Mary II and William III

The vigorous resurgence of Catholic life and activity that marked the reign of James II was as brief as that monarch’s rule. A sudden turn in political events in England deprived James of his throne. He was deposed in the so-called Glorious Revolution (1688–1689), led...

Temptation and Testing

In two brief sentences, St Mark informs us, in a rather matter of fact way, what happens to Jesus after his Baptism in the Jordan. St Mark’s Gospel says: “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness, and he remained there for forty days, and was tempted by Satan”...

Touching and Being Touched

The language of the senses can be understood literally, metaphorically, or both together, as in the Gospel accounts of Jesus touching people in need of healing and allowing himself to be touched by the sick. The literal meaning of touching refers to laying one’s hand...

Bishop Patrick Tyrrell, OFM

Dr Patrick Tyrrell, OFM, Bishop of Clogher, and later of Meath was an alumnus of Multyfarnham friary. This son of the ancient and chivalrous house of Fertullagh, Westmeath, joined the Franciscan Order at an early age in Multyfarnham. He went on to become one of the...

What time is it?

The readings for Mass on the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time draw on our common human experience of being in time and moving through space.  I suspect that the Holy Spirit, with one eye on the coming of a special time, Lent – no ordinary time, is challenging us as...