On the 14th August four novices were received into the new International Novitiate in the friary in Killarney: Daraigh Quinn, Drew Keeley, and Philip McMahon – all Irish and Edvinas Jurgutis from Lithuania.
The following day, the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, there was a Solemn Opening of the new International Novitiate. The friary, which over many years had been the Novitiate of the Irish Franciscans, is now an inter-provincial Novitiate, with Novices coming from Ireland, Great Britain, Germany and Holland.
At the ceremony of inauguration at the friary the Principal Celebrant of the Mass was Fr Antony Jukes OFM, the Novice Director. Taking part were Friars Rob Hoogenboom ofm (Holland), Cornelius Bohl (Germany), Patrick Lonsdale (Great Britain), Andrius Dobravolskas (Lithuania), Aidan McGrath (Ireland). The Homily was preached by Fr Caoimhin O’Laoide OFM (Definitor General, Rome).
The newly appointed community at the Friary are Friars Liam McCarthy, Guardian, Antony Jukes, Vicar, Chris Connolly OFM, Claus Scheifele OFM from Germany, Lars Frendel from Sweden, and P.J. Brady OFM.
Friars Lars, Antony and Liam speak on Kerry Radio about the new international novitiate.
The Friary in Killarney celebrates 150 years this year – opened in 1867. After 150 years it is a happy event that it now becomes an Inter Provincial Novitiate House of the Order.
