The ‘full hand of faith’…..

“There’s an urgency about this book, a real concern for justice that has been a central passion of its author for as long as I’ve known him”. So said theologian Jim Corkery SJ at the launch of Gerry O’Hanlon SJ’s book Theology in the Public Square, in Ozanam House, Tuesday 13 April. The event was organised by the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, and their theologian, Cathy Molloy, chaired proceedings. Gerry O’Hanlon told those gathered that the sensus fidelium (sense of the faithful) had not been cherished by the institutional Church, and the challenge today was for Catholics to find their voice and make sure that it was heard and respected in conversation and debate. The book is published by Columba Press, and you can read the full text of Jim Corkery’s analysis of the book below. Also, see photos on Flickr. Read more »

Jesuitica: Broken Leg Day

Sixty years ago in the Jesuit noviciate at Emo, Co. Laois, the novices would mark particular feasts with a cup of coffee after dinner. One such occasion was Broken Leg Day, commemorating the breaking of St Ignatius’ leg by a cannonball, which signalled an end to the siege of Pamplona and the start of Inigo’s conversion. When Tom Layden’s nomination as the next Provincial was announced on the Thursday of Easter Week, some of the brethren linked it with Broken Leg Day. The French launched their final attack on Pamplona on Whit Sunday, 20th May 1521, and the iconic cannonball hit its as-yet-unsaintly target next day. Can anyone recall when was Broken Leg Day, marked by the noviciate Coffee?

Pilgrims ‘harken to the call’

Donal Neary SJ, parish priest of Gardiner St Church, and historian Fergus O’Donoghue SJ led 28 men and women, aged 25-85, on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of St Ignatius, visiting Loyola, Javier, Manresa and Montserrat. There was guided reflection on Ignatian history and spirituality over the five days and, according to Donal Neary, people were surprised at the impact the life of St Ignatius could have 464 years after his death. ”Though the words may be dated, the spirit of singing ‘Ó Thou who harkened to the call’ will remain as echoes in the mind and soul ” he added. Music enlivened the journey, as did the historical input of Fergus O’Donoghue. According to Donal Neary the pilgrimage was ”an uplifiting few days in bad Irish times, guiding us to where real renewal in church and faith will happen – in communal celebration and expressions of faith.”

Manresa events

Manresa Centre of Spirituality has a full programme on offer in the coming weeks. One highlight is Brendan Comerford SJ’s course Insights from the Mystics, which will introduce the thoughts and spirituality of some central figures in the history of Christian mysticism. It begins on Wednesday 21 April and continues weekly for seven weeks. Also prominent in the schedule is Time-out Together for Married Couples, a day of reflection during which married couples can explore, in a quiet, prayerful and confidential setting, their marriage as a sacred journey. The day will be led by Aidan and Jo O’Keefe and by Fr. Myles O’Reilly SJ. Pictured are Paddy Carberry SJ, Manresa director, and Cormac McConnell, project manager, examining the schedule. For more events, read below. Read more »

Eggsellent! Intercultural easter egg hunt

The JRS Ireland Intercultural Easter Egg Hunt in Mountjoy Square Park on Easter Sunday was a great success, according to JRS Ireland National Director Eugene Quinn. Over 120 children and adults turned out from both local and new communities. There was face painting, racing, football, and skipping competitions. Thanking all those who donated eggs or helped out with the event, Eugene Quinn said: “The Easter Egg Hunt provides an excellent opportunity for integration by creating a space for positive social interaction between newcomers and residents in the Inner City.” In Dublin, half of the eggs collected were distributed to asylum seekers living in direct provision. And in Limerick, students from Crescent College Comprehensive collected over 120 Easter eggs, which were distributed to families living in accommodation centres for asylum seekers in the region.

Short notices

• Cherryfield is alive with golden blossoms these days, thanks to the long labours of Brothers Jim Sutton and Brendan Hyland and their Chinese colleague Tom Tom. It is a joy to see that Jim Sutton has recovered sufficiently from his serious illness,  that he is walking with the help of sticks.
• Congratulations to the four Jesuit alumni who were selected for the Irish Under 18 rugby team this season: Stephen MacAuley, Garret O’Sulleabháin and Conor Gilsenan of Clongowes and Aaron Conneely of Colasiste Iognaid.
• Colleen Wong, who has many friends in the Irish Jesuits, alerted us to a chapter on the Jesuits in Hong Kong from 1926 to 1991, written by Cheung Hok Ming, after talking with alumni of the two Wah Yan Colleges. Apparently the author did not know about Tom Morrissey’s account. He reflects: “The Irish order sent altogether around 100 Jesuits to Hong Kong over these years. Now there are only 9 left, but there are 13 Chinese Jesuits. One could do a lot with a team of 20-30 dedicated missionaries.”
• The first English translation of Fr Pedro Arrupe’s Retreat Notes from the summer of 1965, two month’s after his election, has just been published by Way Books. This unique manuscript in Spanish was originally authorised for publication by Fr Arrupe’s successor as Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr Peter-Hans Kolvenbach.  ‘The intelligence of the man is constantly shining through,’ says the book’s translator Fr Munitiz SJ. ’But at the same time, and much more strikingly, a remarkable holiness.  It is a rare privilege to be allowed to come so close to the inner workings of [Arrupe's] mind and heart…’: http://www.jesuit.org.uk/latest/100413a.htm
• Fr. Josef Horehle SJ, aged 48, the founder of the Nativity school in the Czech Jesuit province, died on March 22 after a long illness. He is remembered by many Irish friends from his years as a theology student in Milltown Park.

Forthcoming events

• 17 April: Gardiner Street, Fr. John Sullivan monthly Mass, at 1pm
• 19 April: Gardiner Street, Soul Journey, at 6pm
• 18 April: Day Retreat in  Milltown Park, Dublin 6. For details, contact Lay Retreat Association of Saint Ignatius, Tel: 2180230
• 21 April: Manresa, Insights from the Mystics,  Lecture series running for 7 weeks. For details, contact Manresa Tel: 8331352
• 23-25 April: Slí Eile, Gardiner Street, are holding a weekend on Suicide: Trying to Understand. Details from Noelle: Tel: 8943161

New Irish Provincial appointed

The Jesuit Superior General, Fr Adolfo Nicolás, has appointed Fr Tom Layden as Provincial of the Irish Jesuit Province. He will take up office on July 31st, the feast of St Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits. He is 52 years old and has worked for the past 12 years in Belfast. Born in Dublin, Tom Layden lived in Keadue near Boyle in Co Roscommon until the age of 12 when he went to school in Clongowes. It was there that he first encountered the Jesuits and joined the Order in 1979. See the Jesuit.ie homepage for a video of Fr Tom talking to Conall Ó Cuinn SJ about his work in ecumenism in Belfast. In another video, on YouTube, he speaks about his vocation to the Jesuits. The rest of the press release about the appointment can be read below. Read more »