Taizé visit to Dublin

Among those involved in the arrangements for the Province Assembly on Saturday 12 April was Father Damian McNeice. A priest of Dublin diocese, Damian is now Archbishop Martin’s Master of Ceremonies. He is currently involved in preparations for the forthcoming visit of Brother Alois, the prior of Taizé, to Dublin on Friday 25 April 2008. “It’s the first visit of the prior of Taizé to Ireland since Brother Roger was here in 1985.” he explained. It is part of the Taizé community’s worldwide ‘Pilgrimage of Trust’ which has seen them recently visit places as diverse as Kolkata in India, Cochabamba in Bolivia, Cambodia, Geneva and Canada, inviting young people to their distinctive style of contemplative prayer.

When Brother Roger was killed in August 2005, many messages of sympathy and condolence were sent from Ireland to the ecumenical monastic community. The Irish visit is is prompted by these and by the blossoming reconciliation on the island of Ireland. The Evening Prayer for young people with Brother Alois and other members of the community will take place in  Saint Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 at 8:00 p.m. on Friday 25 April. A similar Evening Prayer will take place in Saint Ann’s Cathedral, Belfast on Saturday 26 April at 8:00 p.m. For further details see www.taizeireland.com or email:[email protected]

Damian previously enjoyed working with two Jesuits, Fathers John Dardis and Bruce Bradley, in his role in the Archdiocese of Dublin Communications Office. He recalls, “I learnt a great deal from them both and have a lot of happy memories.”