For the Cry of the Earth - Pope's Prayer Intention - September 2024

In a video message accompanying his prayer intention for September, Pope Francis prays that "each of us might listen with our hearts to the cry of the earth and of the victims of environmental disasters and climate change, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit."

By the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostolate of Prayer): https://www.popesprayer.va

To see other videos and content about the Pope’s prayer intentions, go to: https://www.thepopevideo.org/

'Laudate Deum' - an urgent call to action by Pope Francis

As begin the Season of Creation 2024, we look back at  the launch of Laudato Deum on the Feast of St Francis last year.

The Season of Creation will run from 1 September until 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi patron of the environment and ecology,

The theme for 2024 is: To Hope and Act with Creation.  

This six-week seasonal fixture on the Church’s calender was established by Pope Francis in 2015 following the publication of his bestselling encyclical letter Laudato Si – on care for our common home.

"The world sings of an infinite Love: how can we fail to care for it?" - Pope Francis

The late Archbishop Noël Treanor on the 2017 Ad Limina visit of the Irish Bishops

'... a readiness to listen as brothers and sisters to one another ...'

The late Archbishop Noël Treanor on the 2017 Ad Limina visit of the Irish Bishops with Pope Francis. May He Rest in Peace.

Next steps on the Irish Synodal Pathway

Julieann Moran on the on-going work to prepare for the first National Synodal Assembly during the upcoming Jubilee Year which has the theme 'Pilgrims of Hope'

For Political Leaders – Pope's Prayer Intention - August 2024

Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of praying for political leaders, inviting us to join him in praying for this intention this month.

In the video accompanying his message, produced by his Worldwide Prayer Network, the Pope reminds us that we cannot “move ahead toward universal fraternity without good politics,” and to be grateful for “the many politicians who carry out their duties with a will to serve, not of power, who put all their efforts toward the common good.”

Even though “politics doesn’t have a very good reputation” today, Pope Francis invites us to see politics as “one of the highest forms of charity,” in search of the common good.

By the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostolate of Prayer): https://www.popesprayer.va

To see other videos and content about the Pope’s prayer intentions, go to: https://www.thepopevideo.org/

The Synod on Synodality - a work in progress

'... we still have the
training wheels on our bicycles ...'

Julieann Moran @synodalpathway discusses the pathway towards a Synodal Church, ahead of the next session in Rome this October of the #SynodonSynodality

Julieann Moran is the General Secretary of the Synodal Pathway of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
For more info - https://www.synod.ie/

Supporting Christians in the Holy Land - ACN

Michael Kelly from Aid to the Church in Need (Ireland) on how ACN is supporting Christians in the Holy Land through education and employment projects.

For more info - see https://www.acnireland.org/

"It is objectively intolerable ..." Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem on situation in Gaza

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem HB Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa reflects on the situation in the Gaza since the 7 Oct attacks in Israel. While not optimistic, he holds on to hope which he sees as having a purpose in the midst of the suffering.

'What attracted me to Trócaire as a young man ...' - Justin Kilcullen RIP

Justin Kilcullen, the former Exec Director of Trócaire 1993 -2013, while speaking at IEC2012 in Dublin, reflected on what drew him to join Trócaire in 1981.

'... was that from the outset it had been given this justice mandate by the Irish bishops, who on its foundation had said it is our Christian duty to demand that the political authorities always act with justice and responsibility towards the less fortunate countries.'

Through the Valley

A short film on the care of persons in the critical and terminal phase of life inspired by the document “Samaritanus bonus” from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Ordination of Fr Donal Roche and Welcoming of Bishop Paul Dempsey as Auxiliary Bishops of Dublin

Watch highlights of the ceremony from St Andrew's, Westland Row on 26 May 2024.

"She would become the greatest gift we ever received ..." - Anna Buday

Anna Buday, speaking at the March for Life in Dublin on 6 May 2024, celebrates her daughter Esther who has Down Syndrome.

"When we first learned that our daughter has Down syndrome, it felt like our world turned upside down. We were flooded with uncertainties, fears, and questions about what the future held for us and for her. We had no idea she would become the greatest gift we could ever receive .... I implore you, to embrace the uniqueness and beauty that individuals with Down Syndrome bring to our world. Let us stand together in solidarity, fighting against discrimination and advocating for a society where every person, regardless of genetic differences, is valued, respected, and celebrated."