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Homily at Fr Joseph Doherty CSsR RIP Funeral...

joseph doherty cssr rip

Father Joseph Doherty, C.Ss.R. - A Farewell from a Friend

Dear family of Fr Joseph and friends,

People say there is a page in the Gospel for each of us. One, in particular, is a source of great hope and consolation. It tells the story of an old man, Simeon, who lives on a promise. He is unusual because his hopes are ahead of him, not behind him. He is not fascinated by the past – he’s too interested in what’s going on now. The English poet Philip Larkin explored old age in his poem The Old Fools:

Perhaps being old is having lighted rooms
Inside you head, and people in them, acting…
People you know, yet can't quite name; each looms
Like a deep loss restored.

That is where they live:
Not here and now, but where all happened once.

Simeon is not living in lighted rooms in his head where all happened once. This venerable pensioner is alive to the here and now, waiting for the one who will be his consolation and the consolation of all peoples. In spite of the arithmetic of his years, he inclines forwards not backwards; he hungers for new signs of God’s presence, and waits the day when he can experience God’s presence in the flesh.

His stubborn waiting is rewarded. One day Mary and Joseph bring their child to the Temple. Luke’s Gospel paints a wonderful picture: the old man takes the newly born child from the young mother and holds him in his arms. Old age welcomes into its arms the fragility of God. Simeon prays the prayer of happy old age, the Nunc Dimittis. Through his old age you hear fresh wonder; through his wrinkles you hear poetry. In the old translation:

“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,

according to thy word;

for mine eyes have seen thy salvation

which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of thy people Israel.”

It was clear to Simeon that no woman or man or child would ever have to face life alone. In all the moments of life, the times when we are hurt and haunted, the times when we feel lucky and graced, Christ would be there. More than this: Christ would be there at the moment of death. And that was why Simeon was not afraid to die. He could depart in peace because he knew that the child he held for a few moments in his arms would one day hold him in an everlasting embrace.

From Buenos Aires to the Vatican...

papafrancesco 2022 10

The Autobiography of Pope Francis Brims with Humanity, Compassion, and a Call to Action for a Fractured World

Pope Francis has always been known as a man of the people. From the slums of Buenos Aires to the grandeur of the Vatican, his life has been a testament to resilience, empathy, and faith. In his autobiography Hope, Francis takes readers on an intimate journey through the pivotal moments that shaped him – not as a spiritual leader but as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a man deeply rooted in family, community, and a tireless pursuit of justice.

At its heart, Hope is a story about how the small, often unnoticed decisions of history can change everything. It is a story that begins long before the Pope himself, in the hills of Italy, where his grandparents faced a choice that would define their lives – and, eventually, the lives of millions.

A Ship That Almost Sank a Dream

One of the most gripping moments in Hope is the story of the SS Principessa Mafalda, a ship that set sail from Genoa in October 1927, destined for South America. Described as “the Italian Titanic,” the ship tragically sank off the Brazilian coast, claiming the lives of hundreds of migrants seeking a better future.

Francis writes with vivid clarity about how his grandparents, Giovanni and Rosa, had planned to be on that voyage. “My grandparents had bought their ticket for that long crossing,” he recalls. “But they didn’t take it. Hard as they tried, they couldn’t sell what they owned in time. In the end, reluctantly, the Bergoglio family was forced to exchange their ticket and delay their departure.”

It was a twist of fate that saved the family from a watery grave. “You can’t imagine how many times I have found myself thanking Divine Providence,” Francis reflects. His grandparents’ delayed journey would eventually take them to Argentina, where they began anew—a journey marked by resilience, sacrifice, and faith.

Roots in Migration, Lessons in Humanity

For Francis, the story of his family’s migration is not merely personal; it is deeply symbolic of the struggles faced by millions of migrants today. His reflections on migration are among the most poignant passages in the book. “People still went,” he writes of those who left Italy for America. “Out of poverty above all; sometimes out of anger; for a change of fortune; to escape from the tragedy of a world war… or in search of a better standard of living.”

The journey was rarely easy. Francis recounts how his grandmother Rosa stitched the family’s valuables into the lining of her coat to protect them from theft during their voyage. “She wore that coat even in the searing heat of Buenos Aires, as if it were her armour,” he writes. “She was a luchadora – a fighter.”

This sense of resilience and determination has left an indelible mark on Francis. It is why, as Pope, he has spoken so fiercely against the “globalisation of indifference” that he believes fuels the suffering of migrants today. “Why them and not me?” he asks, a question that reverberates throughout the book.

A Grandmother’s Influence

Among the many figures who shaped Pope Francis, none loom larger than his grandmother Rosa. Her strength, faith, and practicality are woven into the fabric of his life. “She was the one who sealed my religiosity,” he writes, recalling how she introduced him to prayer and the values of the Gospel.

Rosa’s influence extended beyond the spiritual. Francis recalls her courage in confronting a thief who tried to rob her café during World War I. “She didn’t think of running away. Instead, she grabbed a broom, went downstairs, and, shouting and beating him as hard as she could, sent the thief packing,” he writes with evident admiration.

Her resilience in the face of adversity became a blueprint for Francis’s own approach to life. “From her, I learned that holiness is found in perseverance, in facing the trials of life with dignity and faith,” he writes.

Fr Joseph Doherty CSsR RIP...

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FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Requiem Mass will be celebrated for the repose of the soul of

Fr Joseph Doherty CSsR

Tuesday the 28th of January at 11.30

in the Church of

St Mary’s Monastery, Kinnoull, Perth.

Fr Joseph’s body will then be laid to rest in our monastery cemetery

immediately after the Mass.

All are most welcome.

Let us remember him with gratitude and pray for the repose of his soul.

Requiescat in pace.

Vivat in aeternum.

CSsR Pilgrimage 2025 - London to Napoli and the Amalfi Coast...

Come on Pilgrimage with us this year 2025 where we will walk in the footsteps

(and get the coach too, so don't worry)

of St Alphonsus Maria de'Liguori and St Gerard Majella CSsR.

The places we will visit are beautiful, stunning and prayerful.

The scenery is among the best in all Italy!

Our accomodation will be in Sorrento in a very fine hotel.

Simply email

and we will get to back you with more particular details.

Pilgrimage in the footsteps of Ss Alphonsus & Gerard...May 2025

Join us!

cssr italy pilgrimage 2025

italy pilgrimage poster

Email:

Rev Fr Louis de Buggenoms CSsR... died 1882...

fr louis de buggenoms

In a conversation recently with Sr Patricia Gribbin SND, the subject of Fr Louis de Buggenoms came up and she shared a number of stories that she learned when doing her own research, for her Order, the Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.

Our Fr de Buggenoms CSsR was the confreres who brought the SND to the UK - and we thank God for the amazing work they have done and currently do.

He was also the confrere who brought our Redemptoristine Nuns to Ireland.

Indeed he did great work in this Province of London and the Irish Province.

Sr Patricia SND gave this short article, written way back, to whet our whistle! Hopefully there will be more stories from our dear Sr Pat.

Enjoy!

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FIFTY YEARS AT MOUNT ST. ALPHONSUS, LIMERICK.

1853 - 1903

REV. FATHER LOUIS DE BUGGENOMS CSsR.

We pass on to give some details of the Father who had the most important and difficult part in the foundation.

LOUIS DE BUGGENOMS was born in Liege, Belgium, on the 2nd March, 1816. He was of excellent family and had every opportunity of cultivating the more than ordinary talent with which he was endowed.

His surroundings at College were dangerous and he paints a sad picture of the morals of the youth at that time. But God had given him an extraordinary gift of faith, and this, with certain circumstances favourable to him, pre- served his soul from contamination. Indeed, if it be permitted to say so, his faith would seem to have been excessive. As a mere child he had realised, so intensely, the presence and greatness of God that, left to himself, he be- came full of fear. This state of mind had its advantages and disadvantages ; its advantages because it kept him from sin, its disadvantages since it made his spiritual nature unduly hard.

14th January we celebrate Bl Peter Donders CSsR...

Peter Donders was born in Tilburg, Holland, on October 27, 1809, and as a boy he felt called to the priesthood. His family was poor, and his schooling was cut short so that he could learn weaving, which was his father’s trade. At the age of 22, he entered St. Michael-Gestel Seminary. Ordained a priest on June 5, 1841, Donders set out for Paramaribo, Surinam, a Dutch colony.

For 14 years he ministered to the city’s 2,000 Catholics, and regularly visited the plantation slaves, the military garrisons, and the indigenous people who lived along the rivers. In 1856, he volunteered to minister to people with leprosy at Batavia, where he remained for the next 28 years.

In 1866, he joined the Redemptorists, professing his vows on June 24, 1867. These vows gave him a more vivid sense of the apostolic missionary community, and he left Batavia more often to minister to other pastoral needs.

Donders died among his lepers on January 14, 1887. He was mourned as their benefactor and invoked as a saint. Pope John Paul II beatified Donders on May 23, 1982. Blessed Peter Donders is buried in Paramaribo.

Prayer in Honor of Blessed Peter Donders

Healing God, you showed your wonderful mercy toward lepers through Blessed Peter Donders, your priest. By his example and prayers, may we serve you through our loving care for those in greatest need. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

January CSsR Meeting...

At the beginning of this year 2025 the Redemptorists from London and a few confreres representing Zimbabwe were together in Kinnoull Monastery, Perth, Scotland, to meet, talk, discuss, pray and recreate together. Many things were discussed, including the important subject of Safeguarding.

Our days together came to an end with a wonderful mass celebrating

230 years of Priestly/Religious Profession

between four of our confreres.

Fr Charles Corrigan CSsR - 60 years of Priestly Ordination

Fr Timothy Buckley CSsR - 60 years of Religious Profession

Fr Andrew Burns CSsR - 60 years of Religious Profession

Fr Maurice O'Mahony CSsR - 50 years of Religious Profession

We had other confreres among our number celebrating 10 years Ordination and 20 years Ordination - they will need to wait a few more years before we can really celebrate them!

Vivant in aeternum!

province 2025

Our Four Jubiliarian confreres...

jubilee 2025v

Online Triduum for the feast of St. John Neumann in English (2nd to 5th January)...

Fr Ivel Mendanha CSsR., one of our General Consultors, speaks to us...

"Greetings my dear brothers and sisters, confreres, Redemptorist Lay partners on mission, associates, and collaborators,

On the 5^th of January we, the Redemptorist family celebrate the feast of St. John Neumann. The Life of St John Neumann is a shining example of one who was a pilgrim of Hope. We have just entered into this New year 2025, a special year in the Catholic Church, a Holy Year, a Jubilee Year with the theme of this Holy year as Pilgrims of Hope. The Holy Father in inaugurating the Holy Year with the Bull of induction entitled SPES NON CONFUNDIT. “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5).

On this occasion, we have another Online Triduum preached by Fr. Ivel Mendanha, CSsR, General Consultor for the preparation of the feast. So, each of these days in preparation for the feast we will reflect on the following themes.

Day 1: St. John Neumann a pilgrim of Hope

The Life of St John Neumann is a shining example of one who was a pilgrim of Hope. We have just entered into this New year 2025, a special year in the Catholic Church, a Holy Year, a Jubilee Year with the theme of this Holy year as Pilgrims of Hope. It is in this context we reflect today on St. John Neumann as a pilgrim of Hope. He knew what it was to hope and he never gave up despite the many challenges and obstacles that he had to endure all his life. Let us reflect on a few of them. St. John Neumann new suffering. He experienced it personally in a myriad of ways. Yet, he never gave up. He was steadfast in his HOPE. The sufferings were many in his life: First, The loneliness in the seminary in Prague, away from his own hope town. Yet, he never gave up but kept hoping that one day he will be a priest. Second, His desire to be a missionary priest in the USA. Third, his life as a missionary diocesan priest in upstate New York Fourth, His life as a Redemptorist was a joyful one as he went about proclaiming the Good News in mission preaching as a missionary of Hope especially among immigrant people. Fifth, without warning, in 1852, Pope Pius IX commanded the Redemptorists to accept Neumann’s appointment as bishop of Philadelphia Finally, Neumann hoped that one day if it was God’s will, he would see his family. But the little Bishop’s service came to an abrupt end, for on January 5, 1860, while on his usual rounds, he collapsed in the street and died. In 1921 Pope Benedict XV declared that Neumann practiced all the Catholic virtues to a heroic degree. Pope Paul VI beatified Neumann on October 13, 1963, and canonised him on June 19, 1977. He was the first American man to be elevated to sainthood. Neumann was truly a pilgrim of Hope all his life until his life pilgrimage ended with his going home to the God of Hope and uniting with the Lord in heaven.