Domincans Celebrate 800 years in Ireland
The Master of the Dominican Order was in Dublin on Sunday 11 February to help commemorate the eighth centenary of the arrival of the Dominican Order in Ireland.
In 1224, three years after the death of their founder, St Dominic, and nearly eight years after the foundation of the Order in 1216, twelve members travelled from Oxford to Dublin, setting up a priory on the north bank of the Liffey where the Four Courts now stand.
There are now 125 Dominicans in Ireland, of whom 17 are young men currently in formation.
“Today, we thank the Lord for the gift of 800 years of Dominican presence and preaching here in Ireland. Mercy and compassion moved Jesus to do miracles. Mercy and compassion prompted the friars to venture to places far and near to preach Jesus, the Light of the world, lumen gentium, to accompany people so that, with the light of Christ, they may overcome what St Thomas Aquinas calls the twofold darkness of ignorance and sin,” Fr Gerard Francisco Timoner, OP, told the hundreds in attendance at St Saviour’s Priory on Dominick Street in the heart of Dublin city.
“Thanks to God’s unending grace, our Dominican confreres brought and continue to bring the Gospel to countless persons here in Ireland and beyond this beautiful island. It is tempting to think that your endurance and growth as a province concretely indicates how much God loves you. To a significant sense, that is true. But the number of friars and the thousands of people you serve are an indication of how God provides, i.e. foresees, not your needs, but the needs of the Church and the world.
“The past 800 years are a manifestation of Divine providence, of how God provides for his people. God cares for you, God cares for his people through you,” he said.
Gerard Gallagher ((Interim Secretary General AMRI) was also in attendance. He said, “I am happy to be here today representing AMRI. It is great to see all the various members of the wider Dominican family gathered to celebrate an amazing legacy of 800 years on the island of Ireland and their overseas missions too.” ENDS
800 YEARS OF THE DOMINICANS IN IRELAND.
Today Fr Gerard Francisco Timoner O.P. the 87th successor to St Dominic as master of the Order of Preachers (Dominican Order) celebrated mass of thanksgiving for 800 years of the Dominican Order in Ireland. The mass was celebrated in St Saviour’s Church Dominic St in Dublin on Sunday morning. Pic shows Fr Gerard Francisco Timoner O.P. Master of the Order of Preachers (Dominican Order) chatting with Dominican Novices Adrian Fernandes and Eoin Brosnan with on right Srs Natallia from the Dominican sisters Siena Monastery in Drogheda and Mary Emily from the Dominican Sisters in Limerick. Pic John Mc Elroy. NO REPRO FEE. Further Info Bernard Treacy 087-9470563 or media@dominicans.ie
800 YEARS OF THE DOMINICANS IN IRELAND.
Today Fr Gerard Francisco Timoner O.P. the 87th successor to St Dominic as master of the Order of Preachers (Dominican Order) celebrated mass of thanksgiving for 800 years of the Dominican Order in Ireland. The mass was celebrated in St Saviour’s Church Dominic St in Dublin on Sunday morning. Pic shows Dominicans passing a newly unveiled painting by artist William Nathans commemorating the arrival of the first Dominicans in Dublin in 1224. Pic John Mc Elroy. NO REPRO FEE. Further Info Bernard Treacy 087-9470563 or media@dominicans.ie
800 YEARS OF THE DOMINICANS IN IRELAND.
Today Fr Gerard Francisco Timoner O.P. the 87th successor to St Dominic as master of the Order of Preachers (Dominican Order) celebrated mass of thanksgiving for 800 years of the Dominican Order in Ireland. The mass was celebrated in St Saviour’s Church Dominic St in Dublin on Sunday morning. Pic shows Sr Mara Rose OP, Michael Kelly and Ger Gallagher. Pic John Mc Elroy. NO REPRO FEE. Further Info Bernard Treacy 087-9470563 or media@dominicans.ie
