Happy New Year

Apologies to regular readers of this blog for the lack of posting over the festive season. It is my fervent hope that the year ahead will be a graced one for all those involved in the promotion of vocations - but particularly for those who are discerning where the Lord is calling them. The greatest joy for any vocations director is when a candidate begins to understand where God is in their lives, and begins to act on that encounter. My thoughts too are with the brethren of the Irish Dominican province - especially those who encourage, support and pray for vocations to our way of life. And to you, of course, who come across this blog during 2008, may the Lord bless you in abundance and may the year ahead be a happy one for you.

Lourdes Revisited.......

I have just returned from Lourdes. It's been my second visit this year. I accompanied a group of young people with CLM (Cuairteoiri le Muire - Visitors with Mary). This is an organisation that has been on the go for nearly 50 years - it is a voluntary movement bringing the sick, disabled and underprivileged to the Marian shrine.


The group of young people, boys and girls, were secondary school pupils from different schools in Mallow and Clonakilty. (According to them, there is a new town in Cork called Mallakilty!!) It was a great experience to be with them - to see them celebrate their faith, pray, help others and have great fun. Lourdes, and Mary, never cease to amaze me at the people they call.


Late on in the week, I had the privelige of meeting a priest friend from Cork who joined the Dominicans with me back in 1987. He is now serving as a secular priest in the diocese of Cloyne. Meeting him reminded me of the early days of my own exploration of vocation to the Order - and meeting the young people from Mallakilty certainly encouraged me in my own vocation. They were just great!


Lourdes is quiet this year - the word is that people are holding off until next year to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the apparations. Take a look at the website http://www.lourdes2008.com/