Articles

In this new podcast series well-known author and lecturer on Ignatian Spirituality, Brian O’Leary SJ, answers simply and clearly some of the many questions asked about the practice of ‘spiritual direction’, also known as ‘spiritual accompaniment.

Indeed one of the questions he addresses is the different titles assigned to the ancient practice of walking and assisting a person on their ‘spiritual’ journey. And the foregoing sentence gives rise to another vexed question  – what do we mean by ‘spirituality? The answer is illuminating.

This series of short and informed responses are not just a result of Brian’s academic endeavours but also come from his long years of practice as a spiritual director himself. He has journeyed with hundreds of people from all walks of life who have come to him for guidance, wisdom, and support.

Brian addresses other queries also such as what is the difference between spiritual direction and counselling, and practical questions such as ‘how much does it cost?’  The first question in this short podcast series is a fundamental one – “What is spiritual direction?

Scoil Iognáid pupils – ethos in action

December 15, 2016

Pupils in Scoil Iognáid have been making the headlines on foot of their novel fundraising campaign to help the homeless

Read more
Céad míle fáilte for Pope Francis

November 28, 2016

When Pope Francis visits Ireland it won't be the first time he has set foot on Irish soil

Read more
Community alternatives, not imprisonment

November 9, 2016

A newly published report from the CSO on prison and probation recidivism shows necessity for systemic change to reduce re-offending, says Jesuit Centre

Read more
‘Be ecclesial, not clerical,’ Pope tell Jesuits at GC36

October 24, 2016

Pope Francis set a precedent when he chose to meet with Jesuit delegates at GC36 in their own curia, instead of having them go to meet him

Read more
‘From Easter Week to Flanders Field’

April 15, 2015

John Delaney SJ walked the streets of Dublin during Easter Week 1916 and served as a chaplain in WWI. His story is told in Jesuit historian Thomas Morrissey's latest book.

Read more
The King is Dead: Long live the King?

February 20, 2013

"We have become accustomed to speak of the 'Supreme Pontiff', of a 'monarchical-style' papacy, of Roman ‘hands-on’ intervention world-wide.  But it was not always so and need not be so"....

Read more
The mind of Benedict

July 6, 2012

Michael Paul Gallagher SJ, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome, was back in Ireland recently to deliver a lecture on the theology of Pope...

Read more
Reflections on the Sobrino Notification

July 6, 2012

Michael O’Sullivan has taught liberation theology at third level and with community groups for over 20 years and has lived and worked with the economically poor in El Salvador and...

Read more
God who labours with us

July 6, 2012

July 2006: This article is taken from a talk given by Fr Gerry O’Hanlon SJ at a seminar jointly presented by The Jesuit Centre for Faith & Justice and The...

Read more
Getting real: ‘Deus Caritas Est’

July 6, 2012

February 2006: Cathy Molloy sees the encyclical Deus Caritas Est as a fine instance of the Church “getting real” about matters which concern ordinary people, both in their personal lives and...

Read more