April Messenger: Let him Easter in us
Donal Neary SJ’s opening article in this month’s April Messenger reminds us that in the build up to Easter, we are all part of the resurrection. He notes, “When we have faith, when we forgive, help each other, pray and take part in the Eucharist, it is all taking part in the resurrection”. He reminds us of Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins words, “Let him Easter in us, be a dayspring to the dimness of us”. Donal concludes “The resurrection is not just for heaven. It is an ongoing feast”.
Patrick Carberry SJ reminds us of the Pope’s intention for April, that “The use of new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times”. Fr Carberry remarks on the intention saying “With social technology literally only a touch away and access available relatively speedily in almost all areas of the world, this petition is an appeal to announce and act on these issues so as to advance justice among peoples. We pray that people use new technologies to underpin the cause of happiness and call to holiness”.
Fr John Cullen is a priest of the Elphin diocese who works among the homeless in London. His article ‘Mercy: What Mary Knew’, explores Mary the mother of Jesus’ understanding of mercy. He writes “Mary knew the mercy of a baby born in Bethlehem – unnoticed and unknown by anyone except the unnamed shepherds who were deemed as riff-raff, Mary knew mercy as a fire rising from the darkness of death so as to set the world alight with a God of presence and promise.”
Jesuit Father Tony O’Riordan has lived and worked among the people of South Sudan and Syria from 2018-2024. During this time he witnessed immense suffering due to war, political turmoil and extreme poverty. He says “I encountered countless moments that inspired deep gratitude and many that broke my heart”. He now lives in the Iona Jesuit Community, in Portadown, County Armagh. Upon his return to Ireland last year he completed a pilgrimage on foot along the Via Francigena, an ancient route for pilgrims connecting Northern and Southern Europe for centuries. He reflects on this pilgrimage journey in his article ‘To the Peaks of the Alps a Pilgrim’ and says that the promise of solitude was ideal in light of his experiences over the years.
Brian Grogan SJ answers the question “Does much happen at Mass?” He notes he has been celebrating Mass almost daily for more than fifty years now, which makes 18,000 occasions and more!”
In his piece ‘A Life Less Ordinary’, John Scally interviews Emma Brady, now Sister Beatrice, who is in her twenties and is a nun in the Cistercian Monastery in Glencairn. She speaks about what drew her to making the decision to enter the monastery and shares what life is like for her there.
The April Messenger has all its regular features as well, – reflections, scripture, cookery, crosswords, children’s pages, nature focus, and RE:LINK.
