Performance of ‘Twelve Angry Men’ at Pontifical Irish College
Posted on 03. Mar, 2017 by John Coughlan in Carousel
Members of the community of the Pontifical Irish College, Rome, performed Reginald Rose’s play, Twelve Angry Men, directed by Joseph Keegan, at the College on St Patrick’s Day, Friday 17th March and Saturday 18th March 2017.
The play is a courtroom drama about a jury that must reach a consensus on the basis of reasonable doubt, and the dynamics that unfold among the members as their deliberations proceed.
For photographs from the performance, click here.
Here is a reflection, written by Fr Colin Rothery:
Twelve Angry Men, St. Patrick and welcoming the Other as Gift
Reginald Rose’s play seems more relevant than ever, 60+ years after its publication. It has a lot to say to our world, full (as it always has been) of emmigrants and immigrants moving in search of a decent life free of danger, immigrants who may meet prejudice or openness. The Gospel brings a message of hope for the outsider, the accused, the prisoner (guilty or innocent), the one who is different, the outcast, the one on the other side of the wall. As Pope Francis put it in his Lenten message of 2014, ”Love makes us similar, it creates equality, it breaks down walls and eliminates distances.”
Christ brings hope of reconciliation when the distance between us seems unbridgeable, because he understands us from the inside, beyond our accents, our customs and our national blindspots. When a violent crime is committed, we know the hurt that’s caused, but do we ask what series of events lead to it, what sense of hopelessness or anger helped to push him or her to do what we ourselves might do were it not for God’s grace? As the 12 jurors talk, argue and shout, they (and we with them) come to understand that ‘everyone has a breaking point’. ”How many people no longer see meaning in life or prospects for the future, how many have lost hope! And how many are plunged into this destitution by unjust social conditions, by unemployment, which takes away their dignity as breadwinners, and by lack of equal access to education and health care.” (Pope Francis, Message for Lent, 2014). In Rose’s play, a young man from such a background is in danger of a death sentence. But is he guilty or innocent? Does he (or anyone) deserve a death sentence?
Christ knows what it means to have your life hang in the balance of other mens’ judgement. In a way, He is the immigrant personified, leaving the bosom of the Father in the incarnation, and putting himself in the position that the immigrant will always have: the end of the queue, the weakest, the one who is sometimes feared and sometimes driven out. He challenged his people to try to see the Samaritan and the pagan no longer as ”one of them”, but as a child of God. And He challenges us to go do the same.
St. Patrick lived among the Irish as a foreigner. No doubt he saw the good and the not so good side of the Irish, and who knows whether as a missionary bishop travelling around the country with a strange religion from another country, he heard someone shout from time to time, ”Go back to your own country! We have our own Gods! ” ? In our world, the temptation to look after ourselves first and others after, whether at an individual, local, national or even a faith level, continues and is even being encouraged in some quarters. But Christ has a different way. In his message for Lent 2017, Pope Francis speaks of the importance for Christians of seeing the other as gift, not as a threat.
One of jurors in 12 Angry Men expresses his fear of the other in these terms, ”they are different. They think different. They act different”, and while in a way that can be true, Rose’s play invites us to look below the surface, to do what Christ did: ”come and walk a mile in my shoes”. To try to understand where are differences come from, and more importantly what binds us together in the one humanity taken by Christ. ”12 Angry Men” makes a passionate (and very entertaining) plea to work for what Pope Francis calls ”the culture of encounter in our one human family.” (Lenten Message 2017).Fr. Colin Rothery
Admission to Candidacy 2017
Posted on 22. Feb, 2017 by John Coughlan in Carousel
Left to right: Front: Mr James Daly (Candidate), Mr Seán Mulligan (Candidate), Cardinal James Harvey, Mr Robert Smyth (Candidate).
Rear: Fr Paul Finnerty (Vice Rector), Fr Hugh Clifford (Director of Formation), Fr John Bauer (Director of Formation, St John Vianney Seminary, Minnesota), Fr Thomas Norris (Spiritual Director), Mons. Ciarán O’Carroll (Rector).
Three seminarians of the Pontifical Irish College, Rome, were admitted to Candidacy for ordination to Diaconate and Priesthood by Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, at a Mass in the College Chapel on 22nd February 2017. The new Candidates are Mr James Daly and Mr Robert Smyth of the Archdiocese of Dublin and Mr Seán Mulligan of the Diocese of Clogher. The three Candidates will be ordained to the Diaconate by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin on Easter Tuesday, 18th April 2017.
Ministry of Reader 2017
Posted on 11. Jan, 2017 by John Coughlan in Carousel
Left to right: Fr Paul Finnerty (Vice Rector), Fr Hugh Clifford (Director of Formation), Fr Thomas Norris (Spiritual Director), Cardinal Kevin Farrell (Prefect, Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life), Mr Colm Hagan (new Reader), Fr John Bauer (St John Vianney Seminary, Minnesota Director of Formation), Mons. Ciarán O’Carroll (Rector).
Mr Colm Hagan, a seminarian of the Archdiocese of Armagh, was conferred with the Ministry of Reader at a Mass in the College Chapel by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, on 11th January 2017.
The Ministry of Reader is a Church ministry in itself, but it is also one of the steps along the way in formation for the Priesthood.
Here is the description of the Ministry of Reader from the Apostolic Letter, ‘Ministeria quaedam’ of Blessed Pope Paul VI (August 15, 1972):
‘The reader is appointed for a function proper to him, that of reading the word of God in the liturgical assembly. Accordingly, he is to read the lessons from sacred Scripture, except for the Gospel, in the Mass and other celebrations; he is to recite the psalm between the readings when there is no psalmist; he is to present the intentions for the general intercessions in the absence of a deacon or cantor; he is to direct the singing and the participation of the faithful; he is to instruct the faithful for the worthy reception of the sacraments. He may also, insofar as necessary, take care of preparing other faithful who by a temporary appointment are to read the Scriptures in liturgical celebrations. That he may more fittingly and perfectly fulfill these functions, let him meditate assiduously on sacred Scripture.
Let the reader be aware of the office he has undertaken and make every effort and employ suitable means to acquire that increasingly warm and living love and knowledge of Scripture that will make him a more perfect disciple of the Lord.’
Carol Service 2016
Posted on 28. Nov, 2016 by John Coughlan in Carousel
The annual Advent Carol Service at the Pontifical Irish College, Rome, took place on Sunday, 11th December 2016 at 17.00. A large congregation attended and the Pontifical Irish College choir was joined by the West Wicklow Voices choir.
For photographs of the occasion, click here.
Jubilee of Mercy Conference
Posted on 19. Nov, 2016 by John Coughlan in Carousel
Left to right: Fr Paul Finnerty (Vice Rector), Fr Thomas Norris (Spiritual Director), Archbishop Rino Fisichella (President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation), Fr Hugh Clifford (Director of Formation), Mons. Ciarán O’Carroll (Rector).
To mark the conclusion of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Pontifical Irish College Rome held a special Jubilee of Mercy Conference on Friday and Saturday, 18th and 19th November 2016. The formation staff worked collaboratively to organise the conference, and had great assistance from the seminarian community, postgraduate priest student community, and the College staff.
Friday evening’s proceedings were chaired by the Ambassador of Ireland to the Holy See, H.E. Emma Madigan. The speaker was Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation. He spoke from a unique vantage point as the person tasked by Pope Francis with overseeing the organisation of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. The title of Archbishop Fisichella’s talk was ‘Mercy: the heart of the Church’s life’. In his talk, the Archbishop traced the meaning of the word ‘mercy’, and gave insights into Pope Francis’s thinking in calling an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. He spoke of his experiences alongside the Pope during the Jubilee Year. He spoke of the need for mercy to be a strong element in the Church’s vocabulary and life.
On Saturday morning, the proceedings were chaired by Sr Rosarii O’Connor SMG, of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God at the Spanish Steps, and the speakers were Fr Roberto Cherubini of the Community of Sant’Egidio and Dr Mary McCaughey, a theologian. Dr McCaughey’s talk was entitled ‘Mercy and our understanding of God’. She spoke about our image of God, the relationship between God’s mercy and his justice, God in himself and God giving himself to us, and the role of the Holy Spirit in helping us to be people of mercy. Drawing on the work of major theologians and the Church Magisterium, she developed the theological aspects of our view of God’s mercy and human mercy. Fr Cherubini’s talk was entitled ‘The street as our teacher: learning the language of mercy from the poor’. He spoke about living a life of mercy towards the poor, and illustrated his reflections with anecdotes from his experience caring for the poor on the streets of Rome.
Lively question and answer sessions took place on both Friday evening and Saturday morning as participants and speakers teased out some of the issues raised about receiving God’s mercy and living a merciful life.
Fr Thomas Norris, the College’s Spiritual Director, was the principal celebrant for the Mass on Saturday. His homily continued the reflection on the theme of mercy, in the light of the focus on eternal life of the day’s Gospel reading.
All the participants shared in a buffet lunch after Mass, at the end of which Sr Thérèse of the Missionaries of Charity gave a reflection on mercy, drawing on the life and words of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her own experiences as a Missionary of Charity.
To view photographs of the conference, click here.
For the talk given by Fr Roberto Cherubini on Saturday morning, ‘The street as our teacher: Learning the language of mercy from the poor’, click here
For the talk given by Sr Thérèse Magdala of the Missionaries of Charity after lunch on Saturday, ‘Mother Teresa – becoming mercy’, click here.
Ministry of Acolyte
Posted on 16. Nov, 2016 by John Coughlan in Carousel
(Left to right) Front row: Declan McGeehan, Tony Shannon, Bishop Paul Tighe, Seán Mulligan, Anthony Briody. Back row: Fr Paul Finnerty (Vice Rector), Fr Hugh Clifford (Director of Formation), Fr Thomas Norris (Spiritual Director), Fr John Bauer (St John Vianney Seminary, Minnesota Director of Formation), Mons. Ciarán O’Carroll (Rector).
Four seminarians of the Pontifical Irish College, Rome, were instituted as Acolytes by Bishop Paul Tighe, Adjunct Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, at Mass in the College Chapel on 16th November 2016. Those conferred with the Ministry of Acolyte were: Declan McGeehan (Diocese of Derry), Seán Mulligan (Diocese of Clogher), Anthony Briody (Diocese of Raphoe), and Tony Shannon (Diocese of Meath).
The role of an Acolyte is set out in Pope Paul VI’s Motu proprio, ‘Ministeria quaedam’ of 1972:
‘The acolyte is appointed in order to aid the deacon and to minister to the priest. It is his duty therefore to attend to the service of the altar and to assist the deacon and the priest in liturgical celebrations, especially in the celebration of Mass; he is also to distribute communion as a special minister when the ministers spoken of in the Codex Iuris Canonici can. 845 are not available or are prevented by ill health, age, or another pastoral ministry from performing this function, or when the number of communicants is so great that the celebration of Mass would be unduly prolonged. In the same extraordinary circumstances an acolyte may be entrusted with publicly exposing the Blessed Sacrament for adoration by the faithful and afterward replacing it, but not with blessing the people. He may also, to the extent needed, take care of instructing other faithful who on a temporary basis are appointed to assist the priest or deacon in liturgical celebrations by carrying the missal, cross, candles, etc., or by performing other such duties. He will perform these functions more worthily if he participates in the holy Eucharist with increasingly fervent devotion, receives nourishment from it, and deepens his knowledge about it.
As one set aside in a special way for the service of the altar, the acolyte should learn all matters concerning public divine worship and strive to grasp their inner spiritual meaning: in that way he will be able each day to offer himself entirely to God, be an example to all by his gravity and reverence in Church, and have a sincere love for the Mystical Body of Christ, the people of God, especially for the weak and the sick.’
Jubilee of Mercy Conference
Posted on 17. Oct, 2016 by John Coughlan in Uncategorized
The Pontifical Irish College, Rome, will host a special conference at the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th November 2016.
On Friday evening, at 20.00, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation will share his insights from his unique vantage point as the one tasked by Pope Francis to oversee the Extraordinary Jubilee Year. On Saturday morning, at 10.00 theologian Dr Mary McCaughey will speak on mercy and our understanding of God. After the coffee break, then at 11.15, Fr Roberto Cherubini of the Community of Sant’Egidio will speak about merciful outreach to the poor, drawing on his ministry to the poor in Rome. The celebration of Mass will follow, with buffet lunch to conclude.
Friday 18th November 2016:
(Chair: H.E. Emma Madigan, Ambassador of Ireland to the Holy See)
20.00: Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation: ‘Mercy: The Heart of the Church’s Life’
Saturday 19th November 2016:
(Chair: To be announced)
10.00 – 10.45: Dr Mary McCaughey, theologian: ‘Mercy and our understanding of God’
10.45 – 11.15: Coffee break
11.15 – 12.00: Fr Roberto Cherubini, Community of Sant’Egidio: ‘The street as our teacher: Learning the language of mercy from the poor.’
12.30: Mass
Buffet to conclude
‘Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life. All of her pastoral activity should be caught up in the tenderness she makes present to believers; nothing in her preaching and in her witness to the world can be lacking in mercy. The Church’s very credibility is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate love.’ – Pope Francis, Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, Misericordiae Vultus.
Time for Priests 2016: ‘The Priest and the Ministry of Mercy’
Posted on 17. Sep, 2016 by John Coughlan in Carousel
‘The Priest and the Ministry of Mercy’
During these days in the city of the apostles Peter and Paul, participants were afforded an opportunity to reflect on the theme “The Priest and the Ministry of Mercy”. The five days included a series of talks, liturgies and guided visits to significant Churches and Basilicas in Rome, a day of spiritual recollection and reflection, a pilgrimage to Monte Cassino, as well as an opportunity to attend a General Audience with Pope Francis.
Presentations were given by the following:
- Bishop Paul Tighe, Pontifical Council for Culture, reflected on the theme ‘Towards a Culture of Mercy – making known the Good News of God’s unconditional love for all’.
- Ms. Alice Leahy of the Alice Leahy Trust, Dublin, spoke about reaching out in mercy to the poor.
- Ms. Frances Rowland, Diocese of Kerry Pastoral Team, focused on experiencing and living mercy today.
- Fr. Tom Norris, Pontifical Irish College, Rome, conducted a day of reflection.
For enquiries about next year’s Time for Priests, please telephone the Pontifical Irish College on the main office number at 00 39 06 772 631 or email ufficio@irishcollege.org
To view photographs from the Time for Priests, click here.
Course for Parishioners 2016: ‘Opening the door of mercy’
Posted on 09. Sep, 2016 by John Coughlan in Carousel
‘Opening the door of mercy’
During these days in the city of the apostles Peter and Paul, participants had the opportunity to reflect on the theme of “Opening the Door of Mercy”. The five days included a series of talks, liturgies and guided visits to significant Churches and Basilicas in Rome, a day of spiritual recollection and reflection, a pilgrimage to Monte Cassino, as well as an opportunity to attend a General Audience with Pope Francis.
Presentations were given by the following:
- Msgr. Ciarán O’Carroll, Pontifical Irish College, Rome, led the participants through the Holy Doors at the Basilica of St. Peter and the Basilica of St. John Lateran. He also gave reflections on the theme of Mercy in the Baptistry of St. John Lateran.
- Fr. Tom Norris, Pontifical Irish College, Rome, conducted a day of reflection.
- Fr. Hugh Clifford, Pontifical Irish College, Rome, spoke on “Formation: Letting God open us to mercy” and led the participants through the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls.
- Ms. Frances Rowland, Diocese of Kerry Pastoral Team, focused on experiencing and living mercy today.
If you wish to inquire about next year’s Course for parishioners, please telephone the Pontifical Irish College on the main office number at 00 39 06 772 631 or email ufficio@irishcollege.org or write to Pontifical Irish College, Via Dei S.S. Quattro, 1, 00184 Roma, Italy.
To view photographs from the 2016 Course for Parishioners, click here.
To view or download the flyer for the Course for Parishoners, Course for Parishioners flyer 2016 Irish College Rome
Ordination of Fr Stephen Duffy
Posted on 07. Aug, 2016 by John Coughlan in Carousel
Fr Stephen Duffy
Fr Stephen Duffy, a seminarian of the Pontifical Irish College, Rome, was ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Liam McDaid, Bishop of Clogher, in St Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan, on Sunday 24th July 2016.
To view photographs of Fr Stephen’s ordination and first Mass, click here.