From the Friary

Reflections, news and glimpses of daily life, written by the Friars at Knock.

2 August 2026

18th SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME

Mathew 14:13-21 When you get bad news, what do you do? You step away. You need a bit of quiet. A bit of space. To take it in. That's exactly what Jesus does in today's Gospel. He…

1 August 2026

Ignatian Retreat at Knock Prayer Centre

On 31 July, Fr. Sean Kelly, OFM Cap., was invited to preach an Ignatian Retreat at the Knock Prayer Centre, part of Knock Shrine, one of Ireland's most important places of…

31 July 2026

The Indulgence of St. Mary of the Portiuncula

Every year, the Catholic Church celebrates the Portiuncula Indulgence, a beautiful reminder of God's boundless mercy. It proclaims a simple but powerful truth: God never gets…

25 July 2026

17th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Mathew 13:44-52 In today's Gospel, we notice that Jesus begins with two very short but powerful parables. In the first, a man finds a hidden treasure in a field. In the second, a…

18 July 2026

16th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Mathew 13:24-43 There was a Franciscan friar named Brother Ruffino, one of St. Francis' closest companions. Although Brother Ruffino was a holy man, he was troubled by the…

16 July 2026

The First Person God Wants to Change Is Me

Many years ago, in India, there was a rich man who was suffering from a severe eye pain. He consulted with numerous physicians and was getting multiple treatments. He did not…

16 July 2026

Fifty Years of Faith: Celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Knock Basilica

This year marks a significant milestone in the life of the Church in Ireland: the 50th anniversary of the opening of Knock Basilica. Standing beside the humble parish church…

14 July 2026

St Francis and the Simple Life

St Francis reminds us that a simple life is not an empty life, but one with room for God, creation and one another. Reflection: St Francis discovered that true joy does not come…