Welcome / Fáilte Romhat!
The Franciscan Abbey in Multyfarnham was founded in 1268 and continues to be an active centre of Franciscan mission in Ireland. The only Franciscan Abbey in Ireland still standing on the footprint of its original foundation, the Franciscan fraternity continues its commitment of service from this special place.
St Blaise
Friday, February 3 is the Feast of St Blaise. Blaise has been popular for centuries in both the Eastern and Western Churches and many cures are attributed to him, notably that of a child who was suffocating through a fish bone being caught in his throat.
He is invoked for all throat afflictions, and on his feast two candles are blessed with a prayer that God will free from all such afflictions and every ill all those who receive this blessing.
A blessing of throats, to mark the feast day, is available in the Friary Church from 11:00am to 1:00pm and 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
Headlines
Homily for 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Christian Ethics and the Beatitudes
In Fr Kieran’s homily for the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, he looks at the Sermon on the Mount, the eight beatitudes or blessings. We might benefit from a short introduction to the Catholic tradition of reflection on what it means to live a good life as a follower of Jesus. In other words, a peek at moral theology down through the years!
“Who do people say that I am?” – a model for all priests?
In these days, we listen at Mass to the words from the Letter to the Hebrews and in this, we hear of the idea of Christ as the High Priest, dying on the Cross. It takes time for the early Christians to think of Our Lord as a priest. When Jesus asks, “Who do people say I am?” the answer centres on his being like a prophet, not a priest. Fr Kieran ponders on the significance of this image in the Church of today.
Prayer of Spiritual Communion
A prayer reminding us that in our fevered lifestyles, Mass can be a place to find peace, lifting us up when we are down and making us strong in every way.
A new wineskin; treasuring the old and embracing new possibilities
In Fr Kieran’s reflection this week, he considers the call from the words of Jesus in the Gospel, that what we need is “new wine in new wineskins” (Mk 2:22). The “wine” referred to is clearly the message of Jesus and it needs to find a home in hearts that are “soft and flexible to accommodate the explosive nature of the gospel teaching.”
Join us for our next ‘Open Space’ gathering
Would you like to join us for our next ‘Open Space’ gathering on Thursday, January 19 at 8:00pm?
Flourishing prayerfully … but not feverishly!
Fr Kieran reflects on the message in St Mark’s Gospel (Mk 1:29-39), the Gospel of the day this past Wednesday. healing the mother-in-law of Peter who was suffering from a fever. Kieran explores this idea of fever and feverish activity, especially the reality of living these busy lives of ours “feverishly” but taking the lesson from Jesus of being confident, self-assured and calm, “all of this due to the time he takes early in the morning to pray to his Father.”
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
At the conclusion of the Mass during the night on Christmas Eve 2022, a presentation was made to one of our beloved friars, John Kealy OFM by the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for his services to Irish music and culture. Here, Paschal Sweeney tells the story of that night.
Our resolutions … or God’s plan?
Fr Kieran considers the practice of New Year resolutions, but who is in control?
Latest Updates
Join us for our next ‘Open Space’ gathering
Our next gathering of the Open Space conversation group will take place on Thursday, January 19 at 8:00pm. You will find us in the 'Bistro' room, to the left of the main entrance to the Friary (as you face the entrance door). The topic for our conversation this coming...
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
The popular Christmas song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" was written in 1963 by Edward Pola and George Wyle. The song was recorded by Andy Williams and remains to this day a Christmas favourite on radio and TV. Through the generations Christmas eve...
Our resolutions … or God’s plan?
New Year is a time for the making of resolutions to improve the quality of our life, based on an evaluation of our lifestyle in the past twelve months, and looking forward hopefully to a new beginning, a fresh start. Listening to people on the radio advocating various...
Participating online via our webcam
We invite you to join us via our webcam for all of our services here in the Friary church. These include our weekday Mass with the Franciscan Community, Sunday Mass (and Vigil Mass on Saturday evening) and our very popular Novena Mass to St Anthony, which is...
News
“Who do people say that I am?” – a model for all priests?
There is a story told about the one-time Archbishop of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid, presiding at a ceremony in the Dublin friary. Processing up the aisle, he noticed something odd about the crucifix over the altar. It featured the person of Christ as usual, but...
Prayer of Spiritual Communion
Lord Jesus Christ, gracious healer of our bodies, minds, and souls, we thank you for the healing power that comes through our reception of you in Holy Communion. In our sometimes feverish lifestyle, when we get all hot and bothered, daily Mass assures us that you are...
A new wineskin; treasuring the old and embracing new possibilities
The Letter to the Hebrews, being read these days at Mass, contains stirring imagery that both console and challenge us. “The Word of God is alive and active, cutting more finely than any double-edged sword” (Heb 4:12). What a dramatic image, alerting us to the real...
Flourishing prayerfully … but not feverishly!
The Gospel readings this week have come from the beginning of St Mark’s account of the life of Our Lord, emphasising His authority, both in word and deed. We hear stories of four remarkable miracles of healing, including a touching scene where Jesus cures Peter’s...
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
The popular Christmas song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" was written in 1963 by Edward Pola and George Wyle. The song was recorded by Andy Williams and remains to this day a Christmas favourite on radio and TV. Through the generations Christmas eve...
From the desk of Fr Kieran OFM
Homily for 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Christian Ethics and the Beatitudes
In Fr Kieran’s homily for the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, he looks at the Sermon on the Mount, the eight beatitudes or blessings. We might benefit from a short introduction to the Catholic tradition of reflection on what it means to live a good life as a follower of Jesus. In other words, a peek at moral theology down through the years!
“Who do people say that I am?” – a model for all priests?
In these days, we listen at Mass to the words from the Letter to the Hebrews and in this, we hear of the idea of Christ as the High Priest, dying on the Cross. It takes time for the early Christians to think of Our Lord as a priest. When Jesus asks, “Who do people say I am?” the answer centres on his being like a prophet, not a priest. Fr Kieran ponders on the significance of this image in the Church of today.
A new wineskin; treasuring the old and embracing new possibilities
In Fr Kieran’s reflection this week, he considers the call from the words of Jesus in the Gospel, that what we need is “new wine in new wineskins” (Mk 2:22). The “wine” referred to is clearly the message of Jesus and it needs to find a home in hearts that are “soft and flexible to accommodate the explosive nature of the gospel teaching.”