Ireland. Our Lady Queen of Ireland Province (IRL) shares three events experienced during the months of February and March 2026:
“The Richness and Opportunities of the Third Age” was the title of the gathering dedicated to the care of health and well-being, held on 14 February in Castletown. The morning offered an opportunity to pray and reflect together on Gospel passages that foster inner growth and the capacity to face the realities of life in these present times. The sharing of reflections and experiences was deeply profound and enriching, serving also as a source of inspiration and mutual encouragement. There was ample space, both in small groups and during an open discussion, to share the specific concerns that are currently weighing on everyone’s hearts. A PowerPoint presentation provided useful guidelines regarding resources and support available at both the local and provincial levels. A communal lunch also formed an integral part of the day, offering a chance to meet informally and share with each other.
“The Spirituality of Well-being: Connections with Our Lenten Journey”
On 7 March, the FMA gathered for a morning of reflection and prayer led by Deirdre Ni Chinnide. Deirdre lives on the Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland, where she runs a retreat house. She possesses many gifts and talents that inspire reflection and prayer, both with individuals and groups. The morning featured music, Scripture readings, poetry, silence, sharing, and prayer. In its simplicity, the day proved to be a time of connection, solidarity, and the joy of being together. After lunch, each one departed for her destination, carrying with her a renewed hope for her own journey.
“Discerning the Prophetic Vision”
Continuing their journey of studying and implementing Integral Ecology, the FMA organized a conference at the Tipperary Conference Center focusing on Prophetic Presence and its implications for their mission, exercised through the gift of the Salesian Charism to educate all those with whom they come into contact to care for our “common home.” Father Diarmuid O’Murchu, a Missionary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC), highlighted to the conference participants the urgency of a prophetic witness that is not “sensationalistic,” but rather creative, caring, and, above all, capable of evolving into something that remains in the hearts of those who walk alongside the FMA. Diarmuid reminded the group that “in the New Testament, prophetic focus shifts from exceptional individuals to exceptional communities.” Three qualities that define the prophetic experience are, “commitment to love for God, the courage to condemn every form of oppression, and openness to visions of an alternative future.” The participants departed with the resolve to embrace the demands of Integral Ecology through their own prophetic presence wherever they live and work.
