Attribution to Fr. Hugh Fenning

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Fr. Hugh Fenning OP passed away on Wednesday the 25th of July 2018. Colmán Ó Clabaigh OSB kindly sent the following message to the province which we share to recognistion the attribution of all the work Fr Hugh has done over the years.
Dear Father Provincial and Dominican Brethren
I’have just now learned of Dr Hugh Fenning’s death. As I am unable to get to the funeral I wanted to let you know, as his confreres, that I am praying for him and that he was remembered at the Conventual Mass in Glenstal today. He was a larger than life character and one who was enormously supportive of my research for The Friaris in Ireland 1224-1540. I greatly valued his combination of erudition, criticism, kindness and occasionally acerbic wit. He made many contributions to the history of Irish Catholicism and of the Order of Preachers. I think particularly of his edition of Benedict O’Sullivan’s Medieval Irish Dominican Studies for which he painstakingly tracked down every source and reference that O’Sullivan used but never cited. This was very much labour of love for him and along with his own publications will long be the standard reference works for Irish Dominican history.
Dr Bernadette Williams has also asked me to convey her sympathies to you. She too corresponded with Fr Hugh in preparing her edition of the chronicle of the 14th-century Dublin Dominican, Friar John Pembridge.
Like you I feel his loss keenly and pray that he now joins the chorus of those who he researched so diligently in singing the Salve Regina and O Lumen Ecclesiae at the Wedding Banquet of the Lamb.
In Dno
Colmán Ó Clabaigh OSB

What happened in 1968? – Ratzinger Symposium

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“What happened in 1968?”, a talk of the Ratzinger Symposium given by Prof.  Tracey Rowland member of the International Theological Commission.
The  Ratzinger Symposium met on Saturday 9th of June 2018 in Saint Saviours Priory in Dublin from 11am to 1pm.

Credo Weekend – this weekend

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This weekend there is another “Credo Weekend” calling young Catholics (18-35 yrs) to join us for a weekend of Catholic Doctrine, Discussion, Prayer & Community.

This time the theme for the weekend in ‘Creation’ and a variety of talks will be given connected to this subject.

The weekend will be the 15th to the 17th of June in Glencomeragh Retreat House, Co. Waterford (The Holy Family mission). The cost of the weekend is 80 euro.

Contact Fr. Brian Doyle O.P. to book a place or to get more information. The phone number is 01 889 7610 or use the contact form to send an email:

“Always be prepared to make a defence to any one who calls yo to account fir the hope that is in you” – 1 Peter 3:15.

The Visitation of Our Blessed Lady to Elizabeth

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Today, the last day of Mary’s month, we celebrate the Visitation of Our Blessed Lady to St Elizabeth. On the occasion of this meeting between the two cousins, both women were with child. Our Holy Mother carried the Divine Lord within her womb and St Elizabeth was pregnant with St John the Baptist.

The famous meeting is depicted in this stained glass window at St Saviour’s on Dominick Street. As it is the last day of May, today presents a fine opportunity to greet Our Blessed Lady by making a visit to a grotto or any of her shrines in a church near you. She is always eager to hear our prayers. Given that today’s feast also celebrates the meeting of Our Lord and St John the Baptist, both of whom were in their mother’s wombs, let us pray especially that with Holy Mary’s maternal protection we will continue to defend the life of unborn children until we have gained final victory over the forces of evil.

(From the St. Saviour’s Facebook Page)

Diaconate Ordinations 2018

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Brother Matthew Farrell and Br Jesse Maingot, members of the Irish Dominican Province, were ordained deacons in St Saviour’s church, Dublin, yesterday, 2 April, by Bishop Denis Nulty.

Matthew Farrell is a native of Daingean, Co. Offaly. Jesse Maingot is a native of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. Bro. Jesse does his formation as a Dominican in Ireland as the Dominican Priories in Trinidad and Tobago are part of the Irish Province.

Both men joined the Order in 2012, making profession of solemn vows (lifelong commitment) in 2017. Brother Matthew and Brother Jesse will continue their studies in theology as part of the journey towards being ordained priests in the summer of 2019.

Video of the Solemn Profession of Sr. Cathy OP

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On the 2nd of February 2018, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, sister Mary Cathy Howard O.P made her Solemn vows as a Dominican Contemplative Nun in the Siena Monestry in Drogheda. Please find a short video encapsulating this event below.

Master of the Order Opens New Classroom Block at Newbridge College

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On Friday, 23 March 2018, Fr Bruno Cadore, Master of the Order, blessed and opened a new class-room block, at Newbridge College, in the town of Newbridge, Co. Kildare, 49 km south-west of Dublin city centre. The school founded, with 50 pupils, as a boarding school for boys in 1852, is now a co-educational, secondary day-school with 884 students and a teaching staff of 73. Despite falling numbers, Dominican friars remain active in the College as chaplains and as teachers of religious knowledge, as well as serving on the Board of Governors.

The new block, of 17 additional rooms, is named the Walker Building, after Fr Dominic Walker who, with Fr Nicholas Freyne, founded the college in response to the educational needs arising after Catholics in Ireland and Britain were granted emancipation from the Penal Laws.

Speaking to the assembly of teachers, students and guests, Fr Bruno reflected on the values described in the College’s statement of its vision and its educational philosophy. The College is ‘dedicated to promoting, in co-operation with parents and guardians, the religious, spiritual, moral, academic, aesthetic, cultural, physical, emotional, and social development of all the students committed to its care.’ Further, the College seeks to impart ‘values for living in a way that shows respect for all that is noble and true. It acknowledges that each of its students is uniquely gifted and it seeks to provide each one of them with curricular and extra-curricular opportunities that are suited to his/her aptitudes and aspirations.’ Fr Bruno saw in this commitment to cooperative action and to being actively respectful of the unique gifts of each individual an ongoing expression of the Dominican ethos. And he wished parents, students and staff continuing success.

 

Another Credo Weekend

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Recently, on the 23r to 25th of February six Dominican friars, two Dominican sisters (from St. Saviour’s Priory, Limerick) and about 20 young adults gathered in Knock Shrine, Co Mayo, for our 3rd Credo (which means I believe) weekend to date.

Over the last year, Dominican brothers have invited young adults from all around Ireland to come on a weekend retreat of prayer, study and recreation. Credo weekends focus on teaching the Catholic faith with a particular emphasis on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The most recent Credo weekend saw talks given by a variety of speakers on a range of topics. Sister Maura Grace from Limerick spoke about the concept of happiness, Fr. Ciaran, from Sligo, gave a very interesting talk on the history of philosophy and Fr. Brian, Fr. Alan and Br. Matthew, all from Dublin, gave informative talks on the topics of The Last Things, Grace and the Eucharist, respectively.

Many university students attended the weekend, particularly from Trinity College where Fr. Alan is chaplain. The Divine Office and Eucharistic adoration also formed part of the weekend schedule as well as plenty of free time for relaxation and a very enjoyable social get together on Saturday evening for a drink and some friendly chat. The weekend was very much enjoyed had by all who attended and we hope to have our next Credo event in the month of June in Glencomeragh, Co. Waterford.

Credo weekend

An examination of the proposals to amend Art.40.3.3

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On Wednesday 7th February the Commission for Studies organised a study day for the Irish Province of the Dominican Order on the issue of the referendum to amend the Irish Constitution which proposes to remove the right to life of the unborn.

Five speakers addressed the study day:

  • Fr. John Harris OP of the Studium presented the Thomistic understanding of human law.
  • Prof. Gerry Whyte of Trinity College Dublin presented the profound legal ramifications of the proposed amendment.
  • Ms. Maria Steen, a barrister at law and an accomplished journalist and social commentator presented the political background to the amendment and its disturbing effects on culture politically, socially and medically.
  • Finally two brave mothers from Every Life Counts, Tracy and Vicky, shared their own personal stories as parents of children who were diagnosed with a terminal condition. They put a very human face on the issues that we will have to preach about and give guidance on.

We invite you to listen to the talks and to reflect seriously on the issues involved and support the campaign to save the lives of babies by helping to defeat the referendum to repeal Article 4.3.3. of the Irish Constitution.

The first talk is by Prof. Gerry Whyte: “An examination of the proposals to amend Art.40.3.3”

The political background to the proposed amendment to the Irish Constitution

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On Wednesday 7th February the Commission for Studies organised a study day for the Irish Province of the Dominican Order on the issue of the referendum to amend the Irish Constitution which proposes to remove the right to life of the unborn.

Five speakers addressed the study day:

  • Fr. John Harris OP of the Studium presented the Thomistic understanding of human law.
  • Prof. Gerry Whyte of Trinity College Dublin presented the profound legal ramifications of the proposed amendment.
  • Ms. Maria Steen, a barrister at law and an accomplished journalist and social commentator presented the political background to the amendment and its disturbing effects on culture politically, socially and medically.
  • Finally two brave mothers from Every Life Counts, Tracy and Vicky, shared their own personal stories as parents of children who were diagnosed with a terminal condition.  They put a very human face on the issues that we will have to preach about and give guidance on.

We invite you to listen to the talks and to reflect seriously on the issues involved and support the campaign to save the lives of babies by helping to defeat the referendum to repeal Article 4.3.3. of the Irish Constitution.

The second talk is by Ms Maria Steen, presenting the political background to the amendment and its disturbing effects on culture politically, socially and medically.