A Time for Priests: 16-21 Sept 2013
Posted on 14. Apr, 2013 by John Coughlan in Carousel
Aspect of ‘The Calling of Saint Matthew’, Caravaggio (1599)
A Time for Priests – Year of Faith
The Pontifical Irish College Rome hosted a time of reflection, renewal and relaxation, from 16th to 21st September 2013, for priests who wished to avail of an opportunity to spend some days in Rome during the Year of Faith. The course provided participants with an opportunity to visit Rome while deepening their theological awareness through lectures and lived experience of the Church and City.
Those leading this year’s course included:
Dr. Brendan Leahy D.D., Bishop of Limerick
Fr. Tim Lehane SVD, Secretary General, Propagation of the Faith
Most Rev. Eamon Martin, Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh
Fr. Paul Murray OP, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas
Liturgies were celebrated each day in the College Chapel with its beautiful Marko Rupnik mosaics and in other Churches and Basilicas in Rome and beyond. A general audience with the Holy Father, a trip to Assisi, a day of reflection and recollection as well as an opportunity to enjoy many of the artistic and cultural delights of Rome formed part of this year’s programme.
The course participants are pictured in the Chapel of the Irish College with Archbishop Eamon Martin, Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh, after concelebrating Mass with him during the Time for Priests.
To see more photographs from the ‘Time for Priests’, click http://www.flickr.com/photos/irishcollege/sets/72157635698883225/
If you wish make enquiries about next year’s course, please telephone the Irish College on the main office number at 00 39 06 772 631 or email ufficio@irishcollege.org
‘Discovering our Baptism, The Discipleship of the Laity’ Course 2013
Posted on 14. Apr, 2013 by John Coughlan in Carousel
9th – 14th September 2013
During these days in the city of the apostles Peter and Paul, participants were afforded an opportunity to reflect on the journey of faith. The week included a series of talks, liturgies and guided visits to significant Churches and Basilicas in Rome, a day of spiritual recollection and reflection as well as a pilgrimage to the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino. The course centred on the call to discipleship and holiness of life in this Year of Faith.
Presentations were given by the staff of the Pontifical Irish College:
- Msgr. Ciarán O’Carroll focused on Christian history with visits to significant places of interest in the early Christian story.
- Fr. George Hayes reflected on Culture and Art and their importance in the Church’s tradition.
- Fr. Hugh Clifford will offer insights into the the formation of priests, and how this relates to the call of all the baptised.
To express an interest in the course for next year, please telephone the Irish College on the main office number at 00 39 06 772 631 or email ufficio@irishcollege.org
Participants of the 2013 course with the Irish College formation staff.
For more photographs from the course, see http://www.flickr.com/photos/irishcollege/sets/72157635564842623/
Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas: Summer Course – ‘Vatican II and the New Evangelization’
Posted on 14. Apr, 2013 by John Coughlan in Carousel
Lay Centre Course description:
‘From its beginning, the Church has sought to respond to the call of God to evangelize, or to share the Good News of our faith in Jesus Christ. In the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi, Pope Paul VI goes so far as to say that evengelization is an essential part of the Church’s mission: “We wish to confirm once more that the task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church. It is a task and mission which the vast and profound changes of the present day society make all the more urgent. Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize.” (paragraph 14) This course will explore how the Church through the ages, as reflected in the art and architecture of the City of Rome, has fulfilled this mission.’
Registration for this program is open to the public who would like to audit this summer theology program. For more information, please contact Prof. Robert White: white@laycentre.org
For a more details from the Lay Centre website, see http://www.laycentre.org/vaticanII_newevang_2013.html
Four Deacons ordained at Pontifical Irish College, Rome
Posted on 02. Apr, 2013 by John Coughlan in Carousel
Photo: (left to right): Fr George Hayes, Vice Rector, Mons. Ciarán O’Carroll, Rector, Rev. Dominic McGrattan, Rev. Patrick O’Donoghue, Archbishop Dermot Clifford, ordaining Bishop, Rev. Brian Fitzpatrick, Rev. Liam Boyle, Fr Hugh Clifford, Director of Formation, Fr Brendan Kelly CSsR, Spiritual Director.
On Easter Tuesday, 2nd April 2013, four seminarians from the Pontifical Irish College in Rome were ordained deacons in the fourth century Basilica of Saints John and Paul by Archbishop Dermot Clifford of Cashel and Emly. During the ceremony, attended by over one hundred family members and friends from Ireland, Archbishop Clifford recalled his own diaconate fifty years ago during the time of the Second Vatican Council.
Archbishop Clifford reminded the new deacons that the life of a deacon is a life of service, particularly service of the poor. He praised the candidates for their courage in undertaking a lifelong commitment to celibacy and service. He reminded the four new deacons that the election of Pope Francis has signalled a time of hope and joy for the universal Church.
Liam Boyle (25) of the Diocese of Raphoe entered the seminary following completion of his secondary education. Three of those ordained are graduates of Trinity College, Dublin. Brian Fitzpatrick (35) of the Diocese of Dromore is a medical doctor and past winner of the Young Scientists competition. Dominic McGrattan (29) of the Diocese of Down and Connor is a graduate in law while Pat O’Donoghue (35) of the Diocese of Cloyne is a pharmacy graduate. All four deacons are currently studying theology at the Jesuit-run Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome following previous seminary studies for three of them at St. Patrick’s College Maynooth and for the other at St. Malachy’s College, Belfast. Ordination to the diaconate is most often received one year prior to ordination to the priesthood.
The Irish College in Rome dates from 1628 and has been educating generations of priests for service in Ireland’s twenty six dioceses since then. The four deacons were among students of the Irish College who assisted newly elected Pope Francis during the Good Friday liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday last. Commenting on the ordination of the four deacons, the Rector of the College, Msgr. Ciaran O’Carroll, said that “it is heartening to witness the courage and dedication of these four men as they begin their life of ministry and service of the Gospel and the Catholic Church in Ireland”.
Good Friday serving with Pope Francis
Posted on 31. Mar, 2013 by John Coughlan in Carousel
On Good Friday, 29th March 2013, the seminarians of the Pontifical Irish College, Rome, served at the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord with Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Basilica.
‘Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the salvation of the world.’
For photographs, click here.
Admission to Candidacy
Posted on 07. Mar, 2013 by John Coughlan in Carousel
Three seminarians of the Irish College were admitted to Candidacy for ordination to Diaconate and Priesthood by Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, at Mass on Wednesday, 26th February 2013. Those admitted were: Dominic McGrattan (Diocese of Down and Connor), Liam Boyle (Diocese of Raphoe) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Diocese of Dromore). The candidates are pictured with Monsignor Ciarán O’Carroll, Rector, Rev. Raymond Donnelly, Deacon for the Mass, Cardinal Desmond Connell, Archbishop Emeritus of Dublin, Cardinal Peter Turkson, celebrant of the Mass, Fr George Hayes, Vice Rector, and Fr Hugh Clifford, Director of Formation. For photographs of the occasion, see http://www.flickr.com/photos/irishcollege/sets/72157632864367377/
Visit of President Michael D. Higgins
Posted on 07. Mar, 2013 by John Coughlan in Carousel
On Friday, 8th February 2013, the President of Ireland, Mr Michael D. Higgins and his wife, Mrs Sabina Higgins visited the Pontifical Irish College, Rome, during an official visit by the President to Italy. President and Mrs. Higgins are seen in this picture signing the Visitors Book, accompanied by Monsignor Ciarán O’Carroll, Rector of the College. For photos of the occasion, see http://www.flickr.com/photos/irishcollege/sets/72157632714816743/
Ministry of Acolyte
Posted on 16. Jan, 2013 by John Coughlan in Carousel
On Wedneday, 16th January 2013, four seminarians of the Pontifical Irish College were conferred with the Ministry of Acolyte by Archbishop Arthur Roche, Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, in the College Chapel. The new Acolytes are: Conor McCarthy (Diocese of Down and Connor), Matthew Dillon (Diocese of Down and Connor), Stephen Duffy (Diocese of Clogher), and Marius O’Reilly (Diocese of Cork and Ross).
Picture shows Archbishop Roche with the four new Acolytes, and (left to right): Rev. Raymond Donnelly, Deacon for the Mass, Monsignor Ciarán O’Carroll, Rector, Fr Hugh Clifford, Director of Formation, and Fr George Hayes, Vice Rector.
‘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.’ – Pope Paul VI, Apostolic Letter given motu proprio: Ministeria quaedam, 15 August 1972.
Irish College Deacon assists Pope at Mass in Sistine Chapel
Posted on 11. Jan, 2013 by John Coughlan in Carousel
On Sunday, 13th January 2013, Rev. Raymond Donnelly, a Deacon studying at the Pontifical Irish College, Rome, for the Diocese of Clogher, was one of the Deacons for Mass for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in the Sistine Chapel, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI.
Irish College Advent Carol Service 2012
Posted on 12. Dec, 2012 by John Coughlan in Carousel
The annual Service of Readings and Carols followed by festivities and refreshments will take place at the Irish College, Rome on Sunday, 16th December at 17.00. All warmly invited.