Tuesday, April 29, 2014

New Book: JPII - Access All Areas - The Thought of the Saint

A recently published book to coincide with the canonisation of Pope John Paul II is now widely available throughout Ireland. It is edited by Fr John Harris OP who is the regent of studies for the Irish Dominican province.

The book is divided into 23 short readable chapters enabling readers of all backgrounds to understand better Saint John Paul's various writings. Some of the contributors include Breda O' Brien (journalist) on John Paul II and the dignity of women, John Waters (journalist and commentator) on the late Pope's thoughts on the worker, fr Alan O' Sullivan OP on the new saint's teaching on sexuality and Fr Gerard Dolan on John Paul and the Eucharist.

The new publication is an initiative of 'OnebyOne Press' http://onexone.ie/books/ and is available to purchase from them and also from Veritas stores nationwide www.veritas.ie

Blessed Guiseppe Girotti OP - a new 'Blessed' for the Order


On Saturday last, April 26th, the Dominican Order celebrated the beatification of an Italian friar who led an extraordinary life.

Born in Alba, Italy, in 1905, Girotti entered the Dominican seminary at Chieri at the age of 13 and took his vows in 1923. He was ordained in 1930 and continued his studies in Sacred Scripture at the Angelicum in Rome and the École Biblique in Jerusalem, where he was a student of Marie-Joseph Lagrange. He then became a professor of Sacred Scripture at the Dominican seminary in Turin.

Following the Nazi occupation of Italy in 1943, Girotti became part of an underground network that provided aide to Italian Jews, including helping them find places to hide from the authorities and providing them with false papers. The following year, he was arrested after being caught in the act of aiding a wounded Jewish person and eventually sent to the concentration camp at Dachau.

According to his fellow inmates, Girotti distinguished himself in the camp by his generosity and his gentleness. Under the harsh conditions, he soon fell ill and was transferred to the infirmary, where he died on 1 April 1945. He was likely killed by a lethal injection of gasoline, as was common treatment of ill prisoners at the time.

Following his death, his fellow prisoners carved into his bunk: “Here slept Saint Giuseppe Girotti”.
In 1995, the State of Israel posthumously recognized him as Righteous Among the Nations for his efforts to protect Italian Jews.

Documentary on Cistercian nuns

A recent documentary on RTE television (the national television network) featured the Cistercian nuns in County Waterford. It is the only community of Cistercian nuns in Ireland. The very well made programme follows the life of the community over the period of some months and includes footage of the community at prayer and work. From a vocations perspective, the reception of a novice is a highlight - and the journey that the particular novice makes through a process of discernment with the community.

The Cistercian nuns are to be applauded for allowing the rare access to a documentary crew within their enclosure because it does a great service to the contemplative and religious life but also to the promotion of vocations to all the forms of religious life in Ireland.

The documentary will be available for viewing for the next couple of weeks on the RTE player service. You can view it here: http://www.rte.ie/player/ie/show/10275320/

For more information on the Cistercian nuns in Ireland, please visit: http://www.glencairnabbey.org/

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Music for Holy Week and Easter - supporting a Dominican project.


"Célí Dé collective" - Hymns of Passion & Resurrection is a collection of traditional Irish music for Holy Week and Easter.

From "Caoineadh na dtrí Muire" to "An t-Aiséirí ("Lament of the three Marys" to "The Resurrection") the collection is a musical accompaniment for the events celebrated during the Great Week.

The collection is already available for purchase in iTunes and will be available in music shops from April 12th.

Proceeds from sales will go to the Dominican summer camp at Knockadoon, County Cork.
Go to the Célí Dé website - http://www.celide.ie/

Watch a video of Caoineadh na dtrí Muire:

 

Monday, April 14, 2014

Conversations on John Paul II continued.....

The second and third videos in the series on Blessed John Paul II from our student brothers in Saint Saviour's, Dublin reflect on John Paul II on the culture of life and World Youth Days.



For more, follow the preaching apostolate of our student brothers at www.dominicansinteractive.com

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

A tribute to Fr Noel Meade OP (RIP)

  

Fr Noel Meade OP of our Galway community died a month ago. Fr Noel spent much of his Dominican life as a missionary in South America. The picture above and the brief tribute below is from Radio Saint Dominic, which fr Noel was instrumental in setting up.

RSD (Radio Saint Dominic) reports the birth to the Lord who in life was fr. Noel Meade, O.P.

This morning (March 3rd, 2014) we heard of the death of fr. Noel Meade, O.P. Fr. Meade - one of the inspirations of the creation of this radio station - has died at the age of 71. His death was triggered by health problems he suffered for the past 3 years; in the last 6 days he was operated on 4 occasions.

Fr. Noel Meade was born in Ireland on 9 December 1942. He worked as pastor of the parish St. Peter from 2001 until 2004. Belonging to the province of Ireland, he spent 2 years in this country then left Chimbote and then worked for 4 years in Uruguay.

Today RSD pays tribute to this great man who gave his unconditional and selfless support to us.
We pray that fr. Noel Meade is resting in peace.


Dominican Connect - April 2014 issue

The April 2014 edition of Dominican Connect the newsletter from the vocations office of the Irish Dominican friars has recently been published and is available from all the usual outlets.

This month's edition features an article on the lay Dominicans by Monica Rapenau in light of the recent letter of the Master of the Order on the vocation of the lay Dominicans and preaching. There is also further news on the lay Dominicans as some of their chapters prepare to welcome new members and receive the life promises of others.

News and events of upcoming retreats, preaching engagements of the friars, and the upcoming canonisation of Blessed John Paul II are highlighted.

Bro Colm Mannion OP, one of our deacons and soon to be ordained to the priesthood is our featured friar in this issue.

To download an electronic copy of the April edition of Dominican Connect click on this link:
http://www.dominicanfriars.ie/Dominican_Connect/volume02/Dominican_Connect_v02n08apr2014.pdf