Maria Elena Vidal reminds us that the Novena to Saint Patrick begins today, and provides us with a beautiful prayer. The Church in Ireland is in crisis, and the last two generations of Americans of Irish descent are, in alarming numbers, abandoning the practice of the faith of their forefathers.
Read John P. McCarthy's excellent review of "The End of Irish Catholicism?" by D. Vincent Twomey, S.V.D. And pray the Novena.
His Excellency, Bishop Edward J. Slattery of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma has given
Father Mark a special mandate to live under the Rule of Saint Benedict in adoration before the Eucharistic Face of Jesus, offering thanksgiving, intercession, and reparation for all his
brothers in Holy Orders. In this way, Father is preparing the foundation of the new Diocesan Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle. Father Mark is available to the
priests and deacons of the Diocese for spiritual and sacramental support in their pursuit of holiness. He is also charged with the spiritual formation of women who desire to dedicate themselves to spiritual motherhood in favour of priests.
Thank you, Father Mark, O.Cist.. Once on a trip to Lourdes, a little Irish lady said to me about her country: "It's not 'Holy Ireland' anymore." I make this novena every year for those of Irish descent among my relatives who no longer practice the Faith for which our ancestors sacrificed so much.
Coincidentally, today's ( Saturday) Catholic Ireland website, publishes on its news page, www.cinews.ie an editorial from this month's The Word magazine, by Dr. Vincent Twomey on the celebration of St. Patrick's Day in Ireland.
Dr. Twomey's power of positive thinking casts light in many a dark hour. Thanks for your excellent blog, and I would second Terry's earlier call for a book..or two..