Day 7 — Our Lady’s Shrine at Knock, County Mayo
Sadly, four members of our band of pilgrims were under the weather today. Conor, our tour leader, also had to be absent so that he could attend the funeral of his aunt, Kathleen. We were fortunate that Conor secured the services of a friend and fellow guide, Elva, for the…
Day 6–The Cliffs of Moher and the Franciscan Friary in Ennis
Today, we journeyed to one of the most spectacular sites on Ireland’s west coast, the Cliffs of Moher. They run for about 9 miles and vary in height from 390 feet to 702 feet. As you can see, the day was overcast with a bit of fog, but we had…
Day 5 Galway—City of Tribes – City of Seagulls
Day 5 Galway—City of Tribes – City of Seagulls All of us are coming to grips with the noise of the seagulls that are numerous here. My friend, Len Browne was awakened at 4 in the morning by the distinct (emphasis on the stink) sound of a seagull near her window…
Day 4: St. Ciaran’s Monastery (Clonmacnoise), Homecoming & Galway
Day 4: St. Ciaran’s Monastery (Clonmacnoise), Homecoming & Galway By friar Bob Roddy, OFM Conv. We left Dublin today and journeyed to the ruins of a monastery, university and church founded by St. Ciaran (Kieran) on the banks of the Shannon River in the Irish Midlands in County Offaly in…
Days 2 and 3–Local Friars—Greyfriars and Blackfriars
Days 2 and 3–Local Friars—Greyfriars and Blackfriars by friar Bob Roddy, OFM Conv. Despite our haggard state from Friday and Saturday travel we very much looked forward to attending a regularly scheduled Sunday Mass at a parish, St. Mary of the Visitation, that is cared for by our Conventual Franciscan…
Pilgrims Progress…or lack thereof
Pilgrims Progress…or lack thereof by friar Bob Roddy, OFM Conv. Our band of caravans left Mount Saint Francis at 9:30 am on Friday, July 19, bound for Chicago to meet many of our remaining pilgrims for the Pilgrimage to Ireland. Some of us were apprehensive as there had been a…
Living the Word: Friar Pedro’s Spiritual Reflections on Ordination
The night before my Ordination, as I prepared for bed, I felt a profound sense of peace, fully aware of the significance of the coming day. The following morning, I awoke with that same deep peace, sensing the Lord’s close presence. I understood this as a call from the Lord…
The Word Made Flesh: Preaching the Gospel
When I was a pastor of a parish, a man came to ask me to preach on a topic that was important to him. I said that it was an important topic, but the Church directs me to preach a homily, which means to preach on the readings assigned for…
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