There have been no posts for a few days. I have been unable to write or to give priority to this site. A terrible tragedy befell my good friend Tom O’Gorman. Many people in Ireland, and indeed worldwide, will be aware of his death due to the media coverage surrounding it. I have known Tom for more than 20 years. He was a very good and loyal friend. He was …
Uncategorized
January 16, 2014
Monday, November 11 is Armistice Day on which we remember those who died in the Great War, including Fr Doyle. It is not much of an event in Ireland, though we are reminded of it whenever we watch British news channels – all newsreaders seem to wear the poppy for weeks beforehand. But November 11 this year will be historic for those devoted to Fr Doyle for another important reason…The …
November 8, 2013
Prayer for the election of a new Pope: O God, eternal shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care, grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. …
February 28, 2013
You seem to be a little troubled at finding yourself cold at prayer and as if our Lord had abandoned you. Were it otherwise I should feel uneasy; for this is one of the best signs that you are really pleasing to God, since He puts your fidelity to the test by sending desolation. There is no happiness to be compared to the sweets one tastes at times in prayer; …
February 12, 2013
Today’s news about the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI was a real shock. Despite the fact that he has long hinted that popes should resign if they can no longer do the job, I don’t think that many people thought he would actually take that step. I have no quote from Fr Doyle that sheds any light on this situation. But it strikes me, given his insistence that duty must …
February 11, 2013
Almost the first thing which caught my eye at the grotto was our Lady’s words: “Penitence, penitence, penitence”. On leaving, I asked Jesus had He any message to give me. The same flashed suddenly into my mind and made a deep impression on me. COMMENT: Today is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Fr Doyle visited the shrine in November 1912, and today’s quote summarises his spiritual experience …
February 11, 2013
Don’t be one of those who give God everything but one little corner of their heart on which they put up a notice board with the inscription: “Trespassers not allowed”. COMMENT: One of the greatest hallmarks of holiness is complete abandonment to God’s will. It does not come easily. That is why martyrs are remembered with special reverence – they have literally given everything to God, without reserve. For …
February 8, 2013
Each morning at Holy Communion invite Jesus, with all the love and fervour you can, to enter into your heart and dwell there during the day as in a tabernacle, making of your heart a living tabernacle which will be very dear to Him. COMMENT: The Second Vatican Council tells us that the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life”. All of the saints and great …
January 19, 2013
St Ignatius The Spiritual Exercises begin with a meditation on the Principle and Foundation of our existence. Any serious Christian should be able to concur with the principles St Ignatius outlines at the beginning of the Exercises. However, accepting these principles brings home to us the full extent of our obligations before Almighty God. It is one thing to accept them, quite another to wholeheartedly live our lives in accordance …
October 11, 2012
Blessed Columba Marmion I cannot deny that I love Jesus, love Him passionately, love Him with every fibre of my heart. He knows it, too, since He has asked me to do many things for Him, which have cost me more than I should like to say, yet which with His grace were sweet and easy in a sense. He knows that my longing, at least, even if the strength …
October 3, 2012