'Go...Do not be afraid....Serve'

Father Paul Thornton, during his opening words of the final Mass of Rio in Dublin said, 'though we have come to the end of this life giving event, this is not the end but rather just the beginning'. Rio in Dublin has been, for all involved, a life altering experience, in one way or another. It began with an idea to have an event that would allow pilgrims at home to experience the atmosphere of World Youth Day and it certainly did that, and more!

One outstanding aspect of the whole event, evident from the initial planning stages right through to the event itself, was how people, from different organisations, backgrounds and cultures, came together and worked together in the Spirit of WYD. This event was a very significant one in the life of the Archdiocese of Dublin and will serve as a sure foundation for the future.

The colour, fun, joy, enthusiasm as well as reverence, respect and prayerfullness of everybody who was there manifested what it really means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. We are the children of the Resurrection and are hearts should be filled with joy as we follow Christ. Pope Francis calls us to 'Go', to 'Not be afraid' and to 'Serve'. As disciples this is our mantra...we receive the Good News to nourish us so that we can better respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters.

A huge thank you must go to all involved in this event, especially our pilgrims. It was a powerful witness to see over 200 young people stay awake all night in prayerful vigil with the Lord. To see them at 4.30am process with candles to the River Liffey to sing Dawn Prayer as the sun was beginning to rise. To see pilgrims of all nationalities chatting, laughing and praying together. To hear people speaking to each other of their faith, their journey, their love of Christ and their desire to serve Him.


As Father Paul said, this is just the beginning. We will harness that energy and build upon it so that it becomes a tsunami of hope in our city, country and world. We need Christ and Christ needs disciples. He calls us each day to discipleship, to follow Him on a path that, although at times difficult, will lead us to become who we were always meant to be. Christ assures us that He will never leave us alone on this path but rather will walk with us every single step.

To finish the words of Pope Francis as he left Rio:

"Dear young friends, as you return to your homes, do not be afraid to be generous with Christ, to bear witness to his Gospel. Bringing the Gospel is bringing God’s power to pluck up and break down evil and violence, to destroy and overthrow the barriers of selfishness, intolerance and hatred, so as to build a new world." Francis

So let us keep the momentum going, stay tuned to our Facebook Page for updates and also to let us know what you feel can be done to 'Go, without fear, and serve'

Br Martin

Meet our Rio in Dublin Patrons

Adopting Patron Saints and Blessed's has been a part of World Youth Day from the start. So, we on the Rio in Dublin Team, have selected some patrons of our own and now it's time to meet them....

St Felix of Cantalice. Felix is probably not well know to most people in Ireland. He is an Italian Capuchin Saint and the Patron of the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People, where some of the events of Rio in Dublin will take place. He was renowned for his simplicity of life, his prayerfulness, his sharp mind and gentle ways. He worked most of his life begging alms on behalf of the Friars and the poor of Rome and was an unofficial spiritual guide to many Cardinals and even Popes. He finished all his sentences by stating 'Deo Gratias' Thanks be to God, and so got the nick-name 'Brother Deo Gratias'.


St Kevin will be well known to anybody who has visited Glendalough, where he founded his Monastery. Kevin was a Tallaght man...born in what is know Kilnamanagh. He began his studies in a Monastery there, which his brother was the Abbott of, but decided that the Lord was calling him to a more austere life of deep prayer and contemplation. So he set off on foot, with a small number of companions, and walked over the Dublin Mountains to Glendalough, where he spent the rest of his life. Legend has it that St Kevin became so wrapped up in prayer that he would stand perfectly still, arms outstretched, for so long, that birds would nest in the palms of his hands!! Makes us think about the time we can't sit still in Church for a few minutes!!

Francis Taylor and Margaret Ball are also known as the Dublin Martyrs and a statue to them stands outside the Pro Cathedral in Dublin. Margaret Ball, was a lay women, whose son, Walter, became a Protestant during Penal Times and later the Lord Mayor of Dublin. Margaret provided safe houses for Bishops and Priests who were being persecuted and in return, her son, now Major, threw her into prison, promising to release her if she renounced her faith, which she didn't. She died in Prison at the age of 70 in 1584. Francis Taylor, a layman, and Lord Major of Dublin, was also imprisoned because he refused to renounce his Catholic faith and accept the British King as head of the Church.He remained in prison until he died in 1621.

Venerable Matt Talbot is well down around inner city Dublin and so people are still alive today who remember meeting him when they were children. Matt was a docker and suffered greatly with addiction to alcohol, he was an alcoholic as we would say now. Long before the 12 step programme of the AA, Matt devised his own, very hard, regime to keep him away from 'the drink'. He his known for his kindness to others though he suffered greatly himself. Matt's approach was based on a total trust in God and God's Mercy. He dies in 1925 on his way to daily Mass and was found dead on a Dublin back street. His remains are interred in Sean Mac Dermot Street Church.

Blessed Columba (Joseph as he was born) Marmion was born very close to where we are celebrating Rio in Dublin and was Baptised in St Paul's Church on Arron Quay (Former home of CYC). We worked as a curate for a time in Dundrum before being appointed a Professor of Metaphysics in Clonliffe College Dublin (Now home of the Office of Evangelisation). He joined a Benedictine Community in Belgium and over time helped found new monasteries in Belgium. Columba was known for his largeness of life, his good humour, kindness to the monks and students in his care and also for his incredible sermons and spiritual writings. He was made Blessed by John Paul 2 in 2000.

St Colmcille was a Donegal man, born in Gartan, near our Capuchin Friary and Retreat Centre at Ards. He was the son of a Chief. His name Colmcille, is a nickname given by his fellow students when he was studying for Priesthood and means 'Dove of the Church', as he sent most of his spare time before the Blessed Sacrament. He left Ireland and founded a Monastery on the Island of Iona, off the Coast of Scotland. Though living in this remote place, Colmcille managed to influence many to 'Go make disciples of all nations' and is attributed as the father of Irish Missionary activity in the world. He died way back in 597.

Each Patron represents a different aspect of discipleship, we join with them in prayer:

St Felix of Cantalice, disciple of charity to the poor  R/ Pray for us
St Kevin, disciple of Christ within us. R/ Pray for us
Francis Taylor & Margaret Ball, disciples of faith  R/ Pray for us
Matt Talbot, Servant of God and disciple of Trust. R/ Pray for us
Blessed Columba Marmion, disciple of God's Word. R/ Pray for us
St Colmcille, Disciple of Mission.  R/ Pray for us

Pax
Br Martin OFM Cap.

Disciples needed...apply within

The theme of this year's World Youth Day (WYD) is a line from Matthew's Gospel (Chapter 28: Verse 19)..'Go make disciples of all nations'. These were Jesus' parting words to his own disciples and at the time of hearing them, I am sure the disciples scratched their heads and said 'How are we supposed to do that then?'

It was only after Jesus sent his Spirit upon the disciples at Pentecost that they were given the ability to go out and bring the message of the Gospel to people. We too have received that VERY SAME Spirit at Baptism and Confirmation. We too have the same abilities, qualities and fears the first disciples had. But what qualities does a disciple actually have..I mean, how would you know one if you met one..or how would you know what to be if you wanted to become one? Here are four suggestions:

1. A disciple knows Jesus. They are familiar with Him, what He is about and His message. This comes about because the disciple takes time to get to know Jesus. Our faith is based upon a relationship with a person, Jesus Christ. You get to know Jesus through prayer and the source and summit of all prayer is the Eucharist. In the Eucharist (Mass), Christ prays through us to the Father...what an incredible thought!! Traditionally, a disciple sat at the feet of their Master listening and learning from their Wisdom...for us we are in the privileged position that our Master, Jesus Christ, is also Our Brother and Our Friend and He IS WISDOM, not just somebody who passes wisdom on.

2. A disciple lives their lives knowing that they are loved by God. This can be a tough one, especially today when we are often surrounded by negative images of God or we are told that to believe in God is old fashioned or just plain stupid. The disciple, however, goes back all the time to point one, because they know, and have, a relationship with Jesus, they also know that they are loved and loved in an immense way. We are loved, totally, as we are right now.....this is hard for us to grasp as we are always striving to be better, to be more than we are....but God loves us totally, just as we are right now. The disciple knows this and lives in the light of this.

3. A disciple loves others as Jesus loves them. Another toughy, I agree. This is the essential message of Jesus..'Love one another as I have loved you' (John 13:34). How did Jesus love us...well, to the point that he was willing to give his life for our freedom. For us, what does giving our lives mean? It can mean being open to others...being compassionate towards others...not judging so fast...being willing to help others out...seeking communion rather than difference..bringing joy and peace to all we meet. Jesus knows that this isn't easy but calls us to do these things especially towards those people we find challenging.

4. A disciple introduces others to Jesus. If you have somebody so great in your life...wouldn't you want others to know about them? Our faith is not one to be lived in isolation. We are part of the Catholic Church and catholic means universal...for everybody. Disciples bring Jesus to others often by their example. St Francis of Assisi said 'preach the Gospel (which means, in other words, go tell people about Jesus) at all times and, if necessary, use words!'

So how do you become a disciple:

1. Get to know Jesus better...build a relationship with Him. The mistake people often make is that Jesus is either seen as a historical figure consigned to books and legends or that he is in a far away place, not in touch with us or what we experience. What does Jesus have to say about this? His response is simple 'I am with you always, even to the end of time' (Matthew 28:20). Jesus is ALIVE, He is HERE and He is REAL.

2. Be patient with yourself. Discipleship is a journey of faith and into faith. The first disciples didn't 'get it' over and over again...arguing about which disciple was the greatest (Luke 22:24), Peter denying he knew Jesus (Luke 22:54 - 62) and Thomas not believing that Jesus had Risen (John 20:25 - 28). Despite all of this, Jesus knew what they were capable of, He (Jesus) believed in them even when they didn't believe in themselves.

3. Get involved. Discipleship involves action. We cannot be disciples in isolation, we need others. Other to bring Jesus to (Evangelisation) and others that we can pray with, work with, laugh and cry with (Communion). There are so many ways to get involved...praying daily, learning more about your faith, reading and studying the Catechism, going to Mass, getting involved in your parish or a prayer group, reaching out to those most in need and of course going to an event like Rio in Dublin is a great start!!

From our Baptism we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit, we are new creations in Christ, we are loved with a bigger L than I can write here just as we are. However you are also commissioned and called to live in accordance with these truths. To be generous of heart, to love others, to help others, to come to know God more, to be thankful even in hard times, to trust, to believe.

The Prophet Micah sums it all up beautifully 'And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God'. (Micah 6:8)

Pax
Br Martin OFM Cap

Welcome....

With just 18 days to go to Rio in Dublin, final preparations and production for the event are well under way. On the 27th of June we had our official media launch with the Arch Bishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, in the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People in Dublin. Over 150 people attended the event from various groups and communities. I was delighted to see some many homeless, clients of the Day Centre, stayed around for the launch and were very enthusiastic and supportive of the event.

My name is Br Martin Bennett OFM Cap, the OFM Cap part means that I am a Capuchin Franciscan Friar...I'm second from the right above!
For the last three months I have been working, with the Office of Evangelisation, on Rio in Dublin and have recently been asked to keep the world informed of how we are progressing.

Registration for the event is open and you can register at : www.evangelisation.ie.

Rio in Dublin will recreate the prayerful and joy filled atmosphere of the WYD vigil and closing mass. We will be joined by Teen Spirit, the Combined World Youth Day Choir, The Dublin Gospel Choir and Elation Ministries. An awesome (and I don't use that word lightly) audio visual backdrop will be provided by Cast Ministries. On top of all this are some core elements of the WYD experience: Cathecesis, Stations of the Cross, Keeping Vigil before the Blessed Sacrament, Workshops in an atmosphere of welcome, that we Capuchins are renowned for.

Thanks for reading....I'll keep you posted!!

Pax
Br Martin