Tag Archives: Reflection

Just recently, on 7th April 2025, the  McGrath Institute for Church Life generously shared a presentation by the Erik Varden, the Bishop of Trondheim, Norway, on “Living with Wounds: The Passion in Theology and in Our Lives”.* In the course of his talk, Bishop Erik said: As Christians we are called to freedom, and to the fullness of joy, and ...

“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be. We are not wise, and not very often kind. And much can never be redeemed. Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happens better ...

This particular Urbi et Orbi prayer (2020) and blessing by Pope Francis were a beacon of hope, a reminder that even when everything seemed dark, God never abandons us. Do not be afraid! Five years later, that moment remains vivid in the Church’s memory. The image of the Pope in the rain, walking with a serene step, has become a ...

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches this year with all the blessings and celebrations that it brings, we give thanks for the life of St. Patrick and the seeds of God’s presence that were sown here in the challenging social and historical landscape of  (c. 385 – c. 461) Ireland. However, Patrick’s life still speaks in our times. Patrick’s life  journey ...

The Christmas of our lives is beginning again and again, in each moment, as we rediscover Jesus with us at each unfolding. Each moment a realisation, a one-off event of welcome and joy to this Divine Presence – God with us always.  Once born amongst us, the seemingly ordinary events take on a resonance and light far beyond ourselves if ...

The early annals of the Presentation Congregation record that the Feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple was the date chosen by Nano in 1782, to receive two young women into the novitiate. Nano’s choice of this day for this ceremony, indicates that this Feast had a special place in her spirituality. Following Nano’s death, her fledging Congregation continued to ...

October 2nd 2024, the Feast of the Guardian Angels marked the opening of the Second Plenary Session of the Synod: A Path of Listening.  On this, the second plenary session of the Synod there is a vibrant presence of religious life there, together with the voices of Sisters from around the world marking this significant ‘synodal’ journey in the life ...

The following is a brief extract from a reflection written by Fr. Yannick Essengue, SJ called ‘Hear Creation’s Cry’ as part of the Laudato Si’ Movement’s monthly prayer guide for May 2024.  You can read the full reflection at this link HERE Also included below are some beautiful and inspiring questions for reflection. All these days, we walk with the ...

Venerable Nano Nagle, founder of the Presentation Congregation died on the 26th April 1784. In her book Nano Nagle: Woman of the Gospel Sr. Pius O’Farrell includes a eulogy to Nano, attributed to Sr. Ursula Kavanagh: “What will become of the innocent orphans, hundreds of whom she drew from vice and ignorance? What will be come of the sick, naked ...

At the tomb on Easter morning, Mary of Magdala recognises Jesus at the sound of her own name, ‘Mary’. She responds with the fullness of love and faith. In all her vulnerability, at this moment, having gone to seek out Jesus, Mary receives her apostolic calling from Jesus.  He tells her not to remain there but to: “Go, find my ...