Irish Dominican friar gives lecture in House of Lords, Westminster, England

 fr Paul Murray OP

In what is surely a first, an Irish Dominican friar has given a lecture in the House of Lords - the upper house of the English Parliament. Yesterday, fr Paul Murray OP, of the Irish province of the Order who is based in Rome and is professor of spiritual theology at the Dominican university of Saint Thomas "The Angelicum", gave a lecture on Contemplation: An Essential Ingredient in the Christian Tradition. Approximately  two thirds of those who were present at the lecture were members of the House of Lords. The event was organized by the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust and Sky Arts. The lecture will be broadcast on Sky TV on January 15th, 2011 at 17.00. Speaking after the event, fr Paul commented: “For me it was a remarkable experience, needless to say, quite unforgettable. And perhaps the greatest joy was the privilege of being able to share, as a preacher, some of the great and sacred texts from the Catholic spiritual tradition. I had been asked from the beginning by Lord St John of Fawsley to speak in particular about the Carmelite mystics, John and Teresa but, of course, I did manage to find space also for a few Dominican voices!”

H/T to Angelicum Newsletter Blog  and the website for the order for this information.

Dominican students on Pope Benedict's address to young people in London

Some of our student brothers, based at our house of studies at Saint Saviour's, Dublin, reflect on Pope Benedict's address to those gathered (predominantly young people) recently in Hyde Park in London for a vigil in preparation for the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. The video is in two parts - and to see more of the video work and reflections of our students, please visit www.dominicansiteractive.com

Advent Message from Master of the Order

The following message is from fr Bruno Cadore, the newly elected Master of the Order, to all the members of the Dominican Order worldwide, as we enter into the season of Advent:

Dear Sisters, dear brothers,

 

A great many of you in these last few weeks have shown your solidarity for the sisters and brothers of Iraq, who are struggling, together with their fellow citizens, with the recent resurgence of violence that has once more struck the Christian communities of this country. These displays of fraternity that unite us are a strong and precious support for Iraq’s communities. And through them, we also express our solidarity with the whole population of the country that is oppressed by this violence.

 

In these days when we are about to begin our celebration of the season of Advent, it is with a renewed vigour that we should affirm once more our hope in the arrival of Him who comes to dwell among us and so bring Peace. Several months ago, at the time of another of these terrible outbreaks of violence, a young survivor declared that nothing, not even the death that had just occurred, should make us renounce love. In the face of violence, he thus witnessed to the only true strength and dignity of man.

 

To unite us with all those in the world who hold this hope, and in communion with all the oppressed Christian communities today, in particular those of Iraq, I suggest that you make the First Sunday of Advent a time of prayer for peace, in your conventual Churches and your communities. This time could last for the whole of Advent, and give rise to a moment of prayer together with the Dominican Family.

 

May the Lord of Peace fill the world with his justice and give the grace of peace in abundance!

 

Dominican vocations video from 1964

This promotional video (from 1964) by the Dominican friars of the Saint Joseph Province USA was called 'And the World Looks at Us' and was 28 minutes long in total. The 9 and a half minutes that you see here are excerpts from that. The video is pre-conciliar and show eucharistic liturgies from that era. From a vocational perspective though, it maintains a great interest because the essentials of Dominican life remain the same. And while the video is quasi-romantic in outlook, it still has a broad appeal. I hope that you enjoy.

Vocations in England and Wales are on the increase....

Some good news emerged last week from the annual conference of diocesan vocations directors of England and Wales with the news that September 2010 saw the numbers entering English seminaries to become Catholic priests at their highest level in a decade.
 
56 men began the journey towards priesthood this year.  “The number of people responding to the call of Christ to be priests and religious has been rising slowly but surely,” said Fr Stephen Lanrgidge, Chairman of the Vocations Directors of England and Wales, “and may rise further as people respond to the visit of Pope Benedict.”

At their annual conference held last week at Oscott seminary in Birmingham, the Vocations Directors discussed the approaches to vocations work that have contributed to this increase.  Many dioceses and religious orders now run discernment groups for young men and women where all vocations are discussed.  Such groups encourage lay, religious and priestly vocations.


Fr Christopher Jamison OSB, Director of the National Office of Vocation, commented, “When everybody in the Church takes seriously Newman’s insight that ‘God has created me to do him some definite service,’ then a greater number discover their call to the priesthood and religious life.”

Vocations directors also discussed new ways to promote this culture of vocation.  Invocation was a festival held in Birmingham in July 2010 for Catholics aged 16-35 who are discerning their vocation and some 300 young people attended.  This was so popular that it is being held again next year from June 17 to 19.
Schools are now being provided with high quality on-line materials and youth ministers are developing new approaches to bringing the gospel to life for the young. 

Attending events such as World Youth Day is an important experience that opens the eyes of many people to the richness of life in the Church and plans for English and Welsh participation are well developed.

Media reaction to recent Dominican ordination

The recent ordination of Father David Barrins OP has generated some media interest on a national level in Ireland. Yesterday, Fr David gave a very good interview to one of Ireland's most listened to morning radio programmes (the John Murray show) on the national broadcaster RTE. You can listen to the interview by clicking the play button below (and just be a liitle patient to allow it to start):


Also yesterday, one of Ireland's national newspapers ran a front page story on the ordination. The article appeared in the Irish Examiner and you can read it here.

David Barrins OP is ordained to the priesthood

The priestly ordination of our brother David Barrins OP took place today in the priory church of Saint Mary's, Pope's Quay, Cork on the feast of our Lord Jesus Christ Universal King. The bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckey DD was the principal celebrant and ordaining prelate. The homily was preached by Fr Ciaran Dougherty OP. Father David was joined by his family, friends and his Domincan brethren at the ordination ceremony. Below are some images of the day.

The entrance procession

David Barrins OP

The Gospel is proclaimed by the deacon

The homily is preached

Promising obedience

Prostration

The laying on of hands

Anointing of hands

Vestition

The offertory procession

Receiving the chalice and paten

Reading part of eucharistic prayer

The Salve Regina is sung at the end of Mass

Father David with members of his family along with Bishop Buckley

A blessing for Bishop Buckley

Irish Dominican Vocations wishes Father David every blessing in his priestly ministry. He will celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving tomorrow evening in his home parish of Colloney, County Sligo.