Pilgrim progress- a disciple on a journey!

To see the artist of this image Grant unto us, O Lord, nerves of steel that we may dare to sing a new song - and teach others to sing it too. Grant unto us, O Lord, iron hands that we might grasp the nettle of new music. yet, grant unto us, O Lord, velvet fingers that we may touch tenderly the sensibilities of Your people. Grant unto us, O Lord, feet light as feathers that we may tread softly on the eggshells placed in our path yet, grant unto us, O Lord, firm footsteps that we might follow where You would have us go. Grant unto us, O Lord, occasional failing memory that we may forget the harsh criticisms of our taste in music yet, grant unto us, O Lord, memory clear as crystal that we may remember the joy - and comfort - that our words and music bring. Grant unto us, O Lord, the tongues of angels that we may create harmony of discord. Grant unto us, O Lord, shoulders of Teflon that the mud that shall be cast shall not stick. And above all else, dear Lord, grant unto us space an

Photo credit:Vatican website I have to confess that I was like a little child waiting for Christmas this morning as I waited for the Mass of Canonisation on Vatican Television. A series of circumstances meant that last night we still  had no EWTN or other holy channels and no Internet (thanks to a national outage with EIR!) and it seemed that we wouldn’t be able to follow the great event either on TV or Internet. Lo and behold the Internet returned and we were able to watch the Mass live from Vatican City presided over by Pope Francis. Today our Pope declared as saints in the Church six new models for us to follow. All very diverse, young and old, men and women, priests, religious, laity- each one of them followed Jesus totally. They are: Pope Paul VI, Oscar Romero, Francesco Spinelli, Vincenzo Romano, Maria Catherine Kasper, Nazaria Ignazia of Saint Teresa of Jesus, and Nuncio Sulprizio. For nearly 20 years one of them in particular has been a strong presence in my life- Osc

“Only the heart touches hearts. We influence people in proportion to our love for them.” (Blessed Columba Marmion). Today, 3rd of October,  in the Irish Church we remembered Blessed Columba Marmion. As an Irish diocesan priest in the Dublin Archdiocese he felt called to the monastic way of life. He served in Dundrum which is just up the road from us here in Blackrock. He entered the Benedictine Maredsous Abbey several years after being ordained a priest. In 1909 he was elected abbot of Maredsous Abbey and served in that capacity until his death on January 30th, 1923. One of my favourite books is a composition of letters written by him, called "Union with God". He wrote to people who sought his spiritual counsel with questions about prayer, faith, temptation, suffering, and the struggles of daily life. Marmion excelled in the art of letter-writing — his advice was always simple and direct, yet profound. Last Sunday 30th of September we were privileged to be part of the so