Michael McGuckian SJ

October 21, 2014 in Irish Jesuits and colleagues
Michael McGuckian SJ

Michael McGuckian, from Cloughmills, Co. Antrim, was born on January 1st 1946, attended the diocesan seminary of St MacNissi and did a degree in Applied Mathematics at Queen’s University Belfast before joining the Society in 1967. He is one of three brothers in the Province, the others being Barney and Alan.

After formation, Michael first worked as Director of the Retreat House in Rahan, Co. Offaly (1979-81), and then taught mathematics and religion in Crescent College Comprehensive (1981-96). Following a sabbatical in Rome he taught theology and Church history in St Peter’s Major Seminary in Zomba, Malawi from 1996 to 2005, and was the Rector of the seminary for a short while.

On his return from Africa he worked for three years in the administration of the Community and the Church in Galway, then four years in Limerick as a chaplain in the University Hospital and returned to Galway as Rector in 2014.

Michael has always had a particular interest in theological research and has published one book, The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: A Search for an Acceptable Notion of Sacrifice (2005), and a number of articles on various topics. Michael also has a special interest in liturgy and is a member of the Jungmann Society of Jesuit Liturgists.