparing to accept new novices in a ceremony during Mass at Saint Mary's Priory church in Cork tomorrow September 14th (feast of the Triumph of the Cross and the feast day of the Irish Dominican Province) at 11.00 am. On the following day, September 15th (feast of Our Lady of Sorrows), our current novices will make profession also during Mass at 11.00 am in Saint Mary's, Pope's Quay, Cork. Photographs and a report on these two joyful events will appear in this blog over the next couple of days. Please keep these young Dominican friars in your prayers please.

Prayer for Dominican Vocations:

Lord Jesus, as you once 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 forever. AMEN

Redemptoristine Vocations Strategy Continues To Bear Fruit

Sr Monica Boggan OSsR makes profession

The Redemptoristine community, based at Saint Alphonsus Monastery in Drumcondra, Dublin 9 had cause for celebration on Saturday last (August 21st, 2010) when Sr Monica Boggan OSsR (pictured above) made her first profession. The event is all the more significant because this is the fourth such profession celebrated by this contemplative community in the heart of Dublin in as many years.

The fact that Sr Monica makes profession at this time is testament to the efforts of the Dublin Rerdemptoristines in their ongoing vocations strategy: namely by letting the world know of their existence and their place in the Church, but also by using every means possible at their disposal to attract vocations. It continues to be of interest to me and many other vocation directors how the Redemptoristines and other such female monastic/contemplative orders are attracting vocations at a far higher rate than apostolic religious sisters. One of the conclusions that we come to is that these monastic/contemplative communities have a very strong identity, have a specific apostolate, have lives centred on communal worship and prayer and are visible.

The Redemptoristines have an attractive website which is http://www.rednuns.com/ Worth a look!

Professions at Saint Saviour's, Limerick. September 15th 2009

September 15th, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, is the traditional date when the friars of the Irish Province make profession. In keeping with that tradition, today the Irish Dominican friars celebrated the first profession of our brothers John Leigh and Joseph Brady. Family members and a large gathering of Dominicans made the celebration a memorable event. Brothers John and Joseph have just completed their novitiate year at our Limerick community and as newly professed brothers now move to the studentate of the Irish Dominican Province at Saint Saviour's, Dublin to begin their formal studies.

Brother John is from County Laois while Brother Joseph is from County Wicklow. The profession of these two brothers completes a remarkable three days for the Irish Dominicans. Prayerful good wishes to all our brothers.

Brother Joseph Brady makes profession in the hands of the Prior Provincial

Brother John Leigh makes profession in the hands of the Prior Provincial

Professions and Receptions 2009

The friars of the Irish Dominican province will celebrate some significant events in the coming days.

On Sunday, September 13th the renewal of profession of Brother Matthew Martinez OP will take place during lauds (Morning Prayer) at 9.00 a.m. in Saint Saviour's, Dominick Street, Dublin.

Also on September 13th, the solemn profession of Brother David Barrins OP will take place during the conventual Mass at 11.30 a.m. in Saint Saviour's, Dominick Street, Dublin.

On Monday, September 14th (Feast of the Triumph of the Cross) 13 men will be clothed with the Dominican habit during the 11.00 a.m. Mass in St. Mary's Priory church, Pope's Quay, Cork.

On Tuesday, September 15th (Feast of our Lady of Sorrows), Brother John Leigh OP and Brother Joseph Brady OP will make their first profession during the celebration of the Eucharist in St. Saviour's Dominican church, Glentworth Street, Limerick at 11.00 a.m.

Please pray for these 17 brothers of ours during these days and continue to pray for vocations to the Irish Dominican Province.

First Profession.....Live!

A very joyful event will take place on next Saturday (July 26, 2008). It is the first profession of Sr. Maura Walsh OSsR, a Redemptoristine cloistered nun in their monastery - The Monastery of Saint Alphonsus, St. Alphonsus Road, Drumcondra, Dublin (pictured above).

This event will be carried live from the monastery by Church Resources TV. To watch the profession ceremony as it is streamed live, please click on http://www.churchservices.tv/ and follow the appropriate links. It begins at 12 noon. (I wonder if this is a first?)

I know Sr. Maura and the Redemptoristine community very well. This is a very important moment in Maura's life and that of the community. My prayers and best wishes go to them.