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National Franciscan Pilgrimage Led by Fr. Bernard Jones O.F.M. Commissary to the Holy Land 6TH – 14TH OCTOBER 2016

The Irish friars wish you Easter Blessings galore! And we pray that during this Jubilee Year of Mercy the Risen Lord may bring fresh joy and new hope into your lives and homes. Pope Francis tell us: "The Risen Jesus brings newness to our lives

Our dear brother, Fr John Bosco O'Byrne died peacefully in his sleep in Cork friary on 15 March. He was 85 years of age. John Bosco had spent his long life as a friar and priest giving whole-hearted dedicated service to Christ and His people.

Pray with the FRIAR App This Lent Prayer, fasting and almsgiving - these are the pillars of Lent. During this time of grace join us every day on the FRIAR app. Each day we will post a special Lenten Good Deed to help you make this season of renewal more focused, more prayerful, more Franciscan.

Fr Pierbattista Pizzaballa OFM is head of the Franciscans in the Middle East. The friars of the Custody of the Holy Land are active in Israel and Palestine, but also in Egypt and Syria. A friar was recently abducted in Syria. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) met the Custos in Jerusalem to discuss the prospects of Christians in Syria and the Middle East five years after the beginning of the “Arab Spring”.

In January Provincial Minister, Hugh McKenna OFM, and Liam Kelly OFM spent time with the friars in Zimababwe and South Africa. The Custody of the Good Shepherd in Zimbabwe is linked with the Irish Province, founded as it was by Irish missionaries.

Pope Francis made a surprise visit on 4 January to the Italian hill town of Greccio where, centuries earlier, St. Francis created the first nativity scene. The visit to the town included a stop at the Sanctuary of the manger scene (“Santuario del presepe”), where the Pope met with members of the friars who live there. He prayed before a 15th century fresco depicting the nativity scene of Greccio on one side, and the nativity of Greccio on the other.

The Irish Friars pray you have a beautiful Christmas. My you and your loved ones experience all the Joy our Saviour brings. Our Minister General, Michael Perry OFM, in his Christmas message writes of the gift of Mercy that has come among us in Jesus.

Check out these beautiful Franciscan Christmas cards. The images are from the Harry Clark stainglass window in Killarney friary. They are available from our 'shop' on this website. Only €6.50 for a pack of four cards.