Apostolic Visitation
Posted on 26. Feb, 2011 by John Coughlan in Carousel
The Apostolic Visitation to the Pontifical Irish College, Rome took place from January 17th until January 21st . The Archbishop of New York, Archbishop Timothy Dolan lead the visitation. He was accompanied by Most Reverend Edwin O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore and Monsignor Francis Kelly, Superior, Casa Santa Maria, Rome.
Pope Benedict XVI in his pastoral letter to the Catholics of Ireland stated that the visitation is “intended to assist the local Church on her path of renewal”. The visitation concluded with the visitors and the College community celebrating the Eucharist at the tomb of St Peter.
Ministries Mass
Posted on 26. Feb, 2011 by John Coughlan in Carousel
Recently in the college we were delighted to celebrate the ministry of lector here in the college. Archbishop Tobin was the celebratant.
The ministry of lector is a step towards priesthood which emphasises the priest as minister of the Word. The ministry is conferred by a Bishop during Mass.
A lector is commissioned to proclaim the Word of God in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith, and prepare them to receive the Sacraments.
During the rite, the Bishop addresses the seminarians receiving the ministry in these words
Through his Son, who became man for us, God the Father has revealed the mystery of salvation and brought it to fulfillment. Jesus Christ made all things known to us and then entrusted his Church with the mission of preaching the Gospel to the whole world.
As readers and bearers of God’s word, you will assist in this mission, and so take on a special office within the Christian community; you will be given a responsibility in the service of the faith, which is rooted in the word of God. You will proclaim that word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily. You will bring the message of salvation to those who have not yet received it. Thus with your help men and women will come to know God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ, whom he sent, and so be able to reach eternal life.
In proclaiming God’s word to others, accept it yourselves in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Meditate on it constantly, so that each day you will have a deeper love of the Scriptures, and in all you say and do show forth to the world our Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Bishop then hands the book of Sacred Scriptures to each seminarian saying
Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His People
Candidacy
Posted on 26. Feb, 2011 by John Coughlan in Carousel
The Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Diaconate and Priesthood is usually celebrated during Mass and conferred by a Bishop. In the Irish tradition it marks the final stage of preparation for ordination to the diaconate and subsequently as a priest.
This rite is celebrated when a man who aspires to the priesthood has completed the necessary human, spiritual, academic and pastoral formation to be publicly accepted as a candidate for ordination. His intention to receive the Sacrament of Orders is expressed publicly and accepted by the bishop. In accordance with Church Law, a person is not to be ordained unless he has first been enrolled among the candidates through the liturgical rite of admission to candidacy.
In the rite, the bishop addressed the candidates saying,
“Aware of the Lord’s concern for his flock and realising the needs of the Church, our brothers consider themselves ready to respond generously to the call of the Lord. Trusting the Lord in whom they put the hope of faithfully pursuing their vocation, they say with the Prophet, ‘Here I am, send me.’”
Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York conferred the rote of admission to candidacy to six Irish College seminarians on 19 January 2011.
First Mass
Posted on 26. Feb, 2011 by John Coughlan in Carousel
Don Marco Veghini, a student of the Irish College, was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of Albenga-Imperia, Italy on Saturday 18 December 2010. The ordaining prelate was the Bishop of Albenga-Imperia, Most Revd Mario Oliveri and the Irish College was represented at the ordination by the rector, Monsignor Liam Bergin.
Don Marco celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving in the Irish College chapel on Wednesday 12 January 2011. He continues his license studies in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University
Christian Unity Week
Posted on 26. Feb, 2011 by John Coughlan in Carousel
Each year during the days immediately prior to the feast of the Conversion of St Paul (25 January) the Irish College joins with the universal Church in praying for unity among Christians. The theme chosen this year by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches was ‘One in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer (cf. Acts 2:42)’.
The preacher at the Irish College liturgy this year was Monsignor Roderick Strange, Rector of the Pontifical Beda College, Rome and his reflection centred on Blessed John Henry Newman.
The Irish College community includes three members of Orthodox Churches invited by the Holy See to come to study in Rome.
Confirmation 2011
Posted on 19. Feb, 2011 by John Coughlan in Carousel
You are asked to remember in your prayers the members of the Pontifical Irish College sacramental preparation programme who will receive the sacrament of First Holy Communion and those who will receive the sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday 29 May 2011. Most Revd Patrick Walsh Bishop Emeritus of Down and Connor will preside at the liturgy.
Irish College seminarians help English speaking cildren resident in Rome to prepare for the sacraments of the First Holy Communion and Confirmation. The children attend 10am Mass in the College each Sunday with their families and class takes place immiediately afterwards. Parents are also invited to take part in monthly adult faith formation meetings while thier children are at class.