Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace! Francis of Assisi "rendered praises and poured forth prayers and offered his devotion to the Mother of Jesus - how many and in what ways, it is not humanely possible to tell." ((II Cel 198) The Feast of the Annunciation is normally celebrated on March 25th but due to an early Easter this year it was transferred to Monday of Low week, Monday 9th April 2018. In a very interesting article by Mark Byford in the most recent TABLET, an international Catholic weekly he points out that in doing research for his new book, 'The Annunciation: a Pilgrim's Quest' he interviewed many senior clerics, theologians, historians and artists asking them what does the passage on the Annunciation in Luke's Gospel mean to them. In the article he gives a number of their responses many of which are worthwhile reflecting upon. At the end of this article the author concludes that for him, "the story of the Annunciation is about God's intention with ordinary people to bring about extraordinary things." As an ordinary person this article prompts me to as the question what is God asking of me. What 'extraordinary' thing is God expecting from me? Perhaps you are discerning your vocation at this time! What 'extraordinary' thing is God expecting of you? Mary responded with a "Yes" to her call. How are you and I responding to our CALL? Let's listen to the voice of the Lord as St. Francis of Assisi did. Sincerely, Pat

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace. On Sunday June 25th through Friday 30th June we the Franciscans of the Irish Franciscan Province hold our Provincial Chapter. We pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire and guide us throughout the week. We ask for your prayers and as always we depend on the prayers of our Poor Clare Sisters and the Sisters of St. Clare throughout Ireland. Pictured on our featured image are some of our young Franciscans:Friars Liam, Damian, Dave and Ronan with some memebers of the Poor Clare Community, Ennis, Co Clare. According to our Constitutions: "It is the responsibility of the Provincial Chapter to examine the present state of life and activity of the Friars of the Province, to search for and propose suitable means for its growth and improvement, to discuss and, by common council, to decide on new undertakings and affairs of major importance and to carry out elections." Art 215 1 Many blessings, Fraternally, Pat

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace! Francis of Assisi is associated with the following phrase: "Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words." At the beginning of this New Year many of us are considering a New Year Resolution so why not try this as a way of living for 2017?? I think we all prefer to see action rather than hear many words. From my experience of ministering with young people discerning their vocation I'm convinced that it's action that impresses rather than words. So let's all try living by example during the coming year. Wishing you and yours every blessing for 2017. Sincerely, Pat Lynch

brpatofm – Page 2 – Irish Franciscans

Q: Experience Our Life Weekend

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace! We had another very successful 'Experience Our Life' weekend in the Franciscan Friary, Killarney, Co Kerry. This time we had two young men who are seriously discerning the 'Franciscan Way'. A weekend generally happens after a couple of meetings with the Vocations Director and if both parties feel that this may the way to go for the person discerning. We received a great welcome from the six novices and all of the Franciscan Fraternity in the Killarney Friary. If you are interested in finding out more about the Franciscan Vocation why not contact me at brpatofm@hotmail.com Many blessings, Sincerely, Pat

Q: A Reflection For Christmas

Dear Friends, As we prepare to celebrate Christmas I recommend that you spend some time reflecting upon this extract from St. Bonaventure's Major Life of St. Francis of Assisi X, 7 "A knight called John from Greccio, a pious and truthful man who had abandoned his profession in the world for love of Christ and was a great friend of St. Francis, claimed that he saw a beautiful child asleep in the crib, and that St. Francis took it in his arms and seemed to wake it up. The integrity of this witness and the miracles which afterwards took place, as well as the truth indicated by the vision itself, all go to prove its reality. The example which Francis put before the world was calculated to rouse the hearts of those who are weak in the faith, and the hay from the crib, which was kept by the people, afterwards cured sick animals and drove off various pestilences. Thus God wished to give glory to his servant Francis and prove the efficacy of his prayer by clear signs." Wishing you and your dear ones a peaceful and very happy Christmas. Fraternally, Pat

Q: CHALLENGE FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW!!!

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace! In the Franciscan Rule our little brother and Founder of our Order, St. Francis of Assisi tells us, his followers: "Whoever comes to them, friend and foe, thief or robber, let them be treated with kindness... They must rejoice when they live among people considered of little value and looked down upon, among the poor the powerless, the sick,the lepers, and the beggars by the wayside." Pope Francis has this to say in one of his sermons: "I urge you to serve Jesus Crucified in every person who is on the margins, for whatever reason; to see the Lord in every excluded person who is hungry, thirsty, naked; to see the Lord present even in those who have lost their faith, or turned away from the practice of their faith, or say that they are atheist; to see the Lord who is imprisoned, sick, unemployed, persecuted; to see the Lord in the leper - whether in body or soul - who encounters discrimination. We will not find the Lord unless we truly accept the marginalized!! What a challenge posed by both St. Francis and Pope Francis!! Are you interested in the Franciscan Way of Life. If you think this might be the way for you why not contact me at brpatofm@hotmail.com Fraternally, Pat

Q: Do You Want To Live The Gospel Way??

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace! St. Francis did not set out to found an Order/Brotherhood/Fraternity. He simply wanted to follow the Gospel literally. As a result men and women were inspired by his lifestyle and within a short time, approximately twenty years after he set out to live this radical Gospel lifestyle, and before he died at approximately forty four years of age, thousands of men and women were following in his footsteps. Men and women continue to be inspired by this little poor man of Assisi. Pope Francis event took his name!! Here in Ireland we are blessed to have young men wanting to live the Gospel - 'THE FRANCISCAN WAY'. Three Irish men were received into our novitiate programme in Killarney on the eve of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. If you are interested in finding out more about our way of life. All my contact details are on the Vocations section of this website. Many blessings, Fraternally, Pat

Q: The Power of Photography

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace! I'm convinced of the power of photography in promoting vocations and recently I came across 'A Photographer's Prayer' by an unknown author in the Irish Catholic: "Oh, god, as I bring my subject into focus, let me remember that I'm creating treasures for some family. Make me sensitive to the qualities and virtues of others, that I may draw out into the light the beautiful radiant belongings of their hearts. Help me to be an artist, collecting the beauty of every soul, the glow of youth, the laughter or tears of each life that is precious in your sight. Between the lights and shadows, keep me from getting out of focus, so that my life and work may be framed with dignity and coloured with contentment. Amen"

Q: World Day for Consecrated Life 2017

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace! Yesterday at the General Audience Pope Francis in anticipation of today's celebration of the Presentation of the Lord, which is also the World Day of Consecrated Life invited people to pray for priests, sisters and brothers belonging to contemplative and apostolic Religious Institutes. The Pope said: "Their life dedicated to the Lord, their charismatic service, will bear abundant fruit for the good of the faithful, and for the evangelizing mission of the Church." The Holy Father asked the faithful to pray that "through their witness of life, they may radiate to the world the love of Christ and the grace of the Gospel." Today I ask you to pray in a special way for Franciscan and Poor Clare Vocations in Ireland and throughout the world. Pope Francis meets Franciscans OFM God bless you all, Fraternally, Pat

Q: World Day of Consecrated Life 2017

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace! Yesterday at the General Audience and in anticipation of today's celebration of the Presentation of the Lord, which is also the World Day of Consecrated Life Pope Francis asked people to pray for the priests, sisters and brothers belonging to contemplative and apostolic Religious Institutions. The Pope said: "Their life dedicated to the Lord, their charismatic service, will bear abundant fruit for the good of the faithful and for the evangelizing mission of the Church." The Holy Father asked the faithful to pray that "through their witness of life, they may radiate to the world that love of Christ and the grace of the Gospel." On this special day I invite you to pray for all Franciscans in Ireland and throughout the world. God bless you all, Fraternally, Pat

11 03, 2019

Experience Our Life Weekend
Gallery
Experience Our Life Weekend

Vocations Blog

Experience Our Life Weekend

brpatofm2019-03-11T20:26:23+00:00

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace! We had [...]

Experience Our Life Weekendbrpatofm2019-03-11T20:26:23+00:00

8 04, 2018

The Annunciation
Gallery
The Annunciation

Vocations Blog

The Annunciation

brpatofm2018-04-08T21:08:30+01:00

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace! Francis [...]

The Annunciationbrpatofm2018-04-08T21:08:30+01:00

23 12, 2017

A Reflection For Christmas
Gallery
A Reflection For Christmas

Vocations Blog

A Reflection For Christmas

brpatofm2017-12-23T22:35:47+00:00

Thus God wished to give glory to his servant Francis

A Reflection For Christmasbrpatofm2017-12-23T22:35:47+00:00

23 10, 2017

CHALLENGE FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW!!!
Gallery
CHALLENGE FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW!!!

Vocations Blog

CHALLENGE FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW!!!

brpatofm2017-10-23T21:23:38+01:00

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace! In the [...]

CHALLENGE FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW!!!brpatofm2017-10-23T21:23:38+01:00

16 08, 2017

Do You Want To Live The Gospel Way??
Gallery
Do You Want To Live The Gospel Way??

Vocations Blog

Do You Want To Live The Gospel Way??

brpatofm2017-08-16T22:47:49+01:00

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace! St. [...]

Do You Want To Live The Gospel Way??brpatofm2017-08-16T22:47:49+01:00

23 06, 2017

Provincial Chapter
Gallery
Provincial Chapter

Vocations Blog

Provincial Chapter

brpatofm2017-06-23T22:38:06+01:00

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace. On [...]

Provincial Chapterbrpatofm2017-06-23T22:38:06+01:00

11 05, 2017

The Power of Photography
Gallery
The Power of Photography

Vocations Blog

The Power of Photography

brpatofm2017-05-11T22:46:00+01:00

Dear Friends, May the Lord give you peace! I'm [...]

The Power of Photographybrpatofm2017-05-11T22:46:00+01:00

2 02, 2017

World Day for Consecrated Life 2017
Gallery
World Day for Consecrated Life 2017

Vocations Blog

World Day for Consecrated Life 2017

brpatofm2017-02-02T20:11:29+00:00

Pray for Priests, Sisters and Brothers

World Day for Consecrated Life 2017brpatofm2017-02-02T20:11:29+00:00

2 02, 2017

World Day of Consecrated Life 2017
Gallery
World Day of Consecrated Life 2017

Uncategorised

World Day of Consecrated Life 2017

brpatofm2017-02-02T19:48:41+00:00

"Pray for Priests, Sisters and Brothers" - Pope Francis

World Day of Consecrated Life 2017brpatofm2017-02-02T19:48:41+00:00

31 12, 2016

New Year Resolution
Gallery
New Year Resolution

Vocations Blog

New Year Resolution

brpatofm2017-02-01T14:19:46+00:00

Warm New Year Greetings!

New Year Resolutionbrpatofm2017-02-01T14:19:46+00:00

brpatofm

About brpatofm