Spirituality

Exchanging worldly for missionary ambition

March 20, 2006

A bare-bone summary of the fascinating and eventful life of one of Christianity’s greatest saints, St Francis Xavier, a life with a profound message and a long legacy. 2006 is...

The origins of the Novena of Grace

February 20, 2006

by Donal Neary SJ The Novena of Grace originated in Naples, Italy in 1643, when a Jesuit, Fr Marcellus Mastrilli, was cured through the intercession of St Francis Xavier, who...

Remembering James McPolin SJ

January 26, 2006

January 26, 2006 Remembering James McPolin SJ Michael O’Sullivan’s homily at the funeral of James McPolin SJ by Michael O’Sullivan SJ About two years ago Jimmy said to me that...

Not so long a way from Clare to here

December 20, 2005

Pat Coyle recounts her heart-lifting experience of addressing novena congregations brought together by the Pioneers in Kilrush and Shannon, Co. Clare – over 1000 people in all! The lovely west...

Decoding ‘The twelve days of Christmas’

December 20, 2005

Barney McGuckian examines a theory that the popular Christmas song ‘The twelve days of Christmas’ might have been a 16th century coded message invented by Jesuits to communicate the tenets...

Finding Ireland’s favourite saint

December 20, 2005

It all came down to two great men – St Padre Pio and St Anthony – but which one of them would be crowned Ireland’s favourite Saint? ‘Gerry Ryan Show’...

To travel through the world

December 20, 2005

In the first of a series of Messenger articles, Gerry Bourke prepares us for the 500th anniversary of St. Francis Xavier’s birth (April 7, 2006) by recalling a life spent...

“You didn’t know Ignatius was Irish?”

December 20, 2005

Loyola Productions has just brought out a film to commemorate the first Jesuits, AMDG – A World is Not Enough. Paul Campbell describes the project and notes that the actor...

Jubilee year off to a great start

December 20, 2005

The Jubilee Year celebrations for St Francis Xavier began last Saturday with an impressive and well-attended Mass in Gardiner Street. Pat Coyle describes the atmosphere and the highlights. St Francis...

The making of a saint

November 4, 2005

November 4, 2005 The making of a saint The story of the recently canonised Alberto Hurtado SJ by Fergus O’Donoghue SJ Alberto Hurtado and his wife Ana Cruchaga were a...

The Pope and the President

April 20, 2026 - Fr. Donal Godfrey SJ, reflects on the recent remarks of Pope Leo XIV and the response to them from Donald Trump and his administration.

‘A privilege to be part of it’

April 15, 2026 - The celebratory event to mark the historic Silver Jubilee of postgraduate studies in Applied Spirituality was a special day for all involved.

An attitude of gratitude

April 14, 2026 - Gratitude: The solution to worry, Kierkegaard claimed, was to make a leap of faith and put our trust in God’s enduring love.

April Messenger: Hope, renewal and growth

April 13, 2026 - In these uncertain times, the April Messenger offers rest and reflection, with themes of hope, renewal, gratitude and transformation in everyday life.