Catholics in Ireland are now faced with so many challenges to their Faith, that it is sometimes said “Why be so concerned if everything is not exactly right in our liturgy – there are more important things going on in the Church. As long as people are still going to Mass what does it matter?” In the attempt to reply to this, let us confine ourselves to a few points that are so fundamental in that no discussion … Read More
Only a society which has embraced relativism could possibly accept works of art such as bunny rabbits and basketfuls of eggs displayed in our churches during the Easter season. According to the creed of relativism, each church is entitled to decorate the sacred space in an individual way and in whatever manner is deemed “meaningful” for the people. Of course “meaningful” only really applies to those in charge of liturgy whether they are the members of the liturgy group, the … Read More
The Eagle, the king among the birds of the air as the lion is king among the beasts of the earth, graces more than a few pages of the Sacred Scriptures. The swiftness and height of the eagle’s flight is often referenced by the Sacred Authors. Sometimes the eagle represents sin, death and destruction. Other times he represents the love of God for his people, and the saints for God. As the eagle is the king of birds, it is … Read More
It is surely without precedent in the tradition of Catholicism that people who still call themselves Catholic can attend a Naming Day ritual in place of Baptism. If this occurs it must certainly be only because the sacraments of the Church, which were instituted by Jesus Christ, are not recognised or understood. This leads to the conclusion that the nature of grace acting on the soul of the individual is also not acknowledged or understood. We most often encounter the … Read More
Having spent the three weeks of Septuagesima in meditating upon our spiritual infirmities and upon the wounds caused in us by sin, we should be ready to enter upon the penitential season which the Church has now begun. We have now a clearer knowledge of the justice and holiness of God, and of the dangers that await an impenitent soul; and, that our repentance might be earnest and lasting, we have bade farewell to the vain joys and baubles of … Read More
I am faced with a difficult task today for I wish to reflect upon the latest Apostolic Letter issued ‘Motu Proprio’ by the Supreme Pontiff Francis, which was published on July 16th, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This ‘Motu Proprio’ has understandably caused quite a stir within the Catholic Church. Since I began writing for Catholic Voice in December 2013, I have never once criticised Pope Francis in my writings and I do not intend to do … Read More
From The Garden of Eden in the beginning, to Gethsemane and the garden near Calvary and the Holy Sepulchre where our Lord was crucified and buried, and to the Tree of Life in the heavenly Jerusalem in the Apocalypse, there are gardens at key moments in Sacred Scripture. Surprisingly, the Bible does not tell us what flowers where found in these gardens, yet flowers do appear in other places in Holy Writ. Sometimes flowers are used by the inspired authors … Read More
When we are wearied with speculation and uncertainty in regard to what is happening in our beloved Church, let us take the time to watch and pray in silence at the liturgical shrine at Knock. Our Blessed Mother has been assumed body and soul into heaven and it is in her glory as Queen that she has revealed herself here. “The brightest splendours of the Lamb’s redemption fall on her. Immaculate – radiant white she stands, flooding the still amazement … Read More
It seems like a contradiction to say some positive effects arose from the various restrictions we endured while helping to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Those faithful people who did their best as far as possible, to attend Mass, were overjoyed when eventually they were permitted to be present actually and not virtually, for the Sunday celebration in their own parish. One priest reported that the congregation spontaneously joined together in singing “Queen of the May” at the end … Read More
The latest motu proprio of Pope Francis, ‘Traditionis Custodes’, reversing the legislation of his predecessors, St. John Paul II (1984 and 1988) and Benedict XVI (2007), on the use of the Missal of Pope St. Pius V, can only be seen as a contradiction of the two themes of his papacy – Mercy and “who am I to judge”. It is difficult to read Pope Francis’ letter to bishops without concluding that it is highly judgemental and omits even the … Read More
